DIY Easy Cinderblock Patio Bench

You can build this cinderblock patio bench with NO POWER TOOLS! Check out all the steps so you can do it yourself.

Supplies

For ONE Bench you will need

1.) 14 Cinderblocks 8"x8"x16" ( Big box store)

2.) 6, 8' 4x4's (Big box store)

3.) Construction Adhesive https://amzn.to/3kKo87l

4.) Exterior paint - Valspar Stormcoat exterior (home Depot)

5.) Paint roller- https://amzn.to/3kKo87l

6.) Caulking Gun- https://amzn.to/3kKo87l

7.) Wood Stain- https://amzn.to/3kKo87l

8.) Wood Sealer- https://amzn.to/3kKo87l

9. Sandpaper sponge thingy- https://amzn.to/3kKo87l

For the Upholstery

1.) 4" Foam cushioning- https://amzn.to/35LpH0y

2.) Fabric (Local Fabric store)

3.) T-50 Staple gun- https://amzn.to/35LpH0y

4.) 1/4" Staples- https://amzn.to/35LpH0y

5.) 1/8" x 4'x8' piece of fiberboard (EUCABOARD)- (big box store) 6.) Hand Saw- https://amzn.to/35LpH0y

Step 1: Gather Materials

Check out the Materials list for all materials used.

Step 2: Lightly Sand the 4x4's

You will need to lightly sand the 4x4's. Make sure to sand off sharp corners and edges as well as any labeling from the factory.

Sanding will prepare each 4x4 for better staining in step 2.

Step 3: Stain and Seal the 4x4's

I used a Special Walnut stain along with a polyurethane sealant for the 4x4's. Let the stain soak into the wood for around 20 minutes, then make sure to wipe off the access stain completely with a rag before applying the sealing coat of polyurethane. Apply the polyurethane coating and make sure to let it cure completely.

Step 4: Dry Fit the Cinderblocks.

Do a dry fit of the cinderblocks to make sure they are all even and fit together nicely.

Step 5: Glue Up the Cinderblocks

Glue up the cinderblocks by applying a liberal bead of construction adhesive. Make sure to place each cinderblock as precise as possible, because you will not be able to move them once cured. Allow the adhesive to cure overnight before painting.

Step 6: Paint the Cinderblocks

I used a common exterior paint to cover all the cinderblocks. I used less than 1 gallon of paint. You may need to switch from a paint roller to a small brush to get inside all the cracks between the cinderblocks.

Step 7: Do a Dry Fit and Test the Bench.

Do a dry fitting of the 4x4's to make sure the cinderblocks are where you want them. Move them around to get the look you want.

Step 8: Upholster Cushions

Check the materials list for everything you will need for the upholstery.

Step 9: Upholster

Measure your bench seat and cut the cushion to fit. Take the 1/8" Fiber board (eucaboard) and cut it slightly smaller than the cushion you have just cut. Lay down the fabric and put the cushion on top leaving around 16" of fabric on all sides. place the Fiberboard on top and pull the fabric tightly over the cushion. Start at both long sides and staple into the fiberboard. Once both long sides are complete start to work on the ends. Do the corners last and fold them the same way on all four sides.

Step 10: Test Out the Cushion

If you fall asleep immediately you know you did it right.

Step 11: YOU ARE DONE! Add Some Contrasting Pillows and You Are Complete!

Easy as that! Finished!

Comments

[AMDHamm]

Very nice build, video, and instructions. I don't see where you show or talk about the lower 4x4's near the floor. Are those for stability? Or something else?

[BMsculptures]

Those are actually added in later. The benches are relatively high, so the bottom 4x4's are a foot rest.

[student81613]

I think I went overbord

[student81613]

Although many news reports about bats now attempt to dispel myths and educate readers on their importance, still others perpetuate misinformation and reinforce the negative image many people hold. Typical of such reports are those in which bats are carelessly linked to rabies. A story that was reported countrywide late last year in newspapers and on national television did much to create unnecessary fear of bats. A 13-year-old San Francisco boy died of rabies in December of 1987, and though the source and circumstances of exposure were unknown, a health department doctor speculated that the boy likely had been bitten by a bat while on a camping trip. There was no evidence to suggest that the boy had ever been near a bat.
A tissue sample from the boy subsequently was tested at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, and the conclusion was that the boy did not contract rabies from a bat. It appears that this important correction was never reported by the media, or if it was, it never gained the widespread attention of the initial report. In the meantime, campers and the general public were needlessly frightened, and countless people undoubtedly decreased their tolerance for bats.
People should be warned not to handle bats, since sick ones are those most likely to be found, but they also must be educated that, if simply left alone, bats are harmless. As pointed out by Dr. Denny Constantine, a public health veterinarian for the State of California and a leading authority on rabies in bats, “The public health problems posed by bats are relatively insignificant compared to the public health problems usually initiated by those who publicize bats as problematic, typically resulting in an exaggerated, inappropriate public response, damaging to the public health.”
It is a common misconception that most bats are rabid, but the truth is that the frequency of rabies in bats is less than half a percent, no higher than in many other animals. Some of the false reports can be attributed to the fact that most labs test only bats submitted because they are rabies-suspect; the results reported often imply that such bats are typical. An extreme example of such a testing bias inferred that 50% of a state’s bats were rabid when one of two bats examined tested positive for rabies!

[student81613]

oh and also

[student81613]

Night Swallows
by Vicki Henderson
When I was just a little girl, I said to Dad "What's that?"
He said, "Don't be alarmed my dear, it's just a wee brown bat."
Casting shadows strange and new, it fluttered through the house
With young and untrained eyes, I saw a tiny flying mouse
With childhood awe I watched it do a dive and then it swooped
Like a mid-way roller coaster, oh, how it loop-de-looped!
Continuing with graceful skill it held my youthful gaze
It banked and swung through what must be a fancy unseen maze
Then suddenly it landed on the curtain, way up high
My Dad said, "It must go outside to eat, or it will die."
He gently cupped it in his hands and brought it way down low
I crouched before my father as his hands moved oh so slow
His fingers slowly opened and into his hands I peeked
I gazed upon this creature, as it trembled, clicked and squeaked
"It's much more scared of us," said Dad, "than we are scared of it."
It fluttered from his hands just then and on a chair, it lit
It sat so still upon the chair and blended out of sight
I looked real close and I could see it shaking out of fright
Until it calmed, we let it be. We didn't want it stressed
"We'll let it go outside, "said Dad, "run upstairs and get dressed."
When I returned, I was surprised for it was in Dad's palm
I never would have guessed that it could be so still and calm
It looked around with tiny eyes so gentle and so sweet
There was webbing from its fingers right down to its tiny feet
Reaching with my hands I said, "I want to hold it oh so much."
Dad said, "You cannot hold it. If you're gentle you can touch."
I felt it's back. I felt it's wings, it's fingers and its toes
Its head was just as tiny as my baby brother's nose.
Its fur was soft as soft can be, its eyes were clear and bright
As soft as kid-gloves were the wings that gave its body flight
And now the time had come to let this creature go outside
I begged him and I pleaded, and I maybe even cried
But he explained that we need bats to eat the bugs that bite
There aren't enough bugs in the house. There's lots outside at night
We stepped outside, he left dad's hand in one big swooping arc
Before we knew it, he had vanished somewhere in the dark
I sometimes I see his shadow as he hunts for food outside
He swoops around the back light where the bugs don't know to hide
Most people tend to get upset when bats are in the air
They just don't seem to understand; they're precious, few and rare
When people visit late at night and the bats come from their hollows
We calm our guests with one white lie, we call our bats
NIGHT SWALLOWS
They swoop and dive while catching bugs and no one seems to care
Who's ever heard of swallows getting tangled in your hair?

[student81613]

so please read it

[student81613]

and this is story

[student81613]

i got something for you

[shalnachywyt]

I agree with tsutunc. I've seen versions of this on YouTube and I always wondered how someone could lean against the back without everything flying apart and causing injuries.

[BMsculptures]

Please check response to Tsutunc.... Construction adhesive is amazingly strong and durable

[shalnachywyt]

I don't know what I'm doing incorrectly, but every time I use any type of adhesive, whatever I try to "glue" together falls apart!

[BMsculptures]

Hm.... No idea, it takes 24-48 hours to fully cure. Are you allowing the proper curing time? Never had that problem.

[shalnachywyt]

Maybe that's the problem. Thanks!

[PTommo6129]

THAT WAS GREAT TO WATCH AND IT IS SO SIMPLE TO DO THANKS FOR SHARING

[BMsculptures]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[dodgecali08]

I would prob reinforce the back blocks to the bottom ones with something else besides construction adhesive. And I would make a smaller version of this and see how it stands/lasts without any issues. I see how other posts say it may hazardous, but if you don't know how to sit and just throw yourself against any chair, then you don't know how to sit in the first place! #justsayinghowiseeit

[BMsculptures]

Construction adhesive is EXTREMELY strong. the cinderblocks would most likely break apart before the adhesive does.

[skylane]

I used to call CONSTRUCTION ADHESIVE ...
"DESTRUCTION" adhesive.
That's how strong it is if you change your mind.
It doesn't allow for disassembly.
This is a CLASS A job!
Well done!

[BMsculptures]

hahaha Love it!