How to Make Cement Seats

Choose an area where you want to put your cement seat and decide its size, shape and length. It is important to make a precise plan since the whole process of making a cement seat is done with a mold, which you will place and allow to set at the final location of the seat.

Construct a mold for your cement seat using scrap lumber or other wood panels. Use a circular saw to cut the boards and a nail gun to attach them into the final shape. For example, for a simple garden seat without a back, you will need to make a mold that resembles a shallow bath tub. The result will be a simple cement slab. If you want a more sophisticated garden seat, make molds for the sides of the seat, roughly in the shape of a two-dimensional chair. Add wood boards for the actual seating area later between the two cement sides. The texture of the panels will eventually be the texture of the seat and plan.

Mix the cement mix according to the instructions on the package. Notice that a difference between a concrete and a cement seat is in the aggregate. Namely, a cement mix has a more smooth paste consistency and therefore a more sleek final result. Usually, concrete has gravel mixed in and a cement paste has sand. Make sure to stir the paste until the cement mix is smooth.

Place the mold on the location you chose for your cement seat. While it is physically possible to lift the structure once it is done, cement seats are heavy so make sure to position the mold before pouring the cement. Depending on your final design and preferences, you may need to dig a shallow foundation for the seat.

Pour the cement mix in the mold, making sure the mold is sealed and sturdy. Use a scrap wooden rod to mix the cement once it is inside the mold to assure it is evenly distributed.

Allow the cement to harden and cure in the mold for a minimum of 14 days.

Remove the mold gently and carefully, using a claw hammer to remove the nails first. After the nails have been removed, carefully take off the wood panels to reveal the final design of your cement seat.

Use coarse sandpaper to smooth out the surfaces of the seat if needed. If you want, you can use a rotating power tool with a sandpaper disc.

Add a wood board seating part if needed, using a power drill to make the holes for attaching the boards and screws to tighten them to the cement part of the seat. Also, use outdoor concrete paint if you want to paint your cement seat.

Leave the cement seat to cure without the mold for another 14 days.