Which Garden Bench material is best for your garden?
Garden Lovers will find choosing your garden bench as important as choosing your sofa. Whether your garden is big or small, with or without views, choosing the right seat will ensure you hours of pleasure within your own sanctuary!
Some people will be looking for a garden bench that will stand out and be a focal point within your garden whilst others are looking for a seat hidden away in a secret spot where they can enjoy peaceful moments.
The material in which your bench is made from will vastly be determined by the function of this bench. i.e if you are looking to use your bench regularly it will need to be comfortable. If however your bench is more about design and the overall look of your garden comfort won’t be top on your list when seeking out the perfect bench!
Regardless of its functionality, as with all outdoor furniture your bench will need to be made of strong stuff so that it remains durable against the outdoors elements. Materials for outdoor furniture should be weather resistant and require minimum maintenance. Some furniture will be made of more than one material.
For some teak is the ideal material, it is extremely durable and will last for generations. As soon as you purchase this type of bench apply an oil or stain to protect the wood. It will then only require a good wash down once a year.
Another option is Cedar, this type of wood is naturally insect resistant and will age beautifully into a stunning silver grey wood. Again I would advise you to firstly stain or apply oil to your new bench. The Red’s or whites of Cedar benches tend to blend magnificently into your gardens colour scheme. As with Teak this will require an annual wash down.
Redwoods vary in shades and their beautiful reddish brown shades make them extremely popular. Redwood can be sealed or left to weather. It has an outdoor lifespan similar to Cedar.
Pine and Poplar can also be used but do bear in mind these types of wood are not weather resistant and will require some form of finish. Paint is probably the best option for these types of wood is you are looking to purchase a pine or poplar bench.
Look out for an FSC stamp when buying wooden products. This accreditation stands for the Forest Stewardship Council and guarantees that the wood has been sourced from a sustainable well managed forest. Some products may be FSC 100% but mostly they guarantee 70% of the products material has come from a sustainable source.
Cast Aluminium, will last a life time and probably your child’s and grandchild’s too! This type of garden bench will need to be repainted every couple of years.
The cheapest type of garden bench is one made of plastic either polypropylene or PVC. Plastic benches will last a good length of time but are not as aesthetically appealing on the eye or as durable as wooden or metal alternatives.
If the end whatever your budget and reasons behind purchasing a bench there are plenty on the market. With enough out there to suit every person wishing to enjoy their garden!
Gardener Jack
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