A quality outdoor bench can be the crowning jewel to any garden. With so many choices of materials and finishes, how will you know which one is best suited to your style and budgetary needs?
A bench can complete your outdoor living space by adding just the right touch of comfort and beauty. It can make an undiscovered corner of your garden inviting and new. It will allow you to explore those corners of nature that you hadn't noticed before.
If you are sprucing up your outdoor living space and need to purchase a new outdoor bench, here are some great tips to consider while you're shopping around.
What Materials Work Best for Outdoor Benches?
When you're shopping for benches, it's essential to consider the bench's material. Each medium has its pros and cons. To choose the best fit for your garden, determine the climate and the usage of your bench.
Wood
This material is always an excellent choice for outdoor spaces. You can't go wrong with wooden outdoor benches, which is why wood is often used for park benches and other public outdoor seating areas.
Look for wood that is center-cut hardwood. Check the grain, as well, as it should be consistent. The material of the screws holding the bench together is also essential; stainless steel or zinc-plated screws work very well in outdoor climes, and if your seat gets loose with age, you can tighten the screws to make it sturdy again.
Some of the best types of wood to build an outdoor bench are cedar, pine, or teak.
Pine and cedar age into a silvery finish unless they're treated, and benches constructed of pine or cedar lasts for generations. Cedar is more expensive than pine.
Teak is a tropical tree used to make boats. It is excellent in withstanding the wear and tear of the outdoors and can last up to 50 years if properly taken care of, which is why it tends to be on the pricey side. To maintain its lovely reddish hue, apply oil once or twice a year.
"The real enemy of wood in the outdoors is not sun or rain, but frost and ice. That is easily remedied by placing your hardwood bench in a shady, protected spot and using the protective cover in the winter."