EASY STEPS TO BUILDING AN ALFRESCO DAYBED DAYBED ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM

Bring day-spa zen to your deck, and relax with nature while keeping the mozzies at bay. Namaste!

Gather your supplies

• Mimosa Malibu sun lounge (2)

• 70 x 30mm 2.4m dressed pine (6)

• 64 x 19mm 2.4m dressed pine (3)

• 42 x 19mm 2.4m dressed pine (3)

• 19mm pine dowel 3m (6)

• Merbau decking stain

• 19mm cup hooks (10)

• IKEA Lill net curtains set in white (5 pairs)

You’ll also need Tape measure; combination square; pencil; mitre saw; 80-grit sandpaper; paintbrush; PVA glue; drill; countersink drill bits; 35mm and 40mm exterior screws; 100mm bugle screws; 19mm spade bit; clamps; level; scissors; sewing machine and sewing kit

Safety notes

When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, a mask and earmuffs, and tie your hair back. When appropriate, wear gloves and protective clothing.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Assemble 2 sun loungers according to instructions, set aside.

STEP 2 Measure, mark, cut and label all components (see list below) with tape measure, combination square, pencil and mitre saw. Sand sawn edges with 80-grit. Apply 1-2 coats decking stain to all components (to match colour and finish on sun loungers). Allow to dry after each coat.

STEP 3 Dry assemble 2 Base components and 2 Risers into a rectangle that resembles the legs on the sun loungers. Apply PVA glue to both ends of Risers and attach to Bases. Predrill 2 holes on all joints (10mm from each end), through Base and into Riser, insert 40mm screws and tighten. Repeat step for a total of 4 rectangles.

STEP 4 Connect 2 rectangles with Risers together. Apply PVA to outside face of Risers and attach. Predrill 2 holes through one and into the adjoining Riser. Insert 35mm screws and tighten. Repeat for second pair of rectangles.

STEP 5 To raise the sun lounger height, apply PVA to bottom of lounger legs and attach to rectangle

Base. Predrill 2 equally spaced holes, through bottom of lounger leg and into Base. Insert 35mm screws and tighten. Repeat for opposite end, then repeat to attach second lounger.

STEP 6 On Top rail, measure and mark 5 equally spaced Canopy dowel fixing points (with outermost points 20mm from both ends). Use spade bit to drill holes to 15mm depth. Use Top rail to mark up second rail, then repeat to drill holes with spade bit.

STEP 7 Attach top of Post square onto edge of Top rail in a butt joint. Clamp, then predrill 2 equal holes through Top rail and into Post, insert 100mm bugles and tighten. Repeat to attach second Post at opposite end, unclamp. Repeat Step for remaining

Posts and Top rail.

STEP 8 With an extra pair of hands, stand Top rail and Posts frame upright and clamp to rectangles and sun lounge legs. Check square, plumb and level, then predrill 2 pilot holes through Riser and into Post, insert 40mm screws and tighten. Repeat for opposite end, then repeat for opposite side with remaining Top rail and Posts frame.

STEP 9 To make a backrest, lay 3 Back rails flat, parallel and equally spaced with a Back upright on each end (see Assembly diagram, opposite page). Apply PVA glue to ends of all Back rails and attach to the uprights. Clamp and predrill a centred hole through Back upright and into end of 1 Back rail. Insert 40mm screws and tighten, unclamp. Repeat to attach all remaining Back rails.

STEP 10 Clamp backrest across 2 Posts, 500mm up from bottom of Posts. Predrill 2 equally spaced holes through upright and into back of Post. Insert 40mm screws and tighten. Check level, then repeat to attach to opposite Post.

STEP 11 Apply PVA glue to ends of 3 Canopy dowels. Insert into the middle 3 Top rail holes.

STEP 12 Measure, cut and hem (50mm hem) 1 curtain panel to 1900mm with sewing machine and kit. Thread a Canopy dowel through curtain hem, then insert into end holes of Top rails. Drape fabric across top of the 3 middle Canopy dowels, then thread final dowel through hem and insert into end holes on Top rails. Predrill through Top rail and into ends of middle 3 Canopy dowels on both sides, insert 40mm screws and tighten. Adjust net so it is evenly gathered across the roof of the daybed.

STEP 13 Predrill and install 1 hook on each end, 1 hook 20mm from each edge on front of Top rail, and 1 centred on front of Top rail, for a total of 5 hooks. Thread 2 curtains onto a Long curtain rod, attach onto hooks. Adjust nets so even on each side. Repeat for opposite side.

STEP 14 Thread 2 curtains onto a Short curtain rod, then attach onto Top rail end hooks, repeat for opposite side.

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