How to build a floating bench?

Samc1234

Hi,

I am wanting to use a piece of stair thread timber around 1.8m long, 30cm deep and 6-7cm thick to create a floating entry way bench.

my house has steel framing and thinking ahead what hardware/precautions would I need to ensure the bench can hold the weight of a person. 

I have seen the rods people use to create seamless floating benches, but would these hold the weight of a person, as well as how many would I need? 

JacobZ

Hi @Samc1234,

The major roadblock you're going to have is the fact that you have steel framing. Steel framing is not great at supporting lateral loads, like those that would be applied to it by a floating bench.

Typically, when steel-framed structures are built, and there is prior awareness that things need to be hung from the frame, timber studs are inserted into the channel of the steel stud to strengthen them. This is because the natural grain structure of timber is far better at supporting lateral loads than the thin steel that is used for framing.

Unfortunately, without additional strengthening or the approval of the manufacturer of your steel framing, a floating bench is not going to be possible.

If you were willing to open up the wall and add timber to the steel framing to strengthen it, then it would be a more viable option, but I'd still be inclined to contact the manufacturer of the steel framing for their guidance or speak with a licensed builder for their assistance.

It might seem overkill, but I have seen steel-framed walls that have buckled under loads like this, and the damage can be devastating.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob