How To Choose An Outdoor Bench

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.

Metal

This material is another excellent choice in terms of durability and price. Metal benches do not need as much care but also aren't quite as comfortable as wooden or wicker benches.

There are a few types of metal that work better in the outdoors than others. Cast aluminum, extruded aluminum, and ornate iron are three superb choices for outdoor metal benches.

• Cast aluminum is heavy and durable, more so than extruded aluminum, and can convey intricate design patterns.

• Extruded aluminum is not as durable as cast aluminum, but it is lighter, so it's easier to move around if you haven't decided on a spot yet.

• Ornate iron was all the rage in the Victorian Age, and its curlicues and elaborate designs are reminiscent of this style period.

Metal outdoor benches are a great choice because they will last 50 years or more and won't wear visibly as wooden benches will.

Other materials

There are also outdoor benches made of wicker, resin, or plastic. Wicker benches, whether all-natural or treated to make them weather-resistant, are made of rattan vines, bamboo, or cane. These should only be used in a covered area outdoors as they can degrade quickly.

Plastic or resin benches are a great affordable choice as they are lightweight, easy to care for, and the newer models offer some fantastic style choices.

Some materials lend themselves naturally to certain styles. Japanese benches are usually simple, with a wide seat, and without a back. These benches work best when they're made of wood or reclaimed wood.

Baroque benches are incredibly romantic and would fit perfectly underneath a weeping willow next to a meandering stream. The whorls and viney designs on these benches are best displayed in metal, although wood or wood-like plastic could make a credible substitute.

A contemporary bench would work in almost any material as this style can refer to the clean lines and simplicity of modern design or the slightly more ornate mid-century modern.

Quick Tips

• Weather-resistant cushions are a fabulous way to jazz up your outdoor bench. You can swap them with the changing seasons.
• Clean outdoor cushions with warm water, soap, and a sponge or, if there are tougher stains, use a stiff-bristled brush.
• Locate your bench amid a copse of trees or flowering bushes to create a private paradise.
• Situate your bench so that it affords whoever is sitting on it a gorgeous view, whether it's of the mountains or a flowering rose bush.
• Pair your outdoor bench with a sturdy side table on which to place trays of lemonade and cookies, or your current novel.