Gather your supplies

• Bench frame 140 x 45mm x 5.4m (2) H3 treated pine • Wide leg frame

140 x 45mm x 3.0m

(1) H3 treated pine

• Leg frames, leg blocks and bench cleats

90 x 45mm x 5.4m

(2) H3 treated pine

• Upper bench frame

190 x 45mm x 5.4m (1) and 3.6m (1) H3 treated pine

• Barbecue sheets 1800 x 900 x 15mm compressed fibre cement (1)

• Bench cladding

88 x 23mm x 5.4m (12) Modwood Sahara Decking

You’ll also need

Circular saw with fence attachment; nail gun and nails; drill; 100mm batten screws; clamp; angle grinder fitted with diamond cutting blade; 5mm masonry drill bit; 50mm decking screws; black exterior paint; painting equipment

For you to note

• When using power tools, wear all safety gear required and refer to your product instructions. • At 947mm high, the bench was designed to suit a tall person. Adjust the height of the leg frames to reduce the height of the bench and cut decking boards for cladding accordingly. • Dimension for barbecue opening to suit product pictured. Adjust to suit the size of your barbecue.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Construct the lower bench frame by sitting bench cross pieces (A) between bench sides (B) and nailing. Start with a cross piece at each end of sides. There are 3 cross pieces to support the BBQ. The first of these is 500mm from one end of the frame and final cross piece should finish 900mm from the first. The third should be in the centre of these 2. Add 3 more cross pieces equally between cross piece supporting BBQ and far end. For extra strength, screw through sides into cross pieces using 100mm batten screws. STEP 2 At end of lower bench frame where the BBQ will be, insert 2 leg blocks (C) on the flat so face of blocks are flush with bottom of frame. Place 1

block adjacent to end cross piece and the second on the corresponding side of the next cross piece. At other end of frame, position third leg block adjacent to the cross piece at that end and screw in place. STEP 3 Construct leg frame by butting 2 leg cross pieces (D) into leg uprights (E) flush with each end. Nail to hold then screw together using 100mm batten screws. Repeat to construct second leg frame. STEP 4 With bench frame sitting upside down, place 1 leg frame on end cross piece and leg block at end nearest the BBQ. Make leg frame flush with outside end of bench frame. Screw together. Place second leg frame on adjacent cross piece and leg block so it is 410mm from the first and screw in place.

STEP 5 Use wide leg cross pieces (F) and wide leg uprights (G) to build wide leg frame. Attach to other end of bench flush with outside end of frame.

STEP 6 Turn frame over so it is sitting on its legs. Place leg braces (H) in bottom corners of leg frames and screw in place. Ensure leg frames are parallel to each other.

STEP 7 Place lower bench frame in position against pergola posts and clamp. Screw through frame into posts. If freestanding, hold bench in place using masonry anchors through the leg frames into the concrete below.

STEP 8 Insert remaining leg cross pieces and wide leg cross piece into their respective frames halfway up from the bottom.

STEP 9 Construct upper bench frame by sitting upper bench cross pieces (I) between upper bench sides (J) and nailing. Make a cross piece flush with each end and space others evenly between these. Strengthen frame by screwing together using 100mm batten screws. Sit frame on lower bench frame and make flush with end. Join using bench cleats (K) placed on inside of frames and nail through cleats into both frames. Use a pair of cleats towards each end of frames.

STEP 10 Construct short upper bench frame by sitting 2 upper bench cross pieces between short upper bench sides (L) flush with each end and screwing together.

STEP 11 Sit short upper frame on bench frame and make flush with end. Place remaining bench cleats on inside of frames and nail through cleats into both frames.

STEP 12 Using angle grinder, cut barbecue base sheet (M) and barbecue side sheets (N) to size. Also cut a hole in base sheet to allow access for BBQ gas hose. Slide base sheet in position on lower bench frame in gap between upper bench frames. Place side sheets against sides of upper bench frame. Drill 5mm clearance holes through fibre cement using masonry drill bit then screw sheets to frame with decking screws.

STEP 13 Paint bench frame and visible edges of fibre cement in black.

STEP 14 Measure for cladding along face of bench. At BBQ area, butt boards into fibre cement sheets. At ends of frames, overhang boards by 23mm. Cut boards to length and fix to face so top edge is 4mm below top of bench, predrilling and countersinking as per manufacturer’s instructions. Continue laying boards below this leaving a 4mm gap between boards. For boards covering legs, overhang both sides of legs by 23mm.

STEP 15 Lay first board to top of bench so edge of board is flush with face boards. Overhang ends of bench by 23mm. Continue laying boards leaving a 4mm gap between them.

STEP 16 Measure and cut boards to sit vertically on ends of frames and insides of legs. Leave a 4mm gap to boards on top of bench. Screw boards to bench so they align with the boards on top of the bench. Use a circular saw with fence attachment to cut boards along their length to fit at sides.

Why turn your outdoor area into party central? If you build it they will come!

Gather your supplies

• 150 x 25mm sawn treated pine (shelving and planter) • 100 x 50mm treated pine sleeper (blocks) • Terracotta pots in various sizes • Selection of plants

You’ll also need

Charcoal exterior stain; painting gear; measuring tape; circular saw; drill and 4mm bit; 65mm treated pine screws; 100mm galvanised batten screws; utility knife; undercoat; exterior acrylic paint in selected colours; garden soil mix; weed mat

For you to note

• Stain all material prior to cutting and assembly. • Ensure pergola posts are H4 treated pine, which is suitable for in-ground uses. If not, box around posts to isolate them from the soil in the planter.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Measure between pergola posts that are farthest apart to determine width and height of shelf unit. Use saw to cut sides to length then top and bottom, allowing for thickness of sides. Butt top and bottom into sides, predrill with 4mm bit then screw together with 65mm screws.

STEP 2 Determine number of pigeonholes, here roughly 400mm square. Deduct thickness of sides and dividers from overall measurement then divide by number of holes to find exact size. Cut dividers to length. Using 1 divider as a spacing block, butt dividers into top and screw together.

STEP 3 Butt shelf into open end of dividers and screw together. Butt more dividers into this shelf so they align with those already fixed. Predrill and screw on an angle through shelf into dividers.

STEP 4 Repeat Step 3 to add more dividers, shelves and finally the bottom of unit.

STEP 5 Lift unit into position between pergola posts. Screw through sides into posts using 100mm batten screws.

STEP 6 Measure and cut treated pine to length for planter sides and ends, securing butt joins with screws. For longer sides, use 2 lengths of pine and cut a cleat to fit over join on inside of planter, screwing into both sides of join.

STEP 7 Cut sleeper to length to create blocks. Insert blocks between sides of planter at pergola posts. Screw through sides into blocks then through blocks into posts to secure planter edging.

STEP 8 Use a knife to cut weed mat then lay on inside of planter, fill with garden mix and plant up.

STEP 9 Apply undercoat to terracotta pots and let dry. Follow with 2 coats of exterior acrylic, allowing to dry after each coat.

There’s loads of space to prepare a feast with a wide bench next to the barbecue. Pots filled with tasty herbs look and smell great and are a big hit with guests.

Highlight your handiwork by installing LED strip lighting under your barbecue bench.