MAKE THE TRELLIS FRAME.

1. Cut the frame sides (A), frame bottoms (B), long rail (C), short rail (D), braces (K) and seat supports (L) to length. To attach the frame sides and frame bottoms, drill two evenly spaced 3/16" pilot holes in the frame sides. Counterbore the holes 1/4" deep, using a counterbore bit. Fasten with glue and drive 2 deck screws through the frame sides and into the bottoms.

2. Drill pilot holes in the top faces of the long and short rails. Counterbore the holes. Attach the long and short rails to the tops of the frame sides with glue. Drive deck screws through the rails and into the ends of the frame sides. The long rail should extend 3 1/2" past one end of the frame (photo A).

3. Mark points 22 1/4" from each end on the frame bottoms to indicate position for the braces. Turn the frame upside down. Drill pilot holes in the frame bottoms where the braces will be attached. Counterbore the holes. Position the braces flush with the inside frame bottom edges. Attach the pieces by driving 3" deck screws through the frame bottoms and into the ends of the braces.

4. Position the seat supports 16" up from the bottoms of the frame bottoms, resting on the braces. Make sure the supports are flush with the inside edges of the braces. Attach with glue and 3" deck screws driven through the frame sides and into the ends of the seat supports.

5. Attach the braces to the seat supports by drilling angled 3/16 " pilot holes through each brace edge. Drive 3" deck screws toenail style through the braces and into the top edges of the seat supports (photo B).

JOIN THE TRELLIS FRAMES TO THE POST

1. Cut the post (I) to length.

2. Attach the two frame sections to the post. First, drill pilot holes in the frame sides. Counterbore the holes. Drive evenly spaced 3" deck screws through the frame sides and into the post (photo C). Make sure the overhang of the long rail fits snugly over the top of the post.

ATTACH THE LATTICE RETAINING STRIPS.

1. Cut the lattice retaining strips (H) to fit along the inside faces of the trellis frames (but not the seat supports or braces).

2. Nail the strips to the frames, flush with the inside frame edges, using 4d galvanized casing nails (photo D).

CUT AND INSTALL THE LATTICE PANELS.

1. Since you will probably be cutting through some metal fasteners in the lattice, fit your circular saw with a remodeler's blade. Sandwich the lattice panel between two boards near the cutting line to prevent the lattice from separating. Clamp the boards and the panel together, and cut the lattice panels to size. Always wear protective eyewear when operating power tools.

2. Position the panels into the frames against the retaining strips, and attach them to the seat supports with 1 1/4" deck screws (photo E). Secure the panels by cutting retaining strips to fit along the outer edges of the inside faces of the trellis frame. Nail strips in place.

BUILD THE SEAT.

1. Cut the seat boards (J) to length. On a flat work surface, lay the seat boards together, edge to edge. Insert 1/2"-wide spacers between the boards.

2. Draw cutting lines to lay out the seat shape onto the boards as if they were one board. Gang-cut the seat boards to their finished size and shape with a circular saw.

3. Attach the seat boards to the seat supports with evenly spaced deck screws, maintaining the 1/2"-wide gap. Smooth the seat board edges with a sander or router.

INSTALL THE TOP CAPS.

1. Cut the short cap (F) and long cap (G).

2. Attach the caps to the tops of the long and short rails with deck screws (photo F).

APPLY FINISHING TOUCHES.

Brush on a coat of clear wood sealer to help preserve the trellis seat.

Tip

Fabricated lattice panels are sold at any building center in standard 3/4" thickness. For our trellis seat project, we found and used 1/2"-thicklattice panels. If you cannot locate any of the thinner panels, use 3/4" thick lattice, and substitute 1/2"-thick retaining strips at the backs of the trellis frames.