When designing the ideal bench for your needs, you should consider many factors. From style, size, color and other preferences to durability, functionality and maintenance requirements, you need to make many decisions to choose the best type of bench. One of the most important decisions to look at when designing your bench is the type of material to construct it from, with the classic three choices being recycled plastic, metal or wood.
Goto Rongtai to know more.
This outdoor furniture materials guide compares your bench material options, detailing the benefits of each one for outdoor furnishings. Our guide also walks you through some of the critical factors to consider when choosing bench material, as well as some frequently asked questions about outdoor benches to help you land on the right choice.
Outdoor furnishings, including park or public benches, need to be durable so they can stand up to repeated use, weather and other concerns. To design the best bench possible for your requirements, you must choose the right bench material that will give you the look and longevity you desire.
To choose the correct bench material, you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each material type. By knowing your priorities for bench material, you can narrow down the perfect option for your outdoor benches.
The primary outdoor bench materials to choose from are recycled plastic, metal and wood.
For organizations looking to meet sustainability objectives, recycled plastic is a good bench material option that aligns with an eco-friendly mission. Recycled plastic is a versatile material that can be molded to suit virtually any style or function. Here are the primary traits of recycled plastic as a bench material:
Whether you&#;re looking for a polished, glossy look or a style that adds character, metal possesses the properties that make it an excellent material choice for benches. Metal can be fabricated in many different shapes and styles and from a variety of metal types. Consider the following attributes of metal bench material:
Wood is the most traditional outdoor bench material, typically used in parks or on private grounds. These are the main characteristics of wood bench material:
Since all three bench materials types &#; recycled plastic, metal and wood &#; provide durability, comfort and aesthetic benefits, it can be challenging to choose which material is right for your needs. When selecting bench material, it&#;s important to consider the application of the bench, the geographical region and the amount of traffic the bench will get. Finally, there&#;s also a financial consideration. Bench materials can vary widely in cost, depending on many factors, including size, quantity and style.
When choosing your bench material, consider these six factors to help you make your decision.
When deciding which bench material is suitable for your setting, consider your climate and the common weather patterns your region experiences. You want to select a material that is most resistant to the type of weather it will encounter.
For example, moderate climates experience very mild temperature changes throughout the year, making all three materials a viable choice. However, extreme climates that experience bitter winters and humid summers may need to avoid wood or plan to weatherproof the material regularly. Because wood retains moisture, it shrinks during the winter and expands again when the weather heats up. Without properly air-proofing the material, the bench will be prone to warping, splitting or cracking as the relative humidity changes.
Both metal and recycled plastics may provide better weather resistance if the bench is directly exposed to the elements. Wood benches are better for sheltered locations to prevent visible wear.
To ensure your outdoor benches maintain their appearance and last as long as possible, you will need a strategy for regularly cleaning and repairing them. Certain bench materials are easier to clean and repair than others. The easiest way to clean outdoor furnishings is to use a pressure washer. This will eliminate built-up dirt and grime efficiently. However, pressure washing is best done safely on recycled plastic or metal benches, which can easily withstand the powerful streams of water.
Wooden benches are best washed by hand. If the bench&#;s protective sealant is wearing off, and you use a pressure washer, water can seep into the material&#;s pores, eventually leading to warping. This makes wooden benches more laborious to keep clean, which may be a primary concern if you&#;re managing a large quantity of them.
All three bench types can be repaired, depending on the nature of the damage. From loose bolts to broken slats, each bench material can be dismantled and restored as needed.
While comfort is a subjective measurement, some universal criteria exist to examine how well your guests may enjoy sitting on your outdoor benches. Some factors to consider when deciding on comfort level include:
Along with durability, maintenance and comfort, appearance is an essential factor in how to choose bench material. Outdoor benches come in many different styles, so you can create a cohesive look with your existing hardscaping. You want your benches to appear inviting, offering a place for your guests to rest comfortably.
When choosing bench material, decide on your overall aesthetic. For a more natural look, wood or wood and metal combinations offer a charming rustic style. With metal being such a versatile material, it can create benches that look modern and practical or traditional and refined. Likewise, recycled plastic is another versatile bench material, which can be designed as synthetic wood, recreating the more raw look of a true wooden bench.
When considering materials, it&#;s vital to reflect on the functionality of the bench and whether it will be stationary or moveable. Movable benches, such as those in campgrounds or private gardens, should be made from lighter-weight materials, such as softwoods, plastic or aluminum.
When you need your bench to remain stationary to keep your space tidy and safe while preventing theft, it&#;s better to have a sturdier, heavier material that can be secured to the ground and provide a more substantial presence. Metals and hard plastics tend to be preferred in high-traffic areas, such as retail centers, shopping malls, and public transit stations. They can be built with solid framing and be bolted to or embedded in the ground.
When choosing your bench material, your budget is a crucial factor. Numerous factors determine the price of a bench and which bench material you can afford. Wood can be expensive, particularly if you&#;re seeking a specific species. If you need many benches, this can potentially make wood an even less affordable option.
Recycled plastic is a readily available and popular material that makes it a budget-friendly option, particularly for retail centers, malls and other businesses that use several benches. Metal benches are more expensive to purchase upfront, but their longevity and low maintenance costs make them an affordable long-term option.
With the above factors in mind, you may still need help considering what aspects of a bench will meet your specific needs. Benches can serve a wide variety of purposes and can be found in a range of spaces, from highly trafficked public locations to private properties. By asking yourself who will be using the bench and where it will be located, you can fully assess your bench material needs and make the wisest decision and investment.
When shopping for benches, ask yourself the following questions to help you consider the functionality and location of your bench as well as the type and amount of traffic your bench will accommodate.
The first question to ask yourself when deciding on bench material is who will be using the bench the most. If your benches are located in highly trafficked areas, then you&#;ll get a broad range of people using your outdoor furnishings. From older adults to young children and their parents to everyone in between, the bench needs to be functional for all. Recycled plastic and metal can both withstand this level of heavy use.
For benches on private property, such as on the grounds of condos or office buildings, the traffic will be much lighter than in public areas. Therefore, if you prefer wood for your bench, private grounds are the right setting for this material due to its limited use.
Once you understand the type of traffic and wear your bench will undergo, you should determine your budget before making any further decisions. When budgeting for your upcoming investment in outdoor benches, consider the following factors that determine the cost of benches:
When choosing your bench material, it&#;s also important to consider the purpose of the bench and what function it will serve. This will help you determine the best type of material for the bench&#;s primary use, the style of the bench and how big it should be.
Here are some examples of different ways that benches are used in different spaces:
There may also be a special purpose for the bench, such as to honor a loved one. Memorial benches are a way to add beauty and sentimentality to outdoor spaces while remembering someone who enjoyed the space. They&#;re also a way to offer a generous donation to a local park, charity or other cause on behalf of a departed loved one.
Since different bench materials require varying degrees of ongoing maintenance, it&#;s crucial to assess the level of care you can perform. All benches need to be inspected and maintained to some degree. Benches left improperly maintained can become safety hazards that can harm children and adults.
If you desire a bench that is as low-maintenance as possible, then you&#;ll want to opt for the most durable material and style available. Recycled plastic benches are designed to be a low-maintenance option, requiring minimal ongoing care. Solid plastic benches are much less likely to warp, crack or split compared to wood.
Metal is also another lower maintenance material, although it will need to be refinished periodically to prevent corrosion. Wood benches require more ongoing maintenance, which could be less of a concern if only a small number of them are maintained.
Finally, the last question to ask yourself is which style you prefer. Wood and metal benches are two different styles. Wood benches are generally placed in natural settings surrounded by trees and vegetation, such as parks and gardens. Metal benches are more aesthetically cohesive when placed in urban spaces, including shopping malls, plazas, and other public places.
Recycled plastic offers flexibility in styling. It can be made to look like wood, metal or any other finish, so you can get the ideal style you like while benefiting from the other features this material offers.
Creating the perfect outdoor bench for your guests is a great investment to add more functionality to your outdoor spaces and provide an area to rest and wait comfortably. High-quality outdoor benches enhance the aesthetic appeal of a property and increase its value as well. Choosing a suitable bench material preserves this investment, providing a durable, long-lasting product for many people to enjoy for years to come.
For all of your outdoor bench needs, choose Wabash Valley Site Furnishings. Whether you&#;re looking for a single memorial bench or an entire outdoor furnishing solution for large public spaces, Wabash Valley Furnishings can help you select the right bench for your project. Browse our outdoor benches and make the selections you need to find the right bench material, size, and color for you. Our recycled plastic benches are made for longevity and minimal maintenance, preventing warping and retaining durability. Contact us today to learn more about our options on our line of outdoor benches.
A park bench is a convenient spot for visitors to rest and enjoy their surroundings. If you are the project manager designing a park or community space, you want the visitors to feel welcome and comfortable sitting on the benches. Finding park benches with a sturdy, rust-free material that will last for many years and still look good is ideal for your community landscaping project.
There are park benches available in many materials. Let&#;s look at the options and compare the pros and cons of each to determine the best material for outdoor park benches.
Benches made of wood are the cheapest option in the group. They give a natural look to match a surrounding with trees and mulch. When you first install a wooden bench, they are beautiful and comfortable for park visitors.
Through time, stain and paint on wood begins to fade and requires upkeep or more frequent replacement to stay in a welcoming condition.
Aluminum is a lightweight metal, making aluminum benches easy to install or move. They cost a little more than wood benches and have a longer life. The biggest issue with aluminum benches is the inevitable oxidation which may cause the finish to wear and chip. Aluminum park benches are not a good choice for areas with harsh weather conditions. Communities with snow, beachside parks, and anywhere there is extreme heat or cold would be best to avoid the aluminum material seating.
Benches made of Recycled Plastic are an eco-friendly, long-lasting, and durable option. They are moderate in price and have many different layout options: backless benches, commercial park benches, benches with arms, memorial benches, and ADA-compliant park benches. The 100% Recycled HDPE plastic benches have a solid color molded throughout with a UV protectant so that the color stays vibrant and won&#;t get damaged by the sun. HDPE recycled plastic materials are molded into different styles for you to choose from.
The recycled plastic park bench is perfect for maintenance-free community seating. This bench material resists moisture, rot, mold, and insects.
For more Metal Rolling Benchesinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
A solution to weathering on metal benches is to apply a thick thermoplastic coating to the metal to protect it from natural elements. These coatings make the metal beaches durable and longer lasting. These metal benches are also lower maintenance and keep color. They are a heavier option and more costly than aluminum benches. The standard waffle-like texture and rigid material are not as comfortable to sit on as the other bench types. They also have a less natural aesthetic and are usually used in park playgrounds to match brightly colored equipment.
Concrete benches are highly durable and have a minimalist look. The cement material is customizable in different colors and textures to provide a higher-end look. Concrete seating is not as comfortable as other bench types. There are many styles of concrete benches, and the cost varies depending on how simple or ornate you would like them to be. Concrete benches would match well at parks with fountains or other concrete structures. The biggest drawback to this material is the weight. Concrete is bulky and heavy which is costly to ship.
Benefits
Wooden Benches
Aluminum Benches
Recycled Plastic Benches
Metal Benches with Coating
Concrete Benches
Cost Range
$100 - $
$150 - $
$280 - $
$350 - $
$350 - $
Easy To Install
X
X
X
Durability
X
X
X
Rust/Wear Free
X
X
Fade Resistant
X
X
X
Low Maintenance
X
X
X
Eco-Friendly
X
X
X
Aesthetic
X
X
X
Style Options
X
X
Recycled plastic is the best and most eco-friendly material for outdoor park benches. This durable material is affordable and holds up in any climate. If you are planning a commercial landscaping project that requires outdoor furnishings, Signature Streetscapes is happy to help provide a quote. We offer recycled plastic furnishings including benches, picnic tables, and trash receptacles.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Ebb and Flood Benches.