Required Materials & Tools:
- Lumber (2x4s, plywood/1x12s for bench top & tabletop, select boards)
- Wood Glue
- 2.5" & 1.25" Wood Screws
- Construction Adhesive
- Shims
- Stud Finder
- Level (4-foot and torpedo)
- Tape Measure
- Circular Saw / Miter Saw
- Drill/Driver
- Kreg Jig (optional, for pocket holes)
- Sandpaper (120 & 220 grit)
- Wood Filler
- Paint/Stain & Polyurethane
Pre-Installation
Measure dining area precisely. Mark exact bench location on walls and floor. Use stud finder to locate & mark all wall studs behind bench location. Ensure floor is level; note high/low spots.
Frame Construction
Build bench base frame on site using 2x4s. Perimeter height equals desired seat height (typically 17"-19"). Include center supports every 16"-24" for rigidity. Pre-drill pilot holes. Secure frame sections together using 2.5" screws and wood glue. Verify squareness frequently.
Mounting Ledger Board
Cut a 2x4 ledger board to bench length. Position tightly against back wall at bench seat height. Secure firmly into every marked wall stud using construction adhesive and 3" screws. Confirm board is perfectly level.
Installing Frame & Leveling
Place pre-assembled frame base against ledger board and wall. Attach top of frame back to ledger board securely. Shim diligently between frame base and floor until entire frame is perfectly level front-to-back and side-to-side. Nail or screw shims in place.
Securely anchor frame front corners to floor using appropriate fasteners (concrete anchors or wood screws).
Seat Support & Decking
Add perpendicular 2x4 cleats (2 per seat) along front & back inside of frame for seat decking support. Position cleats 1/4" below desired final seat height for plywood thickness.
Cut plywood or lumber planks to size for seat decking. Secure to cleats and frame using glue and 1.25" screws, countersinking slightly. Maintain 1/8" gap between decking boards/plywood edges to prevent warping.
Bench Top Installation
Apply construction adhesive atop seat decking support frame. Place pre-assembled bench top unit (plywood or planked) onto frame. Secure through seat decking into underlying supports using 2" screws.
Ensure edges are clean and overhang is consistent.
Finishing Touches
Fill all screw holes and gaps with wood filler. Sand entire bench smoothly, progressing from 120 to 220 grit. Wipe away dust. Apply chosen paint or stain followed by 2-3 coats of clear polyurethane, sanding lightly between coats. Ensure table legs height clear bench comfortably.
Final Checks
Reinspect level on seat top and tabletop. Verify structural integrity and stability. Confirm all screws are countersunk and concealed. Clean the work area thoroughly.
