Every residential or public outdoor space needs a comfortable sitting spot where you can rest or have a chat with your family or friends. Outdoor benches are thus an extremely important part of most outdoor settings, like residential lawns, courtyards, public parks, or outside waiting areas.
When choosing an outdoor bench, you have to consider both the bench material and style. Picking a bench that is durable, weather-resistant, and stylish can make any outdoor space more functional and inviting.
If you are planning to install outdoor benches in your outdoor space, then this article is all you need.
This blog covers the main types of outdoor benches, both in terms of materials and styles. It also lists some effective maintenance tips that you can follow to ensure your outdoor benches last for decades, so keep on reading till the end.
- Common Materials of Outdoor Benches
- Wooden Benches
- Wrought Iron Benches
- Aluminum Benches
- Concrete Benches
- Recycled Plastic Benches
- Wicker Resin Benches
- Styles of Outdoor Benches
- Backless Benches
- Park Benches with Brackets
- Curved Benches
- Tree Benches
- Swing Benches
- Rustic or Log Benches
- Wheeled Benches
- Picnic Benches
- Outdoor Benches: Maintenance and Care Tips
Common Materials of Outdoor Benches
The following are the main material types that are commonly used in the construction of outdoor benches.
1. Wooden Benches
Wooden benches are very common outdoor bench types that give you comfort and a natural feel. These versatile and affordable benches can be turned into various shapes to meet your specific aesthetic requirements.
The most common wood types used for these benches include redwood, cedar, and teak, which offer much better durability and weather resistance.
Wooden benches are a great option in areas where there are no pests or intense weather. These benches are prone to splintering, rot, and deterioration, which can be avoided with regular maintenance.
2. Wrought Iron Benches
Wrought iron outdoor benches are a great option as they offer superior weather resistance and strength. Apart from exceptional sturdiness, these benches also possess undeniable beauty and style.
These benches are coated with powder using a chemical, scratch, and moisture-resistant material. Wrought iron benches can experience rusting when exposed to water or moisture for a long time.
To get rid of the rust, you can simply use a wire brush to clean the bench and then paint the affected areas. This can ensure your bench keeps looking fresh for years to come.
3. Aluminum Benches
You can also choose aluminium benches, which tend to be a lot lighter than iron benches. These benches are stronger than wooden benches, and they can easily withstand rough use for years.
These benches, however, do not work that well in extremely hot or cold areas where there is excessive sunlight or snow. These benches are prone to wearing or chipping, which is why you need to pay extra attention to their regular maintenance.
4. Concrete Benches
Concrete outdoor benches and seats also offer you unparalleled durability, along with an elegant minimalistic look. These benches can be molded in various shapes, and they come with a wide range of textures to meet your exterior design needs.
These long-lasting, low-maintenance, and weather-resistant benches tend to be heavier, which makes their installation quite difficult. Concrete benches can be combined with other materials like wood or metal to increase their aesthetics and comfort.
5. Recycled Plastic Benches
Another popular class of benches is the recycled plastic or resin benches, which offer you high-durability and a contemporary feel. These benches offer exceptional resistance to moisture, mold, pests, and harmful UV rays from the Sun.
This makes them an ideal option for domestic and commercial outdoor spaces where they have to deal with harsh weather and heavy traffic.
These lightweight but durable benches can be made in various styles and colors to make sure they blend well with your space. These eco-friendly benches, however, are not as sturdy as wooden or metal benches, and you have to consider their weight capacity while using them to ensure they don’t crack or break.
6. Wicker Resin Benches
Wicker resin-based outdoor Benches are also a great option; they are more durable and low-maintenance than wooden benches. Made from recyclable polyethylene, these benches feature greater UV and impact resistance.
These benches do not split like natural woven wicker, and they do not absorb water like regular wood. Wicker benches do not fade, peel, or crack easily, which ensures you get the best value for your money.
These benches are lightweight, which gives you greater portability and cleaning ease.
Styles of Outdoor Benches
The style or construction of an outdoor bench directly affects its intended purpose, comfort, and overall aesthetics. After picking a suitable bench material, next, you need to consider your usage and choose an outdoor bench style that offers maximum functionality and convenience.
Following are some common styles of outdoor benches that you can consider for your space.
1. Backless Benches
These benches only have a smooth sitting surface without any backrest. These minimalistic benches are perfect for lawns, public parks, gyms, and shopping areas.
Backless benches are lightweight, and they allow you to sit more freely facing any direction you want.
2. Park Benches with Brackets
These benches consist of a slatted seat and backrest mounted on strong metal brackets that are fixed to the ground using bolts. These brackets add extra structural support and durability to these benches.
Park benches with brackets are placed on walking trails, kids’ playgrounds, and scenic overlooks. These are also a great option in domestic lawns or gardens where you need a timeless look and greater weather and impact resistance.
3. Curved Benches
Curved or circular benches, as the name suggests, are benches that are curved to add an aesthetic as well as a social element to the design. These benches are fixed around trees, tables, sculptures, fountains, or other central elements. The design of these benches encourages and facilitates social interactions.
These benches can blend seamlessly with your garden or patio, creating a stylish and comfortable sitting spot.
4. Tree Benches
These benches are a great option for houses or public places that have sturdy trees. The tree benches utilize the structural beauty and strength of trees to create a stable sitting arrangement.
In this design, a group of adjacent connected chairs encircle the diameter of the tree with the back of the bench facing the tree. These benches allow you to better utilize the space around the trees in your garden or lawn, and they create an elegant and inviting overall vibe.
5. Swing Benches
This is another popular bench style that adds a swing-like motion to the traditional concept of outdoor benches, creating a more relaxing experience. These benches are connected to a sturdy overhead frame, and their seats feature backrests and armrests.
The seats of these benches hang by the frame with chains or roads that facilitate the to and fro movement of the bench. These benches work well in parks, porches, and private gardens.
6. Rustic or Log Benches
Rustic or log benches are crafted from wood logs, slabs, or branches. These benches retain the knots and textures of the wood, creating a more natural feel.
These benches are the epitome of sturdiness, elegance, and a timeless style. These are mostly built in rustic gardens or along campgrounds and hiking trails. Log benches give you a sense of authenticity and a deep connection to nature with their weathered appearance.
7. Wheeled Benches
Wheeled outdoor benches combine both convenience and durability. These benches resemble regular outdoor benches except for the fact that there are two wheels instead of legs on one of the sides of the bench.
This means you can easily move these benches around with very little physical effort. You can store these benches inside in case of bad weather to protect them from damage. This increases the lifespan of wheeled benches, saving you a lot of money in the long run.
8. Picnic Benches
In this style, two outdoor benches are attached to a central table to facilitate casual outdoor dining. You often find these benches in parks and recreational spots where you can spend quality time having delicious homemade meals with your family.
These benches serve a dual purpose, both as a bench and a table, which makes them a smarter investment compared to other outdoor benches.
Outdoor Benches: Maintenance and Care Tips
Outdoor benches are constantly being exposed to environmental elements like harsh UV rays, winds, rainstorms, and temperature fluctuations. That is why you need to take every necessary measure possible to keep these benches clean and maintained.
Following are a few effective tips that you can follow to make sure your outdoor benches stay in the best shape for years.
- Regularly clean your wooden benches with a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap and then wipe them down with a sponge or a soft cloth to get rid of dirt, leaves, or organic matter buildup.
- Use quality wood oil for wooden benches and a sealer for concrete or metal benches to add an extra layer of protection.
- Use raised surfaces to place the benches and ensure the water can easily drain away from below.
- Use weather-resistant covers to protect the benches during harsh weather.
- If your benches are movable, it is better to shift them inside when bad weather persists.
- Repair minor holes or cracks with putty or a timber filler to prevent permanent damage.
- Inspect and re-tighten screws and bolts of the benches and make necessary structural repairs by rewelding joints or replacing wooden components.
- Spot treat areas where the paint is chipped or the sealants are faded to prevent further damage.
Conclusion
Outdoor benches can make any outdoor space more aesthetic, functional, and inviting. When picking these benches, you need to consider weather conditions, your usage, budget, and durability requirements.
You can find wooden benches in a variety of materials, and each can be made into several shapes or designs to fit your needs. This is why you need to look into each of the materials and styles of the outdoor benches to find something that not only looks great but also lasts long.
You can visit us at Naran Precast Concrete Co. today to order our custom-made concrete seats and benches to add a unique and stylish touch to your space with very little effort.