Bench building advice

[nip]

Plan on building some benches in a few weeks. Looking for some advice, tips, design suggestions. My better half wants them to be aesthetically pleasing. I like the small slat tops but Im open to other designs. Any fresh ideas? What would you have done differently if rebuilding your own benches?

 

[fraser67]

There are a few things to take into consideration:
Your experience.
Your budget.
Your space.
How many trees do you have?
Consider incorporating a watering system.
Sun and shade options
I would google pics of benches. Look on this site for what others are doing. I've done some. Redwood and treated lumber...but your locale might offer different options...
Put together some pics. Consult with your significant other then...make a plan. Can it be done in stages...or all at once?
I'm happy to help...it's one area I have a lot of experience... Building things that is ...lol.
Good luck,
Jonathan

 

[thomas22]

If termites are a problem in your area I would stay away from Redwood for your benches. I live in California and borers are a big problem. The termites started on my benches and moved into my trees.

 

[edprocoat]

Next bench I build will be made with the plastic boards made from recycled plastic. They look like real wood, cut and nail like real wood yet they never rot or warp. They are waterproof.

ed

 

[Mike123]

Also check YouTube ! Orlando bonsai. That's what I did. Pretty simple and good for what I needed. Step by step.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I like a combination of individual stands and benches. Benches are more versatile, stands highlight individual trees.

My benches are high enough that I can store my trees under them to mulch in for the winter.

I am fortunate to have space enough that benches face basically 4 directions, so I can rotate the trees, while still seeing the front.

A good mix of sun and shade is ideal, so you can move them around based on needs.

Build them taller for viewing. Mine are between 3'-4.5' high.

Make the design simple and repeatable.

Be sure your water source is close by.

Cement them in, be sure they're level! You don't water pooling on one side of the pot year after year.

If you're like me, you'll wear out any grass in front of them over time, so I removed the grass, installed a stone curb, and used DG/1089 as the surface. It's easy to weed and leaf-blow.

If/when I redo anything, I would have weather-sealed the wood, or used a synthetic. The spacing on some of my stands is a little off, so I'll probably change that over time, and I like the look of 6x6 posts in the berm better than 4x4 posts everywhere else, so I'll probably move to 6x6.

 

[Nybonsai12]

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?9545-Cheap-Easy-Bonsai-Benches!!!

I made these and have been happy with them. There are prettier options, but these do the job, look better than cheaper metal racks and really don't break the bank.

 

[ABCarve]

These were made made with chimney block, ceramic flue liner, cast stepping stone and treated wood. The chimney block and stepping stone was colored with a concrete stain. I'll probably stain the treated wood this year. The flue liner comes in a number of sizes, so there is some choice. Construction adhesive can be used to secure the pieces together, however, mine aren't fastened..........yet?

 

[ABCarve]

The bases are with poured concrete tubes and the wood is Brazilian redwood handrail cap which I got from a deck contractor as surplus ($1/ft). It's very dense (sinks in water), just about rot proof, and is used as a attractive replacement for treated wood.

 

[lordy]

mine are not much to look at due to being almost completely from salvaged lumber, but I do have a couple of suggestions.
I keep my benches mobile. That is to say that they are able to be relocated to where I want them in my yard.
I use 4x4 corner posts, and attach 2x4 rails between them to hold 2x2 slats, which are not attached. Over the years, the 2x4 rails have begun to sag under the weight of heavier trees, so I would change those to 2x6 in the future.
Another variation on the 2x2 slats is 1x4. Just depends on your preference of aesthetics. Both are more than enough to remain rigid and not sag.
Consider sun blockers such as lattice on top of 8' corner posts. Or shade cloth somehow suspended above.
Lastly think about what BVF recommended about viewing height. 4 f4et is economical due to lumber dimensions, but you can get 12' corners and move the bench height up a bit for not a lot of extra money.
Here are some of mine from about 5 years ago. I had recently replaced the railing on my deck and used a lot of that lumber for the bench components.
EDIT: The sagging 2x4 rails seem to happen only on 12 foot benches. None of the 8 footers seem to have that problem.

 

[lordy]

These were made made with chimney block, ceramic flue liner, cast stepping stone and treated wood. The chimney block and stepping stone was colored with a concrete stain. I'll probably stain the treated wood this year. The flue liner comes in a number of sizes, so there is some choice. Construction adhesive can be used to secure the pieces together, however, mine aren't fastened..........yet?

I think your fluetiles are a great looking and secure way to show your trees. Great job!

 

[Poink88]

The bases are with poured concrete tubes and the wood is Brazilian redwood handrail cap which I got from a deck contractor as surplus ($1/ft). It's very dense (sinks in water), just about rot proof, and is used as a attractive replacement for treated wood.

Very nice place you got there...I love it.

This stood out for me though. Imagine the possibilities...

 

[ABCarve]

Very nice place you got there...I love it.

This stood out for me though. Imagine the possibilities...

I have too many of those niwaki already. Keeps me hopping, especially this time of year. You know....sometimes they should just be left alone......the knees are just getting nice..

 

[Poink88]

I have too many of those niwaki already. Keeps me hopping, especially this time of year. You know....sometimes they should just be left alone......the knees are just getting nice..

I totally understand.

 

[Dav4]

These were made made with chimney block, ceramic flue liner, cast stepping stone and treated wood. The chimney block and stepping stone was colored with a concrete stain. I'll probably stain the treated wood this year. The flue liner comes in a number of sizes, so there is some choice. Construction adhesive can be used to secure the pieces together, however, mine aren't fastened..........yet?

The bases are with poured concrete tubes and the wood is Brazilian redwood handrail cap which I got from a deck contractor as surplus ($1/ft). It's very dense (sinks in water), just about rot proof, and is used as a attractive replacement for treated wood.

Wonderful looking yard/landscaping/hardscaping/water featuring...love it!

 

[nip]

There are a few things to take into consideration:
Your experience.
Your budget.
Your space.
How many trees do you have?
Good luck,
Jonathan

Jonathan- A little more info about the situation... I have some minor woodworking and construction experience, so I think I can handle most bench structures given the proper planning. Budget is not a big concern, only because I just need one or two benches. I would really like to use some reclaimed wood, but that can be tough to find. Cypress is common around here, as well as cedar and of course pine. Teak and mahogany are too nice to use for entire structure. I could maybe use a more expensive/exotic wood for the facade? I have about two dozen small trees. I do grow mostly from seed so I will probably have a different area for propagation, separate from this project.
Definitely no concrete cinder blocks or super modern looking designs. I have some old bricks I may try to incorporate.
I would definitely like to integrate an irrigation system. There is one obstacle, I would like the benches to be portable so I can bring them with me when I move.

If termites are a problem in your area I would stay away from Redwood for your benches. I live in California and borers are a big problem. The termites started on my benches and moved into my trees.

Welcome Thomas, termites are definitely a threat down here in my area. I will limit contact with the ground to mitigate the threat.

 

[crust]

I like a combination of individual stands and benches. Benches are more versatile, stands highlight individual trees.

My benches are high enough that I can store my trees under them to mulch in for the winter.

I am fortunate to have space enough that benches face basically 4 directions, so I can rotate the trees, while still seeing the front.

A good mix of sun and shade is ideal, so you can move them around based on needs.

Build them taller for viewing. Mine are between 3'-4.5' high.

Make the design simple and repeatable.

Be sure your water source is close by.

Cement them in, be sure they're level! You don't water pooling on one side of the pot year after year.

If you're like me, you'll wear out any grass in front of them over time, so I removed the grass, installed a stone curb, and used DG/1089 as the surface. It's easy to weed and leaf-blow.

If/when I redo anything, I would have weather-sealed the wood, or used a synthetic. The spacing on some of my stands is a little off, so I'll probably change that over time, and I like the look of 6x6 posts in the berm better than 4x4 posts everywhere else, so I'll probably move to 6x6.

Something to keep in mind: There is different preservative retentive levels of pressure treated wood. Usually the type of PT wood is the same ( Alkaline Copper Quat (ACQ-C, ACQ-D, ACQ-D Carbonate) however the retentive level of the preservative determines what use the wood is duty rated for(percentages like .40, which is ground contact, and .60 which is rated for burial). Be sure the PT wood you buy is rated for and installed properly for your use. Pressure treated 4x4's are almost always not rated for burial. For the posts, for sure I would buy material rated for (burial) building pole barns or permanent wood foundations, usually this is the old Chromium copper preservative which lasts much better. Best practices instructs the cuts be slobbered with copper naphthenate as you build and bury. Appropriate compatible duty rated fasteners are worth it--PT lumber burns up cheap electro-galvanized bolts and lags pretty fast--hot dipped is much better. Stainless steel is bests for decking screws. With the actual bench PT decking, often you can buy a higher grade wood than standard which has less knots and flaws--this stuff does last longer and checks and warps less.

 

[Poink88]

For posts, not sure if you have it available there but I see lots of railroad ties being given away here for free (check Craigslist). Creosote is not the friendliest treatment but you bet those lumber will last longer than most of us, even in contact with soil and no termite will touch them. They are not pretty either so not sure if it will fit your needs...just something to consider.

 

[GrimLore]

Good old fashioned Cedar 4 X 4 fence posts...

Grimmy

 

[nip]

Also check YouTube ! Orlando bonsai. That's what I did. Pretty simple and good for what I needed. Step by step.

I like the small slat top, I would need to add feet so it could be moved.

I like a combination of individual stands and benches. Benches are more versatile, stands highlight individual trees.

Build them taller for viewing. Mine are between 3'-4.5' high.

If you're like me, you'll wear out any grass in front of them over time, so I removed the grass, installed a stone curb, and used DG/1089 as the surface. It's easy to weed and leaf-blow.

If/when I redo anything, I would have weather-sealed the wood, or used a synthetic. The spacing on some of my stands is a little off, so I'll probably change that over time, and I like the look of 6x6 posts in the berm better than 4x4 posts everywhere else, so I'll probably move to 6x6.

Great setup, my yard area is more compact and I don't have as many quality large trees, so I'm not going to make individual displays just yet. I also want to leave to room for my goofy dogs to run around, they have a tendency to run into inanimate objects. I like the height you used, Im tall and I dislike bending over to fool with trees. I'm not sure how Im going to deal the the grass beneath them, this is an investment property so I will only be here for three years. I don't want to leave random patches of gravel! I guess I could just sod the area when I move...

These were made made with chimney block, ceramic flue liner, cast stepping stone and treated wood. The chimney block and stepping stone was colored with a concrete stain. I'll probably stain the treated wood this year. The flue liner comes in a number of sizes, so there is some choice. Construction adhesive can be used to secure the pieces together, however, mine aren't fastened..........yet?

Awesome yard! Those chimneys look pretty good, I actually used some of those as stands when I was in high school.