Patio Planter Box

Materials:

exterior grade ultra white paint
four 8"x1/4" x 8’ fiber-cement exterior siding
three 8-foot pressure-treated 2x4s
wood glue or polyurethane glue
ceramic coated deck screws
120-grit sandpaper
ceramic-coated tile board screws
construction adhesive
finish nails
one tube of painter’s caulk plus silicon
pea gravel
potting soil
flowers
paintbrush, roller pad and tray
straight edge
table saw
chop (miter) saw
clean, damp lint-free rags (for wiping away excess, construction adhesive, wood glue and caulk)
screw gun with a Philips bit
carpenter’s pencil
utility knife
sanding block
caulking gun
finish nail gun

Steps:

1. Paint both sides of the siding with two coats of paint.
2. With the table saw, cut the pressure-treated 2x4 in half lengthwise.
3. Make the following cuts with a chop (miter) saw:

4. Cut eight more pieces to a length of 12" adjusting the chop saw to make 15-degree angles (bevels) on both edges of each piece.
5. With wood glue, a screw gun and deck screws assemble the two 48" pieces with the two 12" pieces to make the top frame. Follow by assembling the two 44" pieces with the two 8" pieces for the bottom frame. Finish by attaching the beveled edged pieces between the frames on each end to form the sides. (Note: Use of the coated deck screws prevents corrosion from the pressure treated lumber.)
6. Place scrap siding on the two edges of the frame and mark the angle where they meet with a carpenter’s pencil. Then, score (cut) one side with a utility knife snapping it like you would drywall. Finish the edges with a light sanding.
7. Working from top to bottom, measure and cut the siding with a utility knife. Then screw in place with tile board screws overlapping (approx. 1’) for a shingled effect.
8. Attach a piece of 44"x8" siding to the bottom and drill small holes for drainage.
9. Cut 2" wide strips of siding to trim out the top. Attach with construction adhesive and nail into place.
10. Seal the corners and fill in all screw holes with painter’s caulk. Once dry give entire piece a third coat of paint.
11. Place a layer of pea gravel 2 to 3 inches thick on the bottom to allow for proper drainage. Then add potting soil and flowers.