Licensed carpenter · Sydney
Custom outdoor benches and built-in seating
Built-in benches made to measure for decks, terraces, pools and garden edges, in timber or composite to match what's around them. A good fit when loose furniture would clutter the space or blow around.
- Google reviews
- 5.0 from 33
- NSW licence
- 276621C · Carpenter
- Quotes
- Free, on site
- Licensed
- Since 2014
About outdoor benches
A built-in bench is seating that's part of the structure: framed into a deck, fixed along a wall or fence, or built as the edge of a garden bed.
It doesn't blow over, doesn't need storing in winter and takes up less room than chairs. On a rooftop terrace in Birchgrove we built an L-shaped bench from the same composite boards as the deck. In Dundas we built a composite-clad bench along the fence beside a spa deck.
Because it's built on site, a bench can follow the exact shape of the space: into a corner, around a curve, along a wall, or around a tree or planter. Its height and depth are set for how you'll use it, whether that's sitting with a drink, lying in the sun or perching beside the pool.
The frame matters as much as what you see. A bench on a deck is framed off the deck joists or its own posts, so it stays solid when people lean back on it. A bench on a rooftop or balcony has to be fixed without piercing the waterproofing underneath.
Finishing a bench in the same boards as the deck makes it look like part of the build. On a new deck, we plan the bench with the deck. On an existing deck, we check the frame and whether matching boards can still be bought.
Bench types we build
- 01
Built-in deck benches
Framed into a new or existing deck, along an edge or a step, and boarded to match.
- 02
L-shaped and corner benches
Seating that turns a corner fits more people in less space, like the rooftop bench in Birchgrove.
- 03
Benches along fences and walls
A bench running along a fence or wall, as at Dundas, with its own frame so it stands on its own.
- 04
Storage benches
A hinged lid over a framed box for cushions and pool toys. The lid keeps rain off but isn't watertight, so the box needs drainage and airflow.
- 05
Benches with backrests
A slightly reclined backrest makes a bench comfortable for longer sitting, and can double as a deck-edge rail where the height allows.
- 06
Garden edge and planter benches
A timber seat on top of a garden bed edge or planter, so the garden and the seating share one structure.
Before we price it
What makes a good outdoor bench
Height and depth
A seat around 420 to 450 mm high suits most adults. A depth of about 400 to 500 mm suits upright sitting; go deeper for lounging with cushions.
Shedding water
Seat boards are gapped and the top is set with a slight fall, so rain runs off instead of sitting in the joins.
Fixing
On a deck, the bench is bolted to the frame. Along a fence, it gets its own legs or posts rather than relying on the fence. On a rooftop, it fixes to the deck frame, never through the membrane.
Material
Composite stays splinter-free and needs no oiling, but dark colours get hot in summer sun. Hardwood is kinder to sit on in cool weather and can be sanded back.
Near a pool
A bench close to a pool fence can give a child a foothold. It has to sit outside the barrier's clear zone.
Our work
More outdoor benches we’ve built
Each job with its suburb and what we built. Open one for the full set of photos.
What customers say on Google
Google rating
5.0
From 33 reviews on Google
“From the first conversation, Hamzeh and his team were honest and straightforward about what the job would involve and what it would cost - no surprises along the way.”
Can you add a built-in bench to my existing deck?
Usually. We check the joists where the bench will sit and fix the bench frame to them, adding blocking or posts where needed. The tricky part is matching the boards, because older timber has weathered and composite colours change. We tell you how close a match we can get before we start.
How high and deep should an outdoor bench be?
For upright sitting, around 420 to 450 mm high and 400 to 500 mm deep works for most adults. If you'll use cushions, allow for their thickness in the height. For lounging, go deeper. If you're unsure, measure a chair you find comfortable and we'll work from that.
Timber or composite for an outdoor bench?
Composite needs no oiling, won't splinter and can match a composite deck, but darker colours get hot in direct sun. Hardwood is warmer to sit on in cool weather and can be re-oiled and sanded. For a bench in full western sun, a lighter composite or a hardwood is more comfortable.
Can a bench have storage underneath?
Yes. A lift-up lid over a framed box works well for cushions and pool gear. The box needs drainage holes and airflow so nothing goes mouldy, and a lid stay so it doesn't slam on fingers.
Can you build a bench on a balcony or rooftop?
Yes, as we did on a rooftop terrace in Birchgrove. On a waterproofed surface, the bench fixes to the deck frame rather than through the membrane, and it's built to handle the wind on an exposed roof.
Regions we work in
We build across these parts of Sydney. Open your region to find your suburb.
Northern Beaches38 suburbs
Sydney City20 suburbs
Eastern Suburbs40 suburbs
Keep looking
Related services
Planning an outdoor build? Tell us about it
A few details and a photo or two of the area are enough to start. We'll be in touch to talk it through.
- Send a few details and a photo or two
- We call you back to talk it through
- We measure on site and price the job