One of the most popular wooden benches I could find is the Strathwood All-Weather Hardwood Bench. There is no doubt why this model is so popular. At your local garden or furniture store you can expect to pay anywhere from $500-$1000 for a wooden bench, and that’s on sale!
This outdoor wooden bench by Strathwood is under $150 and it comes with free shipping too. You do not need to spend lots of money to find an attractive outdoor bench and this model gives you a very affordable option, you could even buy a couple!
Description:
The Strathwood All-Weather Hardwood Bench comes in both 3-seater and 2-seater sizes, although the 3-seater is only a few dollars more, giving you the choice of what will fit best in your garden. This bench can be used indoors if you prefer or outdoors. As it is specifically designed for outdoor use, it is all weather, ensuring it can withstand various outdoor weather conditions. It is sturdily constructed as well as very attractive to the eye. This elegant bench can bring both beauty and function to any patio, garden, deck, porch, backyard or an indoor sunroom or living area.
What is it made out of?
It is made of a durable FSC-certified Eucalyptus hardwood which is earth friendly as Eucalyptus trees are readily available. Eucalyptus wood is dense and has a strong resistance to weather. Often compared to Teak wood, as a more affordably yet durable option, Eucalyptus wood has a natural resistance to rot and insect infestation. You do not need to oil this type of wood, but you should if you want to maintain its color. If you decide to leave it untreated and leave it exposed to weather conditions it will weather and turn a soft silvery gray color. Natural aging such as cracks and splits in the wood can also appear. Treating the wood annually can prevent this, and maintain its look. Eucalyptus wood furniture is also not too heavy, and light enough to move around easily.
Design:
The Strathwood All-Weather Hardwood Bench is designed for comfortable seating with a slightly curved seat and back, with enough depth to sit comfortably. The 3-seater model is designed to be wide enough for 3 people to sit on. It has a simple yet very elegant open slatted design, making it a beautiful focal point in any space. This design attributes to its all weather state, as rain water can easily fall through the wooden slats, letting the furniture dry out quickly after rain. The slats are not uncomfortable though, and are close enough together to provide a smooth seating surface. Some easy assembly is required upon arrival and all the hardware needed is included with the bench.
Measurements:
- Dimensions: 60 inches wide by 26 inches deep by 34 inches high
- Weight: 37 pounds
Positive Feedback:
Due to its amazing popularity, the Strathwood All-Weather Hardwood Bench has received a lot of feedback. On Amazon you can find over 80 reviews, with more than 70 of them being positive, with 4 or 5-star out of 5 ratings. Many owners love the bench describing it as very beautiful with its attractive and elegant design. Quality wise, many state that the Strathwood Bench has a very sturdy and solid construction and is comfortable even without a cushion. This is great if you don’t want to worry about cushions getting wet in the rain, and needing to bring them inside just in case it rains. The seat itself is designed to tip back slightly making a comfortable rest spot.
Looks wise it looks very beautiful especially for its price range. It has a lovely warm brown color, and looks a bit more like a matte light brown, rather than the shiny orange color as shown in the picture. This allows it to look very natural in an outdoor environment.
Size wise, comments vary, many think it is a true 3-seater bench and has plenty of space for 3 people to sit comfortably, while others say it might get a little squishy with 3 larger people sitting on it as they would touch elbows for a longer period of time. I guess a few more inches in width wouldn’t hurt, but we take what we can get at this price range.
Assembly wise, most owners have no trouble putting it together taking anywhere from 15 – 45 minutes. Some women said they were able to put it together easily by themselves.
Overall owners are very happy with their purchase, stating the Strathwood All-Weather Hardwood Bench is a great bench at a great price.
Negative Feedback:
With the many reviews raving about this product, there are also a few negative reviews thrown in, which is often the case with highly popular items. Some have stated that although the bench is attractive, sturdy and looks like it does in the picture, the quality of materials is cheap. It may be worth paying a little more for a higher quality bench. One owner stated that it is not terribly comfortable, and good for a 20 or 30 minute period of sitting, but not great for longer periods such as resting for an hour or two reading a book. The wood is a little hard on the bottom, so you may want to invest in a bench cushion if you want to sit on it for longer periods of time. A few owners have complained that their product was not packaged properly and some came damaged on arrival. Other reviews comment that the bench was packaged well, so this seems to be a case of bad luck or someone is screwing up in the packaging department. Another owner commented that the bench is great if you want it mainly for its looks.
Conclusion:
With 84% of owners loving this bench, it appears to be an excellent option for this price range, and is a lot cheaper than other benches of this type. The Strathwood All-Weather Hardwood Bench is suited to those looking for a cost effective wooden bench with a lovely attractive design.
Where to buy it?
Both the 2-seater and 3-seater versions of the Strathwood All-Weather Hardwood Bench can be found for a very affordable price from Amazon. Click on the link below to find over 90 reviews of this attractive yet low priced wood bench.
Click here to see the Strathwood All-Weather Hardwood Bench at Amazon.