How to Build Curved Benches for Around the Pool

Adding a bench around the outside of a pool gives you a place to sit and enjoy the pool area or watch loved ones while they swim. Benches come in a several material options, including wood, metal or concrete. Concrete is a more durable material, since it won't rust or mold with water exposure from rain and pool water. However, purchasing a concrete bench can be expensive, especially if you want a curved model. Making your own curved pool bench requires less money and can be completed in a few steps.

Plastic tarp
Curved bench-top concrete mold
Concrete-mold release agent
Vegetable oil
Paper towel
2 pieces of plywood, 20-by-20-by-3/4-inch
2 cylindrical concrete mold tubes, 18-by-12-inch
Plumber’s caulk
Quick-set concrete
Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Cover a large, flat surface, such as the garage floor, with a large plastic tarp. Place a curved bench-top concrete mold on top of the tarp. Coat the inside of the mold with a concrete-mold release agent. Alternatively, coat the inside of the mold with vegetable oil and a paper towel.
- 2
  Place two 20-by-20-by-3/4-inch pieces of plywood on the tarp. Place two 18-by-12-inch concrete mold tubes on the plywood pieces. Coat the inside of the tubes and the plywood with the concrete release agent or vegetable oil. Seal the outside edge of tubes where they meet the plywood with plumber’s caulk. Let the caulk set for 30 minutes.
- 3
  Prepare a batch of quick-set concrete, following the package directions. Mix enough water into the concrete to create a pudding-like consistency. The amount of concrete depends on the mold used. Most store-bought molds include a guide to the amount of concrete needed for the project. However, if you do not have an indication of the amount needed, use a concrete calculator, such as the one offered by ConcreteNetwork.com (see Resources section).
- 4
  Pour the prepared concrete into the concrete molds. Tap the molds to release air bubbles. Let the concrete dry for three to five days. Check the concrete daily to watch for wells forming in the top of the concrete. If you observe wells, fill them with more wet concrete.
- 5
  Release the concrete from the molds. Follow the mold’s directions for proper release, since directions may vary. Some directions require you to peel the mold away, for example. For the tubes, cut down the side of the tubes with a utility knife. Then peel the tube away. Discard the plywood.
- 6
  Apply a 1/4-inch layer of wet concrete to the top of the two concrete tubes. Place the curved bench seat on top of the wet concrete ends. Position the concrete tubes spaced evenly between the two ends of the bench seat. The exact placement will vary based on the dimensions of the base. Adjust the placement as needed until the seat is balanced and does not tip one direction or the other.
- 7
  Let the wet concrete set for three to five days before using the bench.

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