The 10 Best Wood For Garden Bench Slats 2020 (Reviews & Buying)

One of the best ways to add a finishing touch to our landscape is to purchase a garden bench These benches come especially handy when you look to enjoy the fresh outdoor air. An outdoor bench provides a comfortable place to sit especially after a hectic day. Not just this, it is a place where you can unwind from the happenings of the day. However, garden benches can be made from different materials. Wood especially is the commonest type of material used to make garden benches. So the question is, which wood is best for my garden bench slats? The answer is to purchase the best wood for garden bench slats.

Looks easier than you imagined? Yeah, the answer wasn’t far-fetched. Let us look at some of the best wood available.

Acacia

Eco-friendly and sustainable, the acacia wood is one of the best wood for making benches. This is because they are abundant and durable. Since the wood is dense, they are often used in building boats. Now imagine that wood for your bench.

Shorea

This is a genus name for about 200 species of trees. Shorea grows predominantly in the Asian rainforest and is one of the few sustainable kinds of wood out there. They are tight-grained hardwood that is dense and durable. The tree is rot-resistant and puts up a fine performance against insects.

Cedar

Resins in Cedar make them rot and insect-resistant. This makes it an excellent choice for your bench. Plus, since it paints well, it comes in handy when you want your bench to match other furnishings in your garden. However, cedar tends to scratch more than hardwoods like shorea. On the good side though, it retains more moisture and is crack-resistant.

Redwood

Redwoods are soft and are often used for outdoor furniture. However, they are durable and weather-resistant. One of the advantages of having a bench made out of redwood is that they are stable and don’t shrink easily. Coating such a bench with a sealer protects it from scratches and dents.

Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Wood for Garden Bench Slats

Material

Just like we explained above, garden benches are of different types of woods. Besides the ones we have listed above, we recommend that you look for benches that have consistent grain. You can screw it with stainless steel screws or galvanized screws. It makes tightening easy if it ever comes loose due to aging.

Metal Attachments

Another factor to consider is the metal attached to the bench. Like wood, some type of metal crumbles when you expose them to harsh weather. Plus, the appearance of the metal has to match the look on the bench. Some of the popular metal types include cast iron, extended aluminum, and ornate iron. If you want a lightweight bench, then you should look for one with an extended iron. However, they are not as elegant and strong as cast iron. Not just this, cast irons are heavier and more expensive. Ornate iron, on the other hand, are more wind-resistant. The rule is to specify the type of metal attachment feature you want with your bench and buy accordingly. More than the wood and metal, there are also bench attachments that you need to consider. This includes plastic, resin, decoration, etc. Generally, benches made of plastic resin are affordable, lightweight, easy to maintain, and durable.

Style

The style of your bench should complement your garden space. Since you would need to save on space, the best bet is to look for a bench with the most functionality. For example, there are some convertible benches that you can roll up and convert to a picnic table. Others can simply fold down to save storage space. Hence, you need to check the design on the bench to make sure that it is what you want. Plus, artistic design on the bench is another factor that you need to consider. For kids, benches with natural or animal representation are more appropriate. For adults, you can check for classic style, vine representation, and other styles that you desire.

Space

We measure benches in inches and ft. As a result, it can fit only a specified number of people. By implication, a bench for two persons will not fit four persons. The list goes on and on. What this means is that you should estimate the number of people that will use the bench before purchasing it.

Costs

The price range between different garden benches vary and the margin of difference can be huge. However, expensive benches are not often the best types. Although we don’t recommend that you purchase the cheapest bench on the market, we advise you to check for the build quality. Once you discover a bench with sufficient build-quality at your budget, you can go ahead with the purchase.

Product Review

Some of the best wood for garden bench slats in the market are listed below:

1. Plow & Hearth German-Made, Weatherproof Resin Garden Bench

Available in green colors, the Plow & Hearth German-Made Resin Garden Bench puts up a strong performance against the weather. Featuring commercial-grade PVC, the bench is weatherproof and practically indestructible. Designed like park benches, the classic-looking bench can seat three people comfortably. For added stability, you can bolt the piece of furniture down. Since the bench is designed to last for a long time, its traditional design makes it easy to fit it anywhere. Plus, it is easy to maintain.

2. Coral Coast Coral Coast Norwood Outdoor Wooden bench

Premium Acacia wood and Natural Acacia wood finish characterize the Coral Coast Norwood Outdoor Wooden bench. A classic back-seat design with natural wood grain finish sets the bench apart from many other benches out there. Besides perfect for outside, the stylish design on the bench adds style to your outdoor décor. Measuring 4 ft and 18-inches high, the bench can sit up to 4 people.

3. Giantex Patio Wooden Bench

The Giantex Patio Wooden Bench measures 4-ft and is foldable to give you all the outdoor fun that you desire. Designed to sit two persons, the bench has an Acacia wood structure for strong and lasting performance. Durable and weather-resistant, it does not chip, peel, or crack easily. Not just this, premium galvanized screws take care of rust. There are also strong legs on the bench that can take up to 705 lbs of weight. For versatile use, the product has a foldable and ergonomic handle. With enough space to seat two people, the bench is one of the best wood for garden bench slats.

4. LIFETIME 60290 Wood Alternative Glider Bench

The mocha brown appearance of the LIFETIME 60290 Wood Alternative Glider Bench gives it a clear and sleek look. Designed from weather-resistant polystyrene simulated wood, the bench is UV protected to resists chip, peel, fade, and crack. One of the biggest advantages of the polystyrene is that you don’t need to repaint or varnish the coating. Furthermore, ball bearings on the bench provide a quiet and smooth glide. Slats on the bench also make it easy for water drainage, and powder-coated steel frames improve durability.

5. Park Bench Garden Metal Outdoor Furniture Benches

The Park Bench Garden Metal Outdoor Furniture Benches for patio yard is sturdy and powder-coated with a rust-resistant finish for a smooth look. Designed with reinforced steel, the bench is sturdy and stable enough to ensure years of outdoor usage. There are vine embellishments on the bench that gives an attractive look. There is also a specific manual and complete accessories that make it easy to assemble the bench within a short period. The edges are all finished with no raw cuts to catch on clothing. As a result, it makes up for a good way to relax during the day.

6. Outdoor Garden Bench Wood and Metal Furniture Deck

Another exciting garden bench is the Outdoor Garden Bench Wood and Metal Furniture Deck by Coral Coast. The hardwood slat garden bench comes with sleek black cast iron in the feet and arms. This gives it a heavy feel and corrosion-resistant performance. The bench PVC back is also detailed in a crisscross pattern to add style to its design. Curved seats and armrest make it comfortable to rest on, and painted wood finish forms an icing on the product.

7. Belham Living Richmond Curved-Back 4-ft. Outdoor Wood Bench

Sturdy and well designed, the Belham Living Richmond Curved-Back 4-ft. Outdoor Wood Bench is easy to assemble. The product comes delivered in four pieces that include the seat, the seatback, left leg and armrest, and right leg and armrest. Do note that the instruction does not indicate which direction it should face, however, it is fairly easy to assemble. Constructed from durable red shorea tropical hardwood, the bench is oil-dipped for durability. Strong galvanized steel bolts protect against weather, and curved arm and backrest give it an attractive finish.

8. Garden Bench Park Bench Outdoor Bench

The Garden Bench Park Bench Outdoor Bench by Dkeli is strong, safe, and easy to assemble. Advertised as perfect for outdoors, the park bench is reinforced with a flat iron that supports up to 480 lbs. This coupled with high-quality steel ensure stability. The safe bench is powder-coated and has a rust-proof surface. This makes it easy to clean. Solid slats make it waterproof and prevent rot. Plus, there is a 12-months warranty on the product to take care of an unsatisfied purchase.

9. Lifetime 60054 Convertible Bench

Another convertible bench, the Lifetime 60054 Convertible Bench features faux wood construction for durable performance. Designed for easy one-person conversion, the furniture is weather-resistant and durable. The product is ultra-stable as it can be used in either position. What’s more, it is chip, peel, rot, and crack-resistant. The slats make it easy to drain water off the bench, and it comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

10. Best Choice Products Kids Mini Sized Park Bench

The Best Choice Products Kids Mini Sized Park Bench for picks wraps up our list of the best wood for garden bench slats. Designed to provide a comfortable place for kids to sit, the bench is perfect to relax after a long day playing outside. For a fun appearance, the backrest of the bench is adorned with images of trees, giraffe, lion, elephant, and rhinoceros. Hardwood slats on the bench complete the scenery outside, and rust-resistant cast iron aluminum gives it a durable frame.

Conclusion

Although there are many products on the market, our list covers just about everything that you need. Check your budget, style, and climatic condition of your area before buying the bench. The best wood for garden bench slats are durable, attractive, and sturdy. Carefully go through the list above and you should have no problem selecting a product out of the bunch.