5.

Backrest supports Tr im th e 2x4 ba ckr est su ppor ts t o a

10 a n gl e a t t h e t op edge. Th e t wo en d ba ckr est su ppor t s st a r t a t
t h e t op of t h e 4x4 r ea r l eg a n d t r i m t o r est on t op of t h e sea t
su ppor t s. Th e cen t er ba ckr est t r i m s fl u sh t o t h e bot t om edges of
t h e t wo cen t er sea t su ppor t s.
At t a ch t h e en d ba ckr est su ppor t s t o t h e i n si de of t h e 4x4 r ea r
l eg wi t h t wo scr ews. Th e bot t om s sh ou l d fi t sn u gl y t o t h e t op of
t h e sea t su ppor t s a n d ca n be secu r ed wi t h scr ews dr i ven a t a n
a n gl e fr om bel ow.
You sh ou l d i n st a l l t h e t op r a i l befor e t r i m m i n g a n d a t t a ch i n g
t h e cen t er ba ckr est .
6. Top rail At t a ch t h e 2x4 t op r a i l t o t h e r ea r l egs wi t h t h r ee
deck scr ews a t ea ch en d. Mea su r e a n d t r i m t h e cen t er ba ckr est .
I n st a l l bet ween t h e sea t su ppor t s a n d fl u sh t o t h e u n der si de of
t h e t op r a i l . Secu r e wi t h scr ews.
7. Seat and backrest rails Tr i m on e 2x2 ba ckr est r a i l t o
fi t bet ween t h e a r m r est s. Tr i m t h e ot h er 2x2 a n d 2x4 sea t a n d
ba ckr est r a i l s t o si x feet .
I n sta ll th e fr on t sea t r a il so th a t it over la ps th e sea t su ppor t by
1
2 i n ch , a n d a t t a ch wi t h t wo deck scr ews a t ea ch j oi n t . At t a ch
t h e r ea r sea t r a i l t o ea ch su ppor t wi t h t wo deck scr ews. Adj u st
t h e spa ci n g of t h e r em a i n i n g sea t r a i l s befor e a t t a ch i n g.
Spa ce t h e ba ckr est r a i l s equ a l l y, a n d a t t a ch t o su ppor t s wi t h a
si n gl e scr ew a t ea ch 2x2 a n d t wo scr ews a t ea ch 2x4.
4. Seat supports Th e cu r ved sea t su ppor t s a r e m a de u p of
2x4 l u m ber sa n dwi ch i n g ei t h er t h e 4x4 r ea r l egs or t h e si n gl e
2x4 ba ckr est su ppor t . To sh a pe t h e cu r ve, m a ke a t em pl a t e for a
36 - i n ch r a di u s cu t . Ma r k t h e cu t t o st a r t 3 i n ch es i n fr om t h e
fr on t . Use a ba n dsa w t o cu t t h e r a di u s t o a dept h of n o m or e t h a n
1
1
4 i n ch es. Fi n i sh t h e sea t su ppor t s wi t h a 45 bevel cu t t o m a t ch
t h e a r m r est s.
Not e t h a t t h e en d a n d cen t er sea t su ppor t s di ffer sl i gh t l y i n l en gt h
a n d a t t a ch m en t s.
Materials For 6-Foot Freestanding Bench
Quantity Size Length
Top, sea t a n d ba ckr est r a i l s 6 2x4 6 feet
Sea t a n d ba ckr est r a i l s 6 2x2 6 feet
Ma i n br a ces 2 2x4 5 foot 9 i n ch es
Sea t a n d ba ckr est su ppor t s 9 2x4 26 i n ch es
Fr on t l egs 2 4x4 20
1
2 i n ch es
Rea r l egs 2 4x4 30
1
2 i n ch es
Ar m r est s 2 4x6 26 i n ch es
Deck scr ews 1- 1
1
2 pou n ds 3 a n d 4 i n ch es
F R E E S T A N D I N G B E N C H
Mendocino Bench
Bu i l d t h e 6- foot Fr eest a n di n g Ben ch i n t h e fol l owi n g or der. Use
on l y cor r osi on - r esi st a n t deck scr ews t o pr even t st a i n i n g. Cou n t er-
si n k a n d pl u g scr ew a t t a ch m en t s.
1. Armrests Tr i m t h e fr on t en d of ea ch 4x6 a r m r est a t a 45
a n gl e, begi n n i n g 1
1
2 i n ch es down fr om t op. Not ch t h e i n si de
ba ck of ea ch a r m r est wh er e i t wi l l wr a p t h e r ea r l eg. Fi n i sh wi t h
a 45 bevel cu t . See a r m r est det a i l .
2. Legs Usi n g 4 - i n ch scr ews, a t t a ch a r m r est s t o 4x4 r ea r l egs
24 i n ch es u p fr om t h e bot t om . At t a ch a r m r est s t o fr on t l egs by
dr ivin g two scr ews th r ou gh th e a r m r est a n d in to th e top of th e leg.
3. Main braces Tr i m 2x4s for t h e m a i n br a ces a n d a t t a ch t o
i n si de fr on t a n d r ea r l egs 11 i n ch es fr om bot t om .
End seat supports Tr i m fou r 2x4s t o 25
1
2 i n ch es. At t a ch t h e
i n si de sea t su ppor t s t o t h e r ea r a n d fr on t l egs so t h ey r est on t h e t op
edge of t h e 2x4 m a i n br a ces. At t a ch t h e ou t si de sea t su ppor t s l evel
wi t h t h e i n si de on es.
Center seat supports Tr i m t h e t wo cen t er sea t su ppor t s t o
22 i n ch es. Usi n g a scr a p pi ece of 2x4 a s a t em por a r y spa cer for t h e
ba ckr est , a t t a ch t h ese sea t su ppor t s a cr oss t h e m a i n br a ces fl u sh wi t h
t h e ba ck edge of t h e r ea r br a ce. Use t wo 3- i n ch scr ews for ea ch j oi n t ,
a n gl ed fr om bel ow a n d i n si de. Rem ove t h e spa cer.
Theclean, horizontal linesand richredwood
tonesof thisbenchdesign reflect thesimple
beauty of Northern California. Comfortable
and elegant witha gracefully curved seat and
angled backrest, it offersa standinginvitation
tosit, relax and enjoy.
For boththeFreestandingand theBuilt-In
RailingBenches, useConstruction Common
or Deck Common, redwood gradesthat have
a pleasingmix of heartwood and sapwood.
Whereincreased decay resistanceisneeded,
useall-heartwood grades: Construction
Heart or Deck Heart.
2x4 and 2x2
backrest rails
2x4 top rail
Trim to
fit against
top of seat
support
2x4 backrest
supports,
trim ends
at 10
4x4 rear leg
Armrest
top view
2" x 45
bevel
4x4 front leg
2x4 end
seat supports
2x4 main
braces
2x4 center
seat supports
2x4 and 2x2
seat rails
x
notch for leg
4x6 armrest
3
1
2 3
1
2 " "
45
11"
24"
32"
26"
10
SIDE VIEW
22
"
1
2 1
3
1
2
1
2"
"

1
2"
(end supports)
22" (center supports)
3"
45
36" radius
Plumb cut or trim at 10
25
1
4" 1
1
2"
1 "
1
2
Th i s open - en ded ben ch desi gn a dds com for t a bl e r a i l i n g sea t s t o
a n ew r edwood deck. Pl a n t o begi n con st r u ct i on befor e fi n i sh -
i n g t h e deck boa r d i n st a l l a t i on t o a l l ow a ccess t o t h e deck
fr a m i n g. I f t h e deck su r fa ce i s m or e t h a n 30 i n ch es fr om t h e
gr ou n d, t h e t op r a i l of t h e ben ch m u st be a t l ea st 36 i n ch es off
t h e deck or be i n com pl i a n ce wi t h you r l oca l bu i l di n g code.
Th ese pl a n s a r e ba sed on a 4 - foot - l on g ben ch sect i on . You ca n
ea sily bu ild a lon ger ben ch by a ddin g a post for ea ch a ddition a l
4 to 6 feet of ben ch len gth . Sea t su ppor ts a n d legs a r e r equ ir ed
ever y 2 to 3 feet.
Th e Bu ilt- I n Ra ilin g Ben ch differ s fr om th e Fr eesta n din g Ben ch
in sever a l wa ys: it h a s n o a r m r ests a n d th e sea t su ppor ts a r e
m a de fr om 4x4 l u m ber. Con st r u ct t h e Bu i l t - I n Ra i l i n g Ben ch
i n t h e or der sh own .
1. Posts and legs I n st a l l t h e 4x4 post s wi t h m a ch i n e bol t s.
Ea ch post ext en ds fr om t h e deck fr a m i n g a n d i s a t t a ch ed t o
ei t h er t h e r i m j oi st or t h e deck j oi st wi t h t wo
1
2- i n ch by 6- i n ch
m a ch i n e bol t s. See sect i on det a i l .
2. Seat supports
Fol l ow t h e i n st r u ct i on s for
t h e Fr eest a n di n g Ben ch sea t
su ppor t s t o m ea su r e a n d cu t
t h e cu r ved sea t r a di u s. Tr i m
a l l t h e 4x4 sea t su ppor t s t o
22 i n ch es. At t a ch t h em t o t h e
fr on t a n d r ea r l egs u si n g
t h r ee 4 - i n ch scr ews dr i ven
fr om t h e t op.
Materials For 4-Foot Built-In Bench Section
Quantity Size Length
Top, sea t a n d ba ckr est r a i l s 6 2x4 4 feet
Sea t a n d ba ckr est r a i l s 6 2x2 4 feet
Ba ckr est su ppor t s 4 2x4 2 feet
Sea t su ppor t s 2 4x4 26 i n ch es
Fr on t a n d r ea r l egs 4 4x4 11 i n ch es
Post s 2 4x4 39
1
4 in ch es
Deck scr ews 1- 1
1
2 pou n ds 3 a n d 4 in ch es
Ma ch in e bolts, wa sh ers
a n d n u ts 4 set s
1
2 x 6 i n ch es
Other Construction Tipsheets Also Available
Deck Over Concret e Deck Const ruct i on
8x10 Deck Deck Grades, Nai l s and Fi ni shes
Deck Around Tub Desi gn-A-Deck
TM
Pl ans Ki t
Shade Shel t er Fences f or Al l Reasons
But cherbl ock Bench
4x4 Pl ant er
Sonoma Pi cni c Tabl e
Lake Tahoe Gazebo
B U I L T - I N R A I L I N G B E N C H
3. Backrest supports Tr i m bot h en ds of ea ch 2x4 dou bl e
ba ckr est su ppor t t o 10. At t a ch fl u sh t o t h e t op of ea ch 4x4 post
a n d t o t h e 4x4 sea t su ppor t s.
4. Top rail Tr i m t h e 2x4 t op r a i l t o l en gt h a n d a t t a ch t o post s
with scr ews. Use bevel cu ts a t a n y bu tt join ts to m in im ize ga ppin g.
5. Seat and backrest rails Tr i m 2x2 a n d 2x4 sea t a n d
ba ckr est r a i l s t o l en gt h a n d a t t a ch a s descr i bed i n t h e Fr ee-
st a n di n g Ben ch .
Con t a ct t h e Ca l i for n i a Redwood Associ a t i on for m or e gr ea t pu b-
lica tion s con ta in in g r edwood tech n ica l a n d bu ildin g in for m a tion .
Ca l l u s a t 415 382- 0662 for a com plete liter a tu r e list or to a sk for
a n y of t h e t i t l es l i st ed h er e:
2x4 top rail
2x4 backrest support
26"
2x2 rails
2x4
rails 4x4 seat
support
16"
4x4
leg 11"
4x4 post
4x4 rear leg
32"
40 "
3
4
10
Rim joist
Decking
Machine bolt,
washers and nut

1
2"
22
1
2"
7
1
4"
Back supports
Post
Seat support
Front leg
Rim
joist
Rear leg
Redwood
For bea u t y a n d per for m a n ce, r edwood i s n a t u r a l l y su per i or t o
ot h er woods. Th a t s wh y i t s t h e fi r st ch oi ce for decks, fen ces a n d
m ost ou t door pr oj ect s. Redwood r et a i n s i t s bea u t y ou t door s,
sh r i n ks a n d swel l s l ess t h a n ot h er woods a n d i s l ess l i kel y t o wa r p,
spl i t , ch eck or cu p. Wi t h l i t t l e or n o pi t ch , r edwood i s ea sy t o dr i l l ,
sa w a n d sh a pe. Redwood h ea r twood h a s n a tu r a l du r a bility a n d
r esista n ce to in sects a n d will la st lon ger ou tdoor s th a n m ost woods.
Grades
Th e kn ot t y ga r den gr a des of r edwood a r e i dea l for ou t door pr oj ect s.
Th ese gr a des a r e bea u t i fu l , du r a bl e a n d econ om i ca l .
Construction Heart/Deck Heart i s a l l h ea r t wood a n d con -
t a i n s kn ot s; u sed for l oa d- bea r i n g a ppl i ca t i on s n ea r t h e gr ou n d.
Deck Hea r t i s gr a ded for st r en gt h a n d i s a va i l a bl e i n 2x4 a n d 2x6.
Construction Common/Deck Common con t a i n s sa pwood
a n d kn ots; u sed for deckin g a n d a bove- gr ou n d u ses. Deck Com m on
i s gr a ded for st r en gt h a n d i s a va i l a bl e i n 2x4 a n d 2x6.
MerchantableHeart is a ll h ea rtwood a n d con ta in s la rger kn ots
t h a n Con st r u ct i on gr a des; u sed n ea r t h e soi l .
Merchantablecon t a i n s sa pwood a n d l a r ger kn ot s; u sed for
fen ce boa r ds, r a i l s a n d a bove- gr ou n d u ses.
Finishes
Redwood a ccept s fi n i sh es bet t er t h a n m ost woods. Som e h ei gh t en
r edwoods n a t u r a l bea u t y, br i n gi n g ou t t h e col or a n d t h e gr a i n .
Ot h er s h el p t h e wood h a r m on i ze or con t r a st wi t h su r r ou n di n g
st r u ct u r es. Keep i n m i n d t h a t u n fi n i sh ed r edwood wi l l gr a du a l l y
t u r n soft dr i ft wood gr a y. Rea d t h e l a bel s on a l l fi n i sh pr odu ct s
befor e u si n g.
Clear water repellent finish is r ecom m en ded t o st a bi l i ze t h e
col or a t t a n .
Semitransparent stainsi n r edwood sh a des t i n t t h e wood
wi t h ou t h i di n g t h e gr a i n .
Solid-color stainsor paintssh ou l d be a ppl i ed over com pa t i bl e
oi l - ba sed pr i m er s.
Fasteners
Use on l y n on - cor r osi ve h a r dwa r e su ch a s a l u m i n u m , st a i n l ess
st eel or t op qu a l i t y h ot - di pped ga l va n i zed scr ews or n a i l s.
Or di n a r y n a i l s a n d scr ews wi l l ca u se st a i n s.