DIY bench

Of course, every self-respecting gardener will provide himself with a place where he can take a break from various work. In a suburban area, such an object is usually a garden bench. This is a universal design that you can create yourself without much investment or difficulty. However, you must first know what is useful for this process and what types of construction there may be. This is what will be discussed in this article.

How to make a bench with your own hands?

The very first thing you need to decide is such things as parameters, the type of future device, where you want to place it. And then directly prepare a sample in the form of a drawing and those tools and materials that will be needed to complete the work.

Here we will try to consider in detail the most common types of garden structures made of wood, logs, pallets, and benches with a back.

Cantilever

The presented option is considered the most practical and versatile. Such a structure is as simple as possible to create and does not require much effort or raw materials. This usually takes 10-15 minutes of free time.As for the assembly itself, it is the formation of a series of beams from the flooring. This way the seat is formed. In this case, fastening is only necessary to ensure that the bench does not creep apart without a certain amount of pressure.

However, each example of a garden bench has its drawbacks. And this one is no exception. So, despite its simplicity, manufacturing can lead to inconvenience in operation. An example is the fact that the flooring in use is constantly subjected to an incomprehensible load, and this is what leads to possible damage. The process of finding one is not particularly favorable: it is uncomfortable to place your feet. In order to avoid such defects, it is recommended to pay attention to the following variation.

Volumetric beam

In order to construct such a bench, it does not require as much expense as in the previous example. A distinctive feature is that there is no need to use a metal fastener to ensure reliability. In addition, you can do without special carpentry joints. Therefore, in addition to the lightness of the unit itself (the length can reach two meters, however, the weight is light), one can note the same advantage in the production process. It is possible to attach the backrest to the main part of the structure.

However, it is worth accepting the upcoming difficulties in the process. This is because the distribution load can upset the balance of the structure. The pressure that it experiences provides additional work for the screed in a horizontal position. Therefore, we can conclude that the provision of comfort is limited. But if we talk about durability, then the performance is not inferior to the next competitor.

Box-shaped

This design is capable of evenly distributing loads, unlike the above models. It is possible to subject it to both constant and variable loads. This is considered its main advantage. The backrest can be attached in various ways, the main thing is that all actions meet certain requirements. In addition, in the event of a sudden defect, you do not have to worry about its continued suitability for use.

Even in such conditions, the structure is capable of fulfilling its purposes. Therefore, in interaction with a box-shaped bench, repairs are not urgent. In addition, there is the opportunity to “swing” in terms of creating a design. But do not forget that in every device, sooner or later, shortcomings can be discovered. Here they are expressed in large dimensions and slight difficulty in reproducing the design.

Support-beam

The manufacturing process will require a minimum amount and types of material. All you need to purchase is a solid board. It can be used for the manufacture of sidewalls and supporting parts. Its thickness should be 40 millimeters and its length up to two meters. As for the width, the desired figure is no more than 45 mm. In general, you can not neglect the use of metal fasteners; construction glue will serve as its replacement.

REFERENCE! It is important to understand that this will negatively affect the durability of the device. If you're a design enthusiast, there aren't a ton of options here.

But there is an opportunity to do wood carving or use decorative overlays. Among the disadvantages, we can note the inconvenience for the back, that is, the lack of support for it. And it is also impossible to attach it.And with the correct calculations and design of the support beam, the legs will hardly tighten.

Truss

Well, the final version of the construction of the bench is achieved by using oblique connections. First of all, this is necessary in order to ensure uniform distribution of loads.

IMPORTANT! It is worth understanding that there cannot be more than two active connections.

In addition, by using this method, you can save a significant amount of material. Thus, if the bench has a back, then the side supports are of great importance. To ensure that the tension at least somehow spreads, it is recommended to use jibs. They must form a rigidity pattern with the original materials.

How to choose the most suitable type

It all depends on the accepted purpose of the future structure. It is determined directly by the user; it is better to find approximate drawings in advance. Personal preferences and capabilities also play a big role. The simplest is a cantilever garden bench. However, when making it, you have to come to terms with its inherent shortcomings. To provide yourself with a reliable unit that can be used for a long time, you should think about a truss device.

What materials will be needed

Using an example, we will analyze in detail the entire process of building the simplest possible device. Since the invention using plywood is widespread, we will focus on it. To do this, you need to have plywood sheets in stock, and it will be better if they meet the following requirements:

• High resistance to moisture. This is necessary so that the bench is resistant to various adverse weather conditions.
• Product thickness.It is important that the indicators are at least 15 millimeters.
• The size of the material depends on the general parameters.
• In order not to neglect additional processing, it is worth purchasing already polished ones in advance.
• Well, the last thing is the appearance. Of course, it is desirable if he is attractive.

In addition, you need to acquire a pair of stands, one canvas for the seat and back for possible decoration, zip ties, an electric jigsaw, screws, and construction adhesive for additional fastening.

Instructions on how to make a standard bench with your own hands

Elementary is the distribution of plywood into individual parts and their assembly. However, to make sure everything is done correctly, an algorithm is presented that should be executed sequentially.

1. First you need to decide on the variety. More on this in the above paragraph.
2. After this, the dimensions are assigned, first of all, length, width, height and other characteristics of the dimensions.
3. The next step is to determine the presence or absence of armrests and backrests. And then you can start developing the drawing. It is needed for orientation in the process.
4. When all the materials and tools are ready, the necessary parts should be made. To do this, you need to cut them out using a jigsaw.
5. Then you can proceed directly to the assembly. All elements are fastened to each other using screws. To give maximum strength, it is advisable to use glue. That is, all small products are placed on the named product.
6. After the main stage, the finished structure is usually decorated. To do this, you can make a pattern and sew the upholstery. In addition, it is possible to paint or simply cover it with stain.
7. Finally, the resulting unit should be tested for its capabilities.

Recommendations

After the whole process, you usually want to quickly put up the completed structure and relax. But a question arises about the location of the position. The most favorable zone is considered to be the one in which the blooming garden is located. To admire the flowers and various plants available. Thus, you can easily forget about the bustle of the city and enjoy the picturesque landscapes. It’s very good if you have a pond or small lake on your property, then you can place the device next to it.

In addition, they are often used near a path or near a house. If you decide to decorate not the area itself with this structure, but exclusively it, then the best option would be to use decoupage. To do this, first coat the garden bench with a special varnish, then cut out the desired pictures and apply them directly to a non-dried surface. Thanks to this method, the device will acquire a special individuality that will emphasize the presence of the bench.

ATTENTION! For infrequent use, you should pay attention to the mechanisms that allow the structure to fold. With their help, it can be easily moved from one place to another.

For inspiration, you can look at the most successful wooden homemade products in photos or videos from other owners and design something similar.