How to Build an Extension on a Church Stage

Lay plywood section across sawhorses and drill holes every 10 inches on all edges, about an inch in from the edge.

Draw two straight lines with chalk across the plywood from inside the holes drilled on the sides, each about a third of the distance of the long side of the plywood. Drill holes every 10 inches along these lines.

Flip the plywood over and place 2-inch-by-4-inch lumber, narrow side facing, over the drilled holes on the length and width of the plywood sheet. Glue the lumber to the plywood and allow it to dry.

Attach C-clamps to each piece of lumber to hold them firmly to the plywood and flip the plywood back over.

Drill wood screws into each hole all around the edges of the plywood.

Flip the plywood back over and carefully measure the interior distance from the pieces of lumber on each short side of the plywood. Cut 2-inch by 4-inch lumber to fit snugly, then glue over the holes you drilled. Allow glue to dry. These will be the cross braces.

Flip the plywood back over and drill screws into the cross braces.

Flip the plywood over once again, measure carpeting to fit exactly, then glue the carpet to the plywood. Staple the edges every inch or so to secure the carpet.

Cut 24 pieces of plywood to the height you desire for your stage extension plus 4 inches.

Cut notches in each piece 1 inch below the top. Each notch should be 3 inches deep and 3 inches tall.

Glue four pieces of plywood together to form a post, with all the notches matching up to form one large notch. Make six posts in all. Once the glue has dried, use wood screws to reinforce the posts, with screws added every 6 inches.

Place posts at all four corners of the plywood platform, and slide the edge of the plywood into the notches. Place the other two posts in the center front and center rear of your stage. Cover the tops of all posts jutting above the stage with carpet matching the carpeting on the stage, and glue it in place.