HELP - How to make curved seating???

[bruffc]

Hi all,

I have a kidney bean shaped concrete patio. On the curved section of the patio (next to the yard) I would like to build a knee high stone wall that could serve as a bench.

My plan was to build the framing, cover with concrete board and then put stone veneer with flagstone top. I want to use stone veneer because I want to match the stone on the front of the house.

Now that I'm really thinking about it I don't know how I would build the curved frame, let alone attach concrete board to it. I was thinking I'd use the metal 2x4 studs for the framing but how would I build a curve? Any ideas? The curve will be approx 14ft long so it's not too drastic of a curve. I didn't want to use wood for the framing because of the snow/ice/rain we have in KS. Would I be better served to build the 'frame' out of cinder block and then put the stone veneer on the cinder blocks?

Any help/ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

[BigguyZ]

You may have some trouble finding a cement board that is flexible enough. However, I think Hardibacker might work. It's 1/4". But what you do is you use vertical studs with the edge definine the curve. Then, use a 1/4 or 1/8" plywood to sheath the studs. The plywood will allow you to bend the sheet to conform to the frame.

[pelligrini]

You might consider pouring a curved wall out of concrete then apply the stone to it. Then there would be no wood to rot.

[chopnhack]

To be honest, once you cap the wall with your stone topping and allow for overhang for your seating, I really don't know how much of that gentle curve you will see. But first, what are your abilities? Can you lay block, can you build a curved form? If not then consider framing out of pressure treated lumber. Establishing the curve with framing would be the easiest. If your concerned with water getting inside you could always cover the framing with a membrane such as for roofing (whatever you want to spend on it - from peel and seal to just 30lb paper) and then sheat it with as someone else posted the thinner hardiboard. Don't use permabase as I have noticed that it is stiffer than hardiboard. If your curve is greater than what the hardiboard will bend to, you can kerf the backside to make it conform to the shape. HTH

[crokett]

I don't think hardibacker is flexible enough to conform to much of a curve. I've worked with it several times and it doesn't flex much. As was mentioned I would build a form and then pour it out of concrete. That takes a lot of the worry out of it in regards to rot, plus it gives you the curves you want.

[August86]

Some possibilities:
There is available a segmented track to use with metal studs to make circles.
Backer board may be too thick, but Hardee siding nay be wetted and then may be flexible enough to bend.
There's always metal lath to make a bed for the stone.

Mike D.

[chopnhack]

I am going to have to disagree with you on this one crokett because the OP is saying that the shape to conform to is kidney shape and the curve is on a 14 ft length. The hardibacker should be able to conform to that. We are not talking about bending the material into a tight radius. Flexing the material maybe an inch or two over a sheets length should be all that's needed. I'm just off the cuff with the numbers, I am sure if the OP posts more info someone can come by and determine mathematically the exact amount of flexing that will be necessary to achieve the radius needed. Plus its still unknown what skill set the OP has.

[bruffc]

A picture

Thanks for the info so far.

Attached is a picture from last year when the addition (the kidney bean shape) was added.

Also attached is a current picture with a pergola added. The knee high seating is 'planned' for in between the pergola post (well, encapsulating the posts actually).

I had never thought about having concrete poured for the knee high seating and then putting the stone veneer on the outside of the concrete. I will have to get that quoted as that may be my answer.

Thanks again and keep the ideas/suggestions coming

Bryan

[bruffc]

And pergola picture.......

This is a current picture showing the pergola posts which, hopefully, will encapsulate the knee high seating.

[cabinetman]

It might be decorative just to lay out the wall with some good looking brick and mortar.
.

[Deke]

Good morning everyone,

I can't quite picture what Bruffc has in mind, so I may be way off base with this point of view. It seems to me though, that pouring 14' of concrete, knee high and maybe 16" (?) wide would be a lot of weight on that existing concrete. I am thinking that it is only a 4" deck, not a 6" deck. So, I would go with framing the bench, rather than pouring it. Like I said, I might not be seeing the whole picture, so if I am wrong, then forget I said anything !!! LOL LOL

[August86]

Or, as a base for your stone, you could lay 8 inch or 12 inch block. Depends on how deep open want the seat. You could pour the block and save forms for concrete.

Mike D.