Simpson Strong-Tie dealer sales rep John Ross has gained recognition for his innovative DIY pergola bench that blends style with utility. Crafted using our black powder–coated Outdoor Accents® hardware, this bench offers a perfect fusion of function and fun. Discover how you can easily DIY this versatile bench for your own backyard today.
I first found out about Simpson Strong-Tie through my wife’s cousin. He told me about a new dealer sales representative opening there and thought I’d be a good fit based on my previous employment at Lowe’s, where I worked for 16 years. Impressed by his positive remarks about the company, I applied and was hired in April, on April Fool’s Day to be painfully precise. Since joining, I quickly came to love the culture, the company and the people. My experience at Lowe’s, where I participated in weekend workshops to learn various DIY skills, and the renovations I have tackled as a first-time homeowner, have proven very useful in my current role.
I’m constantly thinking of innovative ways to highlight our product line, with a particular focus on our Outdoor Accents hardware. One of my notable DIYs is a pergola bench – a versatile seating bench that also serves as a great way to showcase our hardware.
My goal was to design a project that any do-it-yourself enthusiast could tackle over a weekend to enhance their backyard. This pergola bench has gotten quite popular among my customers and has become something of a specialty of mine. In fact, one of my customers even built one for their own backyard!
If you’re ready to build your own pergola bench project, the lists below itemize the lumber and cut sizes and the hardware pieces needed to make the DIY process a breeze.
Lumber Materials List
- 4×4 x 8′ (7)
- 2×4 x 8′ (6)
- 2×6 x 8′ (4)
- 4×6 x 8′ (1)
- 4×8 x 8′ (2)
Cut List
- Posts 4×4 x 79″ (4)
- 2×4 x 90″ (runners) top pieces (4)
- 2×6 x 84″ (girders) front fascia boards (2)
- 4×6 x 18″ (cross block) cross braces to support the bench seat (2)
- 4×8 x 66″ bench seat with 3″ overhang on both sides of the cross brace supports (2)
- 4×4 x 84″ back beam (1)
- 2×4 x 18″ armrests (2)
- 2×6 x 18″ (cross block) top cross braces (2)
- 4×4 x 33″ (perpendicular beams) left and right (2)
- 2×4 x 31″ joists (4)
- 2×6 x 52 1/2″ bench back rests (2)
- 4×4 x 26″ knee braces on back posts to back fascia board (2)
Outdoor Accents Hardware (Choose between our Mission Collection® and our Avant Collection™ styles)
Mission Collection Hardware*
- APB44 adjustable post bases (4)
- APB44DSP decorative post base side plates (4)
- APHH46 4×6 concealed-flange heavy hangers (4)
- APLH26 2×6 concealed-flange light hangers (8)
- APLH24 2×4 concealed-flange light hangers (8)
- APST412 flat straps (2)
- APT4 T flat T straps (2)
- APA4 heavy angles (3)
- APDJT2-4 deck joist ties (for fascia boards) (4)
- APDMW56 decorative washers (2)
- APBO-KT bottle opener (1)
- APA21 light rafter ties (48)
*Knee braces not available in this style.
Avant Collection Hardware
- APVB44 adjustable post bases (4)
- APVB44DSP decorative post base side plates (4)
- APHH46 4×6 concealed-flange heavy hangers (4)
- APLH26 2×6 concealed-flange light hangers (8)
- APLH24 2×4 concealed-flange light hangers (8)
- APVST412 flat straps (2)
- APVT T flat T straps (2)
- APVA heavy angles (4)
- APVDJT2-4 deck joist ties (for fascia boards) (4)
- APVDW56 decorative washers (2)
- APBO-KT bottle opener (1)
- APVA21 light rafter ties (48)
- APVKB45-4 knee braces (4)
Fasteners
- STN22-R24 hex-head washers, box of 24 (4) — 92 total
- SDWS22312DBB-R50 (3 1/2″ structural wood screws) 50 pk. (2) — 82 total
- SD10112DBBR50 (connector screws) 50 pk. (5) — 250 total
- SDWS22512DBBRC12 (5 1/2″ structural wood screws) 12 pk. (2) — 16 total
- SDWS25200DBBR50 (2″ structural wood screws) 12 pk. (1) — 4 Total
You can also take a look at a time-lapse video of how I built one of my pergola benches, too.
Start DIYing your own pergola bench today!