Can you leave a wooden bench outside?

Country parks and open spaces are often dotted with sturdy wooden benches, offering a perfect spot to pause and take in the scenery. These wooden benches, crafted to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, provide a comfortable place to take a break, recharge, and appreciate a view. Whether placed along winding paths, overlooking scenic vistas, or nestled under the shade of tall trees, they create a much-needed refuge for visitors to reflect and relax.

More often than not, the wood used to make recreational benches is typically chosen for its natural resistance to the elements and for its durability, ensuring it can withstand the extremes of British weather all year round – come rain, shine or snow. Wooden benches are generally made from hardwood timber, such as teak or oak, both known for their strength and resilience. This natural wood can be left untreated, but is often treated with oils or preservatives. This adds an extra layer of protection and colour, helping to guard against moisture, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations. These wooden benches are built to endure for many years with minimum maintenance offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal in outdoor environments.

You can bring the charm of a park or country wooden bench to your outdoor space. With its natural textures and warm tones, a wooden bench can instantly transform the garden into a cosy and inviting space. A bench can be located in the garden, patio, decking, or in a courtyard and will take up very little space. A bench is a compact outdoor seating solution that will not only enhance the look of your outdoor space, but it will create a welcome focal point for you and your loved ones to enjoy together.

When picking a garden bench, durability is a key consideration, especially if it is to be left outside all year round. The type of wood used to make it is key, and for those with a focus on environmental responsibility, it’s equally important to assess whether the wood comes from a sustainable source, as this supports both durability and ethical forestry practices.

In this blog, we explore the different types of wood that are well-suited for outdoor use and explain why some woods stand the test of time better than others. Not all types of wood can withstand all outdoor conditions. Timber that is not naturally resistant to moisture and pests will absorb water, leading to rotting and deterioration. Choosing the right wood will ensure your bench remains sturdy, beautiful, and environmentally friendly for years to come.

What type of wood should I look for in a garden bench?

There are two types of wood that a garden bench might be made of – hardwood or softwood. The most popular wood choices for garden benches being:

• Hardwood: Acacia, Eucalyptus, Mahogany, Oak, Roble, Teak
• Softwood: Cedar, Pine

Hardwood is typically harvested from deciduous trees that shed their leaves annually (autumn in the UK). Hardwood trees take longer to grow, but can be grown sustainably. As such, hardwood like teak tends to be darker and richer in colour and it can be left outside reliably without the worry of maintenance. Although any maintenance can enrich the colour of the grain and keep it looking like new for longer. This is a dense wood that can normally withstand outdoor use all year round in the UK.

Teak is particularly popular because it’s naturally resistant to moisture, decay, and insect damage, making it ideal for all-weather use in the UK. Whilst oak is strong and sturdy, it will require proper treatment to resist weathering and decay. Eucalyptus is a more affordable, eco-friendly option with natural oils that provide some resistance to the elements.

Softwood timber is sourced from fast growing non-deciduous evergreen trees which keep their leaves or needles all year round. The fast-growing nature of softwoods like cedar or pine makes it less dense and not as robust as hardwood. Cedar and pine, while softer has natural aromas that repel insects, and its weather resistance improves with sealants like varnishes or paint.

Benches made from softwood timber are lightweight, which makes them easier to move and set up. This practical consideration is important, especially if you prefer to store garden furniture during colder and wetter months.

Both hardwood and softwood offer unique characteristics in terms of durability, maintenance, and appearance. Some wooden benches use different types of wood to enhance the durability and functionality of their parts, like the feet, legs, arms, seat, and back.

Price will vary depending on what they are made with. Hardwood benches being generally more expensive than softwood benches. Much of this is down to the longevity hardwood offers in comparison to softwood which is not as weather-resistant, but also because hardwood takes longer to grow.

Will a garden bench come ready assembled?

Some wooden garden benches come fully assembled, but most garden benches ordered online will come flat packed with assembly and care instructions included. For example, our online collection of Alexander Rose garden benches all come flat packed ready to assemble at home. A wooden garden bench is a bulky item, so it makes sense for the consumer to receive it ready to assemble at home. This also helps to protect the bench in transit with every part packed and wrapped.

When constructing, we always recommend leaving screws loose until they can all be tightened together to ensure a good fit on all sides. Videos online can be helpful showing you tips on how to construct the bench, these can usually be found on manufacturer’s website.

Assembly of a wooden bench at home can be completed by one person, but a 2-person assembly is advisable to ensure the bench is in the correct position when fixing it together.

What do garden benches come with?

Our wooden benches arrive pre-cut, pre-treated and with all of the metal weather-resistant fittings required, as well as full assembly and care instructions. We do not include a fitted bench cushion or scatter cushions, but these can be easily purchased to fit your bench depending on the size. For example, a two-seater wooden bench will require a 2-seater bench cushion and a three-seater bench will need a 3-seater bench cushion, etc.

A bench cushion can not only complete the look and introduce a theme, but it will also provide enhanced comfort. Bench cushions are lightweight and can be stored easily, with some being made with season-proof fabric, so they can be left outside overnight throughout the summer.

We think a bench cushion makes the perfect finishing touch and adds a splash of colour for added interest.

How long will a wooden garden bench last for?

This depends on a number of factors, from the craftsmanship, to the type of wood the garden bench is made with. Generally hardwood benches will last longer, so these tend to come with a longer guarantee. Guarantees vary depending on the brand or manufacturer, but generally a high-quality hardwood bench will come with a 3, 5 or 10-year warranty.

Shorter warranties are offered with softwood benches, as these aren’t as durable or resistant to British weather. Typically softwood benches come with up to 3-years of warranty. But, if looked after and maintained well, these wooden benches can last for longer. Remember to hold on to your proof of purchase and register your warranty with the manufacturer direct for added peace of mind.

If maintenance is recommended, then it is important to follow this up annually. For example, teak cleaner, restorer, protector and shield products will help to prolong the longevity of a wooden garden bench, but remember to allow the product to absorb into the wood before using it.

Our wooden benches by Alexander Rose are low maintenance and they can be left outside ready to use whenever you want and they won’t require a protective cover. In fact, Alexander Rose benches are best not covered at all, as this will allow them to breathe and prevent mildew or moisture from pooling. Each bench comes with a reassuring manufacturer warranty, so it won’ disappoint for the years ahead.

Can I leave a wooden bench outside?

Yes, you can leave a wooden garden bench outside all year round, but if you want it to last for many years, opt for a hardwood bench that can be left outside for much longer than a softwood garden bench and with less maintenance. Discover our full range of in-stock wooden garden benches. We stock two hardwood garden bench ranges by Alexander Rose and both of these wooden garden furniture ranges come pre-treated and ready to use:

Roble range:

Roble hardwood has a light yellow interlocking grain with warm tones, if left untreated it will mellow over time to a silver or grey appearance. Using Alexander Rose colour protector can help to maintain its original tones. Timber treatment and sealer will help to give the wood a darker richer colour.

Sherwood range:

Sherwood has a chestnut-brown finish achieved by Alexander Rose with three coats of paint on Acacia hardwood. After the first season of owing a Sherwood bench, it can be sanded back and re-treated with Alexander Rose Sherwood Treatment, but it can also be left untreated if you prefer.

How will I know which size bench to choose?

There’s a wooden garden bench to suit every garden. As a guide we recommend the following sized bench for the number of seats you might require:

• Seating for 2: You will need a 4ft bench
• Seating for 3: You will need a 5ft bench

We hope you enjoy browsing our collection of garden benches and if you require further assistance, please feel free to email info@gatesgardencentre.co.uk or call to speak with our Outdoor Living experts in-store on 01664 454309.