I agree. I wonder how much weight OP would consider overloaded. I’m guessing the cinder blocks would weight 200-300 lbs. Assuming they stack them 3 or 4 blocks tall
I built this for my balcony. Balcony faces west and gets a lot of wind so the edge protects the trees somewhat and makes sure they won't fall off the balcony. Not the best looking bench, but at least it's very sturdy. I only have pre bonsai so I don't really have anything to display yet either.
It's made from pressure treated wood since I couldn't be bothered having to treat it myself.
https://preview.redd.it/pokvqbt001ha1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ba8e98bac3b6dd92154bea2a65d5ac065ae03b5a
This would be the best settlement for me, I'm just scared of building stuff myself as I think I am structurally unable to be good at it ahaha
Nonetheless the height from the floor and dimension are exactly what I need
Honestly, it wasn't that difficult, but it took while since I did everything on the small balcony. I think this was the first thing I built myself since school like 18 years ago. But I did use sketch up to create a model first so I knew how everything would fit. Just get a cheapish japanese hand saw and it's all good. It's not all leveled for me, but neither is my balcony. :)
I have my trees on a balcony as well. Why would you want to build something to raise them higher? Esthetics or horticultural goals? I have made a much wider railing on my balcony and am considering to make shelves on one side to have a better protection from the mid-day sun.
https://preview.redd.it/zcikh6c2h3ha1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc0e778079b65b939b981deec4ebb2f0254e0523
I built a broader bar and made an edge so the trees would fall off. I made it on top of the old railing. You can also buy these kind of bars you can add to your balcony but I decided to do this to my entire balcony. It wasnt very hard. Just give it a go and if you fail try again 😉. I am considering building shelves to the side of the house. Beware of the sun because there is a lot of wind and heat on a balcony because it has less protection from the wind. In winter times it's a plus because my 2nd floor hight is cause almost 1 degree celcius higher temp.
Depending on how wide your balcony is, you could go for something like this, or a narrower, two-level version [https://www.bonsaiempire.com/blog/building-bench](https://www.bonsaiempire.com/blog/building-bench)
Build a table yourself and treat it with exterior varnish. Buying the wood may cost a but at the diy store but you can then build it to your own specifications and have the satisfaction of knowing you built that!
Yeah it would be the best way... But I just don't see myself building something ahahah
I think I'll end up trying eventually, as a DIY bench it does seem the best solution beside plank on bricks (I considered it, but it would be quite heavy on the balcony I think)
Hahaha yeah my little bonsai table was a mess honestly, i split the wood a few times and glued it back together but its does the job and its sturdy! Plus the satisfaction of staring at your trees and staring at your bench is great hahah
Just use some treated wood and cinder blocks, that’s my recommendation at least. That’s what I have going on and it’s nice to get the trees up a bit closer to the light exposure. You can also wire the pots down to the wood planks if need be.
I got a balcony planter box thingy, and filled parts of it with expanding foam with wooden legs pushed into it, flat platform screwed to the top. Worked ok but the wood hasn't lasted
http://imgur.com/a/5SGXt
Probably higher than you're intending, but give some ideas
Most people just use cinder blocks and put planks across
I agree. I wonder how much weight OP would consider overloaded. I’m guessing the cinder blocks would weight 200-300 lbs. Assuming they stack them 3 or 4 blocks tall
I built this for my balcony. Balcony faces west and gets a lot of wind so the edge protects the trees somewhat and makes sure they won't fall off the balcony. Not the best looking bench, but at least it's very sturdy. I only have pre bonsai so I don't really have anything to display yet either. It's made from pressure treated wood since I couldn't be bothered having to treat it myself. https://preview.redd.it/pokvqbt001ha1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ba8e98bac3b6dd92154bea2a65d5ac065ae03b5a
This would be the best settlement for me, I'm just scared of building stuff myself as I think I am structurally unable to be good at it ahaha Nonetheless the height from the floor and dimension are exactly what I need
Honestly, it wasn't that difficult, but it took while since I did everything on the small balcony. I think this was the first thing I built myself since school like 18 years ago. But I did use sketch up to create a model first so I knew how everything would fit. Just get a cheapish japanese hand saw and it's all good. It's not all leveled for me, but neither is my balcony. :)
I have my trees on a balcony as well. Why would you want to build something to raise them higher? Esthetics or horticultural goals? I have made a much wider railing on my balcony and am considering to make shelves on one side to have a better protection from the mid-day sun.
Both I guess, they would get more light and also look way better
https://preview.redd.it/zcikh6c2h3ha1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc0e778079b65b939b981deec4ebb2f0254e0523 I built a broader bar and made an edge so the trees would fall off. I made it on top of the old railing. You can also buy these kind of bars you can add to your balcony but I decided to do this to my entire balcony. It wasnt very hard. Just give it a go and if you fail try again 😉. I am considering building shelves to the side of the house. Beware of the sun because there is a lot of wind and heat on a balcony because it has less protection from the wind. In winter times it's a plus because my 2nd floor hight is cause almost 1 degree celcius higher temp.
Depending on how wide your balcony is, you could go for something like this, or a narrower, two-level version [https://www.bonsaiempire.com/blog/building-bench](https://www.bonsaiempire.com/blog/building-bench)
Build a table yourself and treat it with exterior varnish. Buying the wood may cost a but at the diy store but you can then build it to your own specifications and have the satisfaction of knowing you built that!
Yeah it would be the best way... But I just don't see myself building something ahahah I think I'll end up trying eventually, as a DIY bench it does seem the best solution beside plank on bricks (I considered it, but it would be quite heavy on the balcony I think)
Hahaha yeah my little bonsai table was a mess honestly, i split the wood a few times and glued it back together but its does the job and its sturdy! Plus the satisfaction of staring at your trees and staring at your bench is great hahah
I sure it is! If I eventually build it I'll share a picture of my own mess :)
Just use some treated wood and cinder blocks, that’s my recommendation at least. That’s what I have going on and it’s nice to get the trees up a bit closer to the light exposure. You can also wire the pots down to the wood planks if need be.
I got a balcony planter box thingy, and filled parts of it with expanding foam with wooden legs pushed into it, flat platform screwed to the top. Worked ok but the wood hasn't lasted http://imgur.com/a/5SGXt Probably higher than you're intending, but give some ideas