🖼️
The project:
Add a little wow to your alfresco, patio or front entry with this modern outdoor tiled bench. Built using treated pine framing, a recessed plywood tile insert and sturdy half-lap legs, this bench is designed to withstand the elements while looking stylish in any outdoor entertaining area.
The tiled centre can be customised to suit your own style using almost any outdoor-rated tiles from Bunnings, making every bench completely unique.
- Materials:
Timber
- 35 x 75mm H3 Treated Pine Framing Timber
- 12mm Structural Plywood (Marine grade preferred)
Joinery
- 8mm Timber Dowel
- Selleys Aquadhere Exterior Wood Glue
- Selleys Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive
- Zenith 10G x 40mm Timber Screws
- Zenith 10G x 75mm Timber Screws
Tiling
- Decor8 200 x 200mm Barcelona Queenscliffe Spruce Floor Tiles (used in this build and cut into quarters for a mosaic effect)
- Mandala Art Snow Petals Mosaic Glass Tiles (used as the decorative border)
- Dunlop Flexible White Grout
Finishing
- Exterior Timber Primer
- Exterior Paint
- Exterior Timber Filler
- Variety of Sandpaper (60 to 240 grit)
- Tools:
- AEG Compound Mitre Saw
- Table Saw (or Ryobi Circular Saw with Straight Edge Guide)
- Ryobi ONE+ Drill/Driver
- Ryobi Random Orbital Sander
- Ryobi Bandsaw (or Ryobi Jigsaw)
- Router
- 8mm Drill Bit
- Clamps
- Tape Measure
- Combination Square
- Pencil
- Paint Brush
- Tile Cutter
- Grout Float
- Sponge & Bucket
- Step 1:
Measure, Mark & Cut Your Timber
Start by cutting all of your timber and plywood to size.
Using your tape measure and combination square, carefully mark every cut before heading to the saw. Taking your time here makes the entire build much easier later on.
Cut the framing timber using the mitre saw and cut the plywood with either a table saw or circular saw.
Once everything is cut, lay all the pieces on the floor to make sure nothing has been missed before beginning assembly.
- Step 2:
Assemble the Bench Frame
Lay the two long side rails on a flat surface and position the end pieces between them to create the outer frame. Apply Selleys Aquadhere Exterior Wood Glue to each joint before securing the frame with 75mm timber screws.
Measure diagonally from corner to corner to ensure the frame is square before tightening all screws.
Next, use the left over plywood to cut internal support lengths. Install the internal support pieces evenly along the length of the bench using 40mm timber screws and wood glue. These supports help prevent the plywood and tiled top from flexing over time.
Finally, apply Selleys Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive around the top of the frame, position the 12mm plywood neatly inside the frame, and clamp everything together until the adhesive has cured.
- Step 3:
Build the Crossed Legs
Each leg is made from two pieces of framing timber joined using a half-lap joint.
Using a router, remove half the thickness from each piece where they intersect.
Test fit the joint before applying glue.
Once happy with the fit, glue the joint together and reinforce it with two 8mm timber dowels using a drill & exterior wood glue.
Leave the glue to dry completely before handling.
The result is an incredibly strong leg that looks much more professional than simply screwing pieces together.
- Step 4:
Shape & Install the Legs
Place each completed leg against the underside of the bench and trace where it meets the frame.
Using either a Ryobi Bandsaw or Jigsaw, carefully remove material from the top of each leg until it fits snugly against the bench.
Once satisfied with the fit, glue and screw each leg into position from inside the frame so no fixings are visible.
Stand the bench upright and check that all four feet sit flat on the ground before fully tightening the screws.
- Step 5:
Sand, Fill & Prepare for Paint
Now it’s time to make everything look seamless.
Fill screw holes, dowel holes and any gaps with exterior timber filler.
Using a Ryobi Random Orbital Sander, smooth every surface, paying particular attention to:
- Mitred corners
- Rounded edges
- Filled holes
- Leg joints
- Timber joins
The more time spent sanding, the better the finished paintwork will look.
- Step 6:
Prime & Paint
Apply one full coat of exterior timber primer over the entire bench, including underneath and inside any exposed areas.
Once dry, lightly sand with fine sandpaper before applying two to three coats of exterior white paint.
Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next.
The bright white finish contrasts beautifully against the patterned blue tiles and gives the bench its modern coastal appearance.
- Step 7:
Lay the Tiles
This is where the bench really comes to life.
For this build, I used:
- Decor8 200 x 200mm Barcelona Queenscliffe Spruce Floor Tiles, cut into quarters to create a unique mosaic-style centre.
- Mandala Art Snow Petals Mosaic Glass Tiles around the outside to create a decorative border.
Before gluing anything down, dry-lay all the tiles until you’re happy with the pattern.
Once you’re satisfied, apply Selleys Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive to the plywood and press each tile firmly into place.
Leave the adhesive to cure fully before grouting.
- Step 8:
Grout & Finish
Mix the Dunlop Flexible White Grout according to the instructions.
Using a grout float, press the grout into every joint, ensuring there are no air pockets.
After around 10–15 minutes, wipe away the excess grout using a damp sponge, rinsing frequently.
Once the grout has cured, buff away any remaining haze with a clean cloth.
- Step 9:
Give the entire bench a final clean and stand back to admire your work!
- Step 10:
Enjoy!
