Redesign my bench over winter need some suggestions

[jkd2572]

Since you are covering the whole area I would raise the height to 9 feet so it would seem more roomy when you are under it. 7 feet seems short and stuffy. I also would not attach to benches. That way you could move around the benches easier in the future if you wanted. Also your benches will rot faster than the shade cloth structure due to always being watered. Having them independent will allow you to just rebuild a bench and not the whole thing. I would use 4x4 for the comer posts. Concreted in the ground. . 2x4 for the canopy structure. Buy shade cloth with eye hooks so you can easily tie it down and remove it.

 

[GrimLore]

good call on the lattuce. Never thought of that. I am not sure if I am going to anchor the posts in the ground or just screw them to the benches. It doesnt get that windy there but there is always a chance. I could dig down a little and concrete them in. That would save the back but give a good anchor point.
I think I am going with #1 drawing. Extend the benches another 6 feet each and then put some stone down. I think that would look nice and give plenty of sun.

Any good places to order 30 to 40% shade cloth. I usually order from Gembler's/

On the 50 percent cloth they have a very competitive cost - it appears they have no 30 percent right now and honest I would go with the savings... the fabric is a little stronger and I see little difference

 

[drew33998]

Build it right the first time.

I would not use 2x4's as your headers. Since you are rebuilding it, I would do it right. I would use 2x8's for your headers. Then run 2x4's, stood on end, parallel with the length as joists at 8" O.C. Then you could hang shade cloth, lattice , or grow wisteria on top and it will look great, instead of a couple poles with some boards on them. Don't forget to level your columns. I would overhang the 2x's and cut a 45 or 60 degree angle from the top down. Something like this. Build it right the first time

 

[remist17]

Decided to start work on the benchs before winter.....

Im going to level all the benches off, paint them and put stone down around the legs. Im getting the wood this weekend for the shade cloth. Im not sure what Im going with yet. I really do not want to make the top (roof) to bulky and bring attention to it. My county would require a building permit for any perminent structure ($60) and inspection ($100). So to get around this Im forced to make this look temperary. Which means 2x4 or 2x3's Im going to get the posts in the ground and screw them to the bench which technically makes it perm but im hoping if it looks temperary no one will question.....

Going 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Ordering the 50% shade cloth tomorrow 10x12 at $20 dollars plus shipping.

Let me know know what you think of my plan.

 

[GrimLore]

If you stain everything grey it will look aged and probably not be noticed. It also will make your plants stand out nicely. They make clips that snap on the shade cloth that have a small hoop which allows you to lash it on. Done proper it could look pro and temporary at the same time.

 

[drew33998]

Yea if your county is like mine, and neighbors like mine, you cant put anything that even remotely looks like a roof on a structure without being caught. Then you have to pay taxes on it. Bunch of crap

 

[remist17]

If you notice in some of the photos the benches are painted brown. The benches are placed in the wood line to hide them. Most likely the "roof" will be painted brown with black shade cloth.

Ill post some photos once I get the benches leveled and painted. And then again when I put the roof on...

So 50% shade cloth is ok Or no?

 

[GrimLore]

The 50 pct would be more closely knit so it would be more durable perhaps? Honest do not know the correct answer. Might want to PM Smoke on that. I really don't see you needing more then that.

 

[fourteener]

Go with stain instead of paint. Takes nothing to restain, takes weekends of work to remove and repaint!!

 

[remist17]

probably should stain but all the benches are painted already.
Thinking about it I should have stained the benches. Oh well

 

[GrimLore]

probably should stain but all the benches are painted already.
Thinking about it I should have stained the benches. Oh well

No harm Sir just trying to be helpful is all. My Wife and I have been talking about and planning a garden this Spring at the house we are in the middle of buying. We are going with the added expense of all Cedar which basically requires no finish or treatment. At present I Stain all of the wood here on a 3 year cycle and I treat it in between. That stuff is EXPENSIVE so the upfront cost of cedar will be well worth it. I will still have to touch up all of the metal stuff each Spring but I am looking forward to dropping wood maintenance. My friends all say that is funny because I do have the time but I feel the more time I can save using Cedar, auto-misting/watering, and a unified substrate will allow more time for me to do some serious plant work.

 

[remist17]

no harm done !
Just I should have thought about that a year ago and 2 gallons of paint

 

[GrimLore]

Take the power sander to them wherever you can get to easily, let them all weather this winter, and perhaps you will be able to simply brush off what nature does not take care of? Seems and option to me but that is speculation at best...

 

[jkd2572]

Have you thought about staining them instead. Of painting. Stain won't peal and will protect the wood.

 

[GrimLore]

Have you thought about staining them instead. Of painting. Stain won't peal and will protect the wood.

lol - Backup and read the thread a bit - He has already painted them

 

[jkd2572]

Then paint is the way to go..,,,

 

[remist17]

Update 10/7/13

Here is what I came up with. Sorry for the phone photos.
Maples were moved to the right hand side. Elms were moved to the middle. Misc trees were moved to the outside edge which gets alot of sun.

 

[GrimLore]

Thank you for the update! Honest looks good and considering it is a "hidden" structure that is very good Also looks like you gained a lot of useable area.

Grimmy

 

[remist17]

I extended the tables out 4 feet each leg. I also added a extra shelf on the back one. I still have some that need to go into the ground and get rid of some that will not be bonsai material. I was given some red krimsom maples. Not sure the name but they have some purple LARGE leafs. They do not reduce and the stems are way to long. So in the ground they go for landscape material.

 

[drew33998]

Looks good