EASY STEPS TO YOUR POTTING BENCH

Many Aussie backyards have built-in brick barbecue benches. Replacing the tiled benchtop with a composite material gives a finish that’s more moisture, UV and insect resistant. Painting the brick and swapping the lattice for storebought screening modernises the area.

For you to note

• To remove the tiles, wear safety equipment, protecting feet, hands, eyes, ears and wear a mask.

• For the screening, install

a pine frame into brickwork to support storebought panels. Choose a size that best fits and set out the panels before making the frame so the uprights are centred behind the joins. • Buy the same brand quick-fix kit for timber as your composite decking as the hardware for installing. Secure decking around the side as fascia, using screws.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Wear safety equipment to remove all the old timber, lattice and fasteners.

STEP 2 Wash down the brickwork with a pressure washer; leave to dry.

STEP 3 Remove tiled top using hammer drill with pointed chisel bit, starting at the edge, working

inwards from each grout line. Chip off mortar using masonry bolster and small sledgehammer to create flat surface.

STEP 4 Remove debris; sweep walls with broom. Wear a mask to use sprayer, applying at least 2 coats of exterior paint to brick, moving sprayer sideways for even application.

STEP 5 For brick wall frame, cut 70 x 35mm treated pine with mitre saw. Predrill with 5mm bit to secure with batten screws using hex head bit.

TIP Run long rails horizontally with uprights positioned to support screening panels.

STEP 6 Paint frame. Position, then predrill through frame with 5mm bit. Mark the holes to predrill brick with 10mm masonry bit, tap in nylon anchors, secure with batten screws.

STEP 7 Cut screening panels to fit with circular saw. Position against frame, secure with nail gun and galvanised brads.

STEP 8 Make benchtop frame from 90 x 45mm treated pine, cutting rails to fit front and back, shorter supports spaced no wider than 450mm. Predrill and secure with batten screws.

STEP 9 Position and predrill through frame with 5mm bit. Mark the holes to predrill brick with masonry bit, tap in anchors, secure

with ba en screws. Cut and secure 70 x 35mm as framing around sides and front of brickwork for fascia.

STEP 10 To make benchtop, cut 137mm composite decking to fit lengthways, securing with quick-fix hardware.

STEP 11 Cut decking for fascia, predrill into framing with 3mm bit and secure with star head screws.

STEP 10

STEP 6

STEP 8

STEP 3

STEP 5

STEP 9

STEP 1

STEP 4

BEFORE 7 just pottering around An old and redundant barbecue area is ideal for an open po ing shed and for an elegant display of po ed plants. The stool is a fab fit for the old cavity and a welcome relief on a busy day!

HOOKS ON OLD FENCE PALINGS ARE HANDY FOR SMALL TOOLS.

SHELVES MEAN AN ORDERLY STORAGE OF POTS AND PLANT DISPLAYS.