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What size treated pine for bench seat?

Redboy65
Just Starting Out

What size treated pine for bench seat?

G'day, I'm building an outdoor bench seat that will be under cover of a third floor outdoor deck/balcony BUT very close to the ocean (Phillip Island) - therefore exposed to the elements. It will get wet during rain periods. I'm going to be using Spotted Gum as the cladding/outside of the bench seat and treated pine for the frame (as it needs to withstand the elements). Question I have is do I use 90x35 or 90x45 treated pine for the frame? There is an obvious price difference between the two sizes and I need to reduce my overall cost BUT also need to ensure that the bench seat is going to be sturdy and strong. Any help appreciated!

Cheers, Redboy65

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: What size treated pine ?

Hello @Redboy65 

 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about building an outdoor bench seat.

 

Would you happen to have a sketch of the seat you are building? If you can please share a picture of that sketch, it will give our members a better idea of its structure. We can then make recommendations on timber size. If it is a three-seater or larger, I would suggest using the 90mm x 45mm, but if it is just a two-seater it might be possible to use the 90mm x 35mm. You can even technically use the 70mmx45mm if the spotted gum can provide extra support to the frame.

 

If you need a hand posting an image, please let us know.

 

Eric

 

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Redboy65
Just Starting Out

Re: What size treated pine ?

G'day Eric, thx for getting back in touch with me. Please find attached Plan and Elevation diagrams for the design. Basically the bench seat is in an L-shaped config at the end of our decking balcony. It's going to consist of two frames "Small Frame" and "Large Frame". The frames will be made up of treated pine and the cladding will be spotted gum decking board (19mm x 86mm x 1600mm).

 

Hope this helps and once again, thanks heaps for your help.

 

Cheers,

Redboy65IMG_0221.jpegIMG_0222.jpeg

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: What size treated pine ?

Hello @Redboy65 

 

Thank you for providing those detailed plans of your bench seat. I was initially concerned that you would have a very long seat, but now that you've shown me the plans, I suggest using the 90 x 35mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine - 2.4m for framing. It's not too bulky like the 90mm x 45mm, but it is strong enough to hold the weight of people sitting on it. My best advice is to drill pilot holes on both the frame and your spotted gum to prevent splitting the timber. 

 

Let me call on our experienced members @JoeAzza, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their opinion on timber frame sizing. 

 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

 

Eric

 

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Redboy65
Just Starting Out

Re: What size treated pine ?

Brilliant, thx heaps Eric ! I'll wait for the other replies in the meantime.

Cheers,

Redboy65

Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: What size treated pine ?

Afternoon @Redboy65 

Love your plans :laugh: Seriously nice and concise! 

I prefer the 90 * 45mm pine :smile: Mostly because I figure you will have characters flopping down onto a bench seat and that little extra cannot hurt :smile: I also like @EricL's suggestion of pilot holes.

 

I built a bench seat with wheels and went with the larger sized supporting timber frame but looking similar (in my mind) to yours.

Outside timber lounge with wheels 

 

If you "test" a smaller piece of timber in bunnings when you are purchasing what you want by having the span between two points and then slowly put your weight on it. if it bows go for a larger size if it dosnt then why not,  problem solved :smile:

 

The last one id suggest is to oil your new seat as soon as possible and then set an aniversary/birthday on your ph (with a reminder the week before) to reoil it every year. We tend to forget that we should do it.

 

Dave

Re: What size treated pine ?

Thanks heaps Dave! Yes, I was definitely going to put pilot holes AND will definitely oil it! I will test the 90x35 and 90x45 for bowing when I pick up the timber tomorrow night. I figured the longest span without support is going to be approx. 700mm hence why I think the 35mm should be OK.

 

Thanks heaps for your guidance!

PS: Love your bench seat btw...gave me ideas about wheels !!

 

Redboy65

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: What size treated pine ?

Hi @Redboy65 

 

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing the start of your bench seat project.

 

Eric

 

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Nailbag
Kind of a Big Deal

Re: What size treated pine for bench seat?

Hi @Redboy65 

 

Love your plans and I can't say I have much to add than what @EricL and @Dave-1 have already contributed. Except for the choice of timber! I'm on the other side of the bay to you and I have several spotted gum deck mostly exposed to the sun and weather. If I had my time again, it's the last choice other than treated pine. It looks awesome when first laid, but I can guarantee it will bow, split, and deteriorate rapidly even when coating with several layers of the best oil. I have already replaced boards within 5yrs and the last lot are already showing signs of deformity.

 

If you're looking for something other than Merbau, which is always a safe choice then consider Blackbutt.

 

Nailbag

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