How to Make a Front Porch Bench

Measure the 2 by 4 boards and mark them where you plan to cut. You should have two 47-inch pieces and two 9 1/4-inch pieces. Once marked, use the circular saw to cut the boards carefully along the lines you have made. Place the newly cut boards into a rectangular shape with flush corners, and standing on their edges. Make sure the 9 1/4-inch pieces are at the outermost parts of the frame (the cut parts of the 47-inch boards should not be seen), otherwise the seat for the bench will not fit later. Use a hammer to drive the framing spikes through 9 1/4-inch boards into the 47-inch boards. Use two nails per corner.

Install the bench seat by first cutting the 1/4-inch plywood to 9 1/4 by 50 inches. Place the plywood on top of the frame and use a hand drill to secure it to the frame with 2-inch screws. Use three screws on the short sides and four screws on the long sides. Cut a piece of the 1 by 12 board to 53 inches and place it on top of the plywood. There should be a little overhang on each side, so try to make it centered. Insert 1-inch screws through the bottom of the plywood into the 1 by 12 board on top.

Create the panel ends to support the bench. Cut the 3/4-inch plywood into two pieces that are 11 by 17 1/4 inches. Use 2-inch screws to attach these panels to the frame. Only one screw is necessary for each side.

Reinforce the bench by adding braces. Cut three right triangles out of the 3/4-inch plywood. Each triangle should measure 8 inches on the sides. Place the triangle braces in the corners where the panel ends meet the 1 by 12 seat of the bench and fasten them into place with 2-inch screws. Cut a 2 by 4 board to 50 inches, then place it centered, four inches from the bottom of the panels. Use 3-inch screws to attach both panels, creating a brace to hold the distance between the panels.