Modern concrete and wooden benches make a striking addition to any landscape design, adding a clean and contemporary aesthetic that can be tailored specifically for each space.
Steel-reinforced concrete frames these 7" benches with attractive heavy-duty wood seats and backs for an appealing aesthetic that complements any environment. Choose between different color and finish options for your concrete and wooden benches to match your preferred aesthetic.
Design
Concrete benches make a beautiful addition to any garden or outdoor space, from gardens and backyards to parks and businesses. Not only are they long-lasting and durable, they don't require cushions or upholstery to look their best either! Furthermore, they're easy to keep clean and can withstand all sorts of elements without needing additional treatments such as cushions. Plus you can customize it so it fits seamlessly with the aesthetic of your home or business - with just a bit of creativity, any plain concrete bench can become stylish piece of furniture that impress friends and family alike!
Public spaces equipped with concrete benches allow individuals to relax while waiting their turn, helping reduce fatigue and stress while making the waiting experience less tedious for all involved. Furthermore, this gesture shows businesses' consideration and care towards customers and employees - creating a more professional image in the eyes of the public.
There is a wide variety of benches designed to complement every architectural style from modern to Victorian. A sleek and simple bench may work best in your contemporary home while elaborately carved wooden benches would fit right in with Victorian homes. In terms of garden benches, a contemporary garden would look best with one made from weathered wood or concrete while Victorian gardens might require one more detailed than weathered wood to emulate an authentic cast iron seat design.
All concrete benches are constructed using high-grade, weather-resistant materials that will stand up to outdoor conditions. While they can be placed anywhere outdoors, these benches work particularly well when placed near gardens, landscape features or trees. They can also be strategically arranged around views or focal points to add beauty to an urban environment, and pair well with other hardscape features, like fountains or tile/brick patios. Furthermore, they make great rest stops along walking paths. Concrete's neutral gray hue serves as an ideal backdrop for vibrantly hued plants, flowers and landscaping materials. Furthermore, benches constructed of concrete can be combined with other garden furniture pieces like tables and chairs to form a complete and unified look in your outdoor area.
Materials
Concrete benches, whether comprised entirely of concrete or using it as the basis for other bench materials like wood, are increasingly popular choices in commercial settings. Their sleek modern appearance requires little upkeep while remaining durable enough to withstand heavy use and resist vandalism. Concrete benches may even be sealed to protect them from the elements and keep them looking their best for years.
Wooden benches are another popular choice, lending their natural aesthetic to many landscape designs. You can paint or stain these benches to customize the space they adorn; paints and stains add color and create specific looks in any given environment. While wooden benches tend to be softer than metal benches, they still withstand frequent use without becoming damaged; you may leave the natural beauty of the wood showing through or treat it with weather-resistant stain or paint treatments for extra weatherproof protection.
Choose the ideal bench material for your space by considering its intended use. Benches intended for waiting, such as those found at bus stops and transit stations, tend to be made out of metal or wood. They're also popular at public parks and gardens, schools, sports complexes - and residential areas where residents want a spot outdoors where they can sit back and relax.
Memorial benches are another type of wooden bench that can add an intimate and personalized touch to outdoor spaces. Usually designed as a tribute to someone who enjoyed spending time outdoors or volunteering or working for charities or organizations that support children or members of their community, memorial benches can also serve to commemorate special events like an anniversary.
If you decide to build a wooden bench, start by creating the mold/frame of your bench seat and legs out of 2x4 boards cut to 46" long, using 2 x4 @ 46' screws as required for assembly. Next mix concrete using QUIKRETE 5000 before pouring it into your forms using tapping all sides with the form trowel to avoid air bubbles before leaving to set for five days in warmer climates or seven in colder environments before taking down forms and removing from storage.
Preparation
Concrete benches can add versatility to landscape design by blending with natural elements and complementing multiple architectural styles. Ideal for public spaces where seating is required - like parks and gardens - concrete benches provide a sturdy structure while serving as the backdrop for colorful flowers, plants, and landscaping materials. Molds for custom concrete benches can also incorporate elements like rock, wood or stone for optimal effect.
Ultimately, selecting the ideal bench material depends on its primary use and geographic region as well as cost considerations. Recycled plastic, metal and wood all offer distinct properties which make them suitable for different uses and environments.
Wood benches tend to be more appealing and comfortable than their concrete counterparts, yet are less durable and may require more maintenance. Regular staining and sealing could protect surfaces from rain, snow and sun exposure as well as damage from rust, vandalism or rot; nonetheless they remain popular due to their natural warmth.
Metal benches are popularly chosen in commercial settings like transit stations and shopping malls for their security and theft prevention measures, often bolted or embedded into the ground for added protection against theft. Their modern aesthetic makes them easy to match to existing building architecture and landscape design schemes; recycled plastic offers another good solution, mimicking either wood or metal while offering flexibility of style.
Before beginning to construct a concrete bench, it is crucial to first prepare the site where it will be installed. Plastic or tarp should be laid down to contain spills and dust. In addition, rubber gloves and protective eyewear should always be worn when handling wet concrete; while mixing concrete should be thick enough so as to hold its form when shoveled into forms but spread easily with a trowel.
Installation
Concrete benches make a fantastic addition to any outdoor seating area, as they are long-lasting, durable, etchable/engravable benches that come in an assortment of colors and designs. Furthermore, they resist rust and can easily be cleaned - popular choices among park and public space environments because they're budget friendly; eco-friendly because they can be recycled back into concrete construction projects; they even can be crushed down for recycling into eco-friendly building material projects!
If you're planning to add a concrete bench to your landscape, the first step should be preparing its site. Select an area in which the bench will reside, and dig a square 8 to 10 inches deep where it will reside. Next, construct forms around this area using 2x4s and 2x6s on edge; add gravel inside each square as weighting material so it doesn't move once concrete has been poured into place.
Once your form is ready, mix the concrete according to its instructions on the bag. Pour it into the forms using a hand float for smooth surface finishing. After filling all sides with concrete, tap all around it on all sides gently so any air bubbles may escape before tapping all sides on all sides to release air and prevent your concrete from looking foamy once dried. Allow your concrete to set for five days before demolding it.
Once your concrete has set, you can install your bench. If you are installing it into a patio with pavers, leave the footings and pad exposed or cover them with pavers to complete installation. For benches placed directly onto a concrete pad, expansion bolts or drop-in concrete inserts must be used to anchor them securely to the surface; expansion bolts feature threaded ends that secure site furnishings to the concrete surface; to make a permanent fixture, embed drop-in concrete inserts using a hammer and setting tool; the threaded insert will catch onto expansion bolt threads to stop its uprooting by the ground surface.