Simple Benches Built into a Deck Railing

One way to maximize the available seating space on your deck is to build in perimeter benches connected to the deck’s railings.  These simple benches add dozens of seats and are especially useful for parties and events where traditional table seating is limited.  Also, since the benches don’t have any defined seats, people–especially kids–can squish up close together, making the most of limited space on a deck.

Building in deck benches is relatively simple, requiring only a few cuts.  This entire project can be completed in one afternoon, and can be installed on deck railings both inside and outside of the rim joist of the deck.  Take a look at this final picture andwe’ll dissect the components:

How to Build Deck Railing Benches

There are a lot of ways to build these benches, including multiple configurations for the structure and surfaces.  In all designs, the key is to build one set of supports, and then duplicate those supports down the length of the rail.  The first set of supports can be challenging to get exactly right; however, once these are built, you can make copies of the support structure and place them every three feet.  Then, fixing the surface to the supports, and the supports to the deck structure is a relatively easy project.

Building the Bench Support Structure

Step 1: Build the 2×4 back support.  The exact length of the 2×4 will be dictated by the height between the height of the bottom of the railing.  In our case, this is about 34.5 inches.   The 2×4 requires three cuts: One at the bottom, one at the top, and one on the back.  Note that the top and bottom cuts are parallel.  The goal is to place the bottom of the board about 12″ away from the back of the top.  Once you get the top and bottom cuts, you can cut a small 90 degree cut into the top to allow the bench to position against the railing.

Step 2: Build the bench support posts.  A plain 2×6 sits towards the front of the bench, and a 2×6 (or 2×8, if necessary) is cut to fit between the back 2×4 and the front 2×6.  The front 2×6 should be 16.5 inches long, so that when 2-by lumber is fastened to the top of it, the seat sits 18″ off the ground.

Step 4: Assembly the support structures together.  You have a few options here.  One of our favorite ways to join wood is using a kreg jig with wood glue between the joints.  Make sure to use galvanized kreg screws.  Alternatively, you can run a 2×4 perpendicular to the 2×6s and the back support, and bolt through all the pieces to create a tight structure.  In our picture, the boards are glued and toe-nailed together.

Step 4: Duplicate the support structure every 3 feet for the length of the bench.

Add the Surface Structure

Step 5: Screw the 5/4 decking boards, 2×6, and 2×8 to the surface of the support structures, and position the bench in place.

Step 6: Toe nail the bench to the surface of the deck.  Ensure that the back of the bench is snug underneath the railing.  (Step 7 is fastening the back of the bench to the rail).

Step 7: Toe nail the bench supports to the railng.

The Finished Railing Project

You’re finished.  Remember, these types of deck benches are actually unsafe for children unless you build a lattice or other structure to raise the rail of the deck.  If you decide to build these benches, consider raising the railing height at least 36 inches over the height of the seat.

What do you think? Have you built your own benches?  Got pictures?  Drop us a line at pictures@oneprojectcloser.com and let us know!

by: Fred | September 23, 2009 | filed in: Decks, Projects
Related Tags: deck benches

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