Picnic Bench – Which Type To Buy

Summer is upon us and that means cookouts and barbecues. Maybe it is time to buy or replace your picnic bench. There are several types of picnic benches available to you. Let’s look at the many types of picnic benches that you can choose from.

Before buying a picnic bench, ask yourself a few questions about how you plan on using the bench. Will the bench be set on grass or on a solid surface like a wood deck or a cement floor? Will the picnic benches need to be moved frequently? Is this a stand alone piece of outdoor furniture, or is it to match you existing patio furniture? Is the picnic bench fro residential or commercial use? How often do you plan on using your picnic bench?

The answers to those questions will help you pick out the right picnic bench for you.

A wood picnic bench is classic and timeless. I tend to like the beauty and warmth of natural wood. But not all wooden benches are equal. Depending on your budget there are several different grades of wood picnic benches to select.

Classic and best known is probably an old growth redwood picnic bench. This is usually top of the line when it comes to a wood picnic bench. I have seen this type of bench offered by manufactures with up to a 30-year warranty. That is quite a statement to make but shows you how good a redwood picnic bench is. From there you can find lesser grades of redwood, going down to a 10-year warranty. Another wood that is frequently used for a wood picnic bench is cedar. Others woods that are using for making a picnic bench are Douglas fir and southern yellow pine. Teak benches are also very attractive and can stand humidity very well. These are still very nice wooden picnic benches and should last you several years.

Some other decisions you need to make regarding a wood picnic bench are its finish. Do you prefer an all-natural look or do you want it painted? You can go for a clear sealant for the bench or maybe choose one with a tint to it. When it comes to painting a picnic bench, be sure to get a good quality paint that can handle the beating rays of the sun, and can take abuse from repeated usage.

A picnic bench that has been becoming popular is the recycled plastic benches. These are made up of recycled plastic and are made to look like wood. These recycled plastic picnic benches are made of high density recycled plastic and can stand up to salt air, heat and cold. The advantage here is that it won’t rot, warp or crack. You will typically find these used in commercial areas.

Aluminum picnic benches are also popular. Many aluminum picnic tables are foldable for easy storage.They are very low maintenance and last a good long time. You can find them in various colors or even paint them yourself.

Instead of purchasing a picnic bench, you may prefer to build them yourself. Building your own isn’t all that difficult. You can find picnic bench plans on the Internet. This will allow you to choose the type of bench to make according to your skills.

Something else you may want to consider when selecting a picnic bench. Do you want picnic bench cushions with it? This can certainly dress up your picnic area and make it stand out.

As you can see, there are many different picnic benches to choose from. You can go from an expensive redwood picnic bench to more modestly priced plastic picnic benches. Shop around and find the right picnic bench for your budget.