The improvement of a suburban area is an important component of comfort. Even if the dacha is used exclusively for growing vegetables, a small bench or bench will be a great place to relax. The simplest types of structures can be built independently, using a minimum set of tools and skills in handling them.
A wooden bench is one of the oldest pieces of furniture invented by man.
Garden benches: types and features
Content
- Garden benches: types and features
- Requirements that a garden bench must meet
- Decorative benches made of natural materials
- Stylish bench with backrest
- Wooden bench without a single nail
- Wooden folding bench
- How to extend the life of wooden benches?
- Video: Garden bench made of wood by female hands
- Photo of wooden benches and benches
All structures, regardless of their external design, perform the same function. Any bench should give a person the opportunity to sit down and relax after working in the garden or just admire the beautiful natural landscape. A well-chosen design will perfectly complement any garden area.
Not a single suburban area can do without a bench or bench
A comfortable bench can be a place in the garden where you can retire, relax and enjoy the view of nature
The existing varieties of benches and benches can be classified according to several criteria:
- material of manufacture;
- type of construction (stationary, mobile);
- shape and size (straight, round, angular, curved);
- style and design.
Wooden benches are a traditional outdoor decor in summer cottages. But this does not mean that other materials of natural (metal, stone) or artificial origin (plastic, concrete) are not suitable for creating structures. They can be combined to create a unique design.
The combination of different materials increases the service life of products and allows you to create original designs
The simplest version of the product consists of 4 legs and a seat. However, backless designs are not as convenient and comfortable as they do not allow you to lean back and relax your back.
A simple bench without a back, made from available materials
There are also more complex options:
- with a back;
- in the form of a swing;
- with a table;
- transforming bench;
- with built-in storage box;
- with a canopy;
- with flower beds;
- with artistic design.
The shape and appearance of the bench depends only on the imagination of the person who will make it
Wooden bench with pillow storage box
Garden bench with padded seat and comfortable footrest
To create a beautiful artistic design, it is enough to deviate a little from the usual execution, for example, replace the sidewalls with figures of animals or fabulous creatures, decorate the back with carving, forging, use methods inlay.
Requirements that a garden bench must meet
First of all, the design must be reliable. If the bench is wobbling, something has been done wrong. In this case, you need to check the drawing and all measurements. If the product has lost its durability during operation, all fasteners and parts should be inspected for wear and damage.
You don't have to spend money on expensive materials to make a bench. You can often find suitable planks and sticks in the barn.
In addition, the design must be comfortable, which speaks in favor of choosing a wooden bench with a back, which provides for the ability to lean. To create a more comfortable environment, you can add a warm blanket and decorative pillows.
Everything is important in a garden bench: comfort, its location and the view that opens from it.
One of the components of convenience is size, the following parameters are considered optimal:
- Depth - 40 cm.
- Height (from the ground to the seat) - 40.5-45.5 cm.
- Length - 60-300 cm.
- Back height - 90-95 cm.
- The height of the armrests (above the seat level) is 18-23 cm.
- The backrest angle is from 15 to 30 °.
- Width - depends on personal preference.
An important requirement is resistance to negative environmental influences. The service life of the product depends on this indicator.
A bench is a place to relax, so it should be comfortable and functional.
Also, the design must be combined with the general exterior of the house and yard. Country-style products are distinguished by their simplicity, their natural color is preserved. Coloring in brown shades close to natural is allowed. To create a design in the Provence style, a white wooden bench is suitable. The colors of the cold spectrum (violet, blue, blue) are also combined with this direction. Bamboo is associated with oriental motives, which can serve as an excellent building material for a bench.
Wooden bench with country-style cart wheel supports
Provence style garden bench made of thin planks
The original design of a garden bench in the Art Nouveau style
Decorative benches made of natural materials
Natural materials include stone and wood. Such products are combined with the surrounding nature, fit perfectly into the landscape of the suburban area.
Fancy bamboo garden bench
Stone products are considered the most durable. One or more large boulders will be required for the creation. You can also purchase blocks of marble, granite and other natural stone from specialized companies. Such a bench will cost significantly more, but it will be aesthetically more attractive.
A stone bench can last for decades or even centuries
Wooden benches are the most common option. This type of material is affordable, easily amenable to any kind of processing, has natural warmth and excellent performance characteristics. Therefore, many summer residents prefer to create wood products with their own hands.
For the manufacture of a garden bench, a tree in the form of boards, beams, logs or branches is suitable
Metal can be used along with natural materials. Metal structures are mainly made of profiled pipes or are created by forging. The latter option requires special knowledge and skills of a blacksmith, so making such a bench with your own hands is extremely difficult.
A bench with a wooden seat and back, fixed on a metal frame, will last much longer than a product on wooden supports
Stylish bench with backrest
Even if the frame part of the structure is made of metal or stone, it is recommended that the seat and backrest be made of wood. Sitting on a cold surface is not comfortable, and additional casing will not only avoid hypothermia, but also improve the decorative qualities of the product. Dowels are usually used to fix the boards.
Drawing of a garden bench with a back
Several breeds are used as material for the manufacture of backs and seats on wooden benches:
- spruce;
- Pine;
- larch.
Conifers such as spruce and pine are widely used in benches. They are attractive and durable. The recommended sectional size for boards made of these materials is 3.5x6 cm. Larch is good for its resistance to decay. The material is not afraid of precipitation, the negative effects of the scorching sun and low temperatures.
Garden bench can be combined with planters for beautiful flowers
The appearance of the bench with a strict design will organically complement the artificial antiquity. This effect can be achieved using the brushing method. With a metal brush, you need to process the armrests, the center of the back and the upper crossbar. Artificially aged surfaces will look original against the background of smooth, untouched wood.
Wooden bench without a single nail
In addition to the main parts (backrest, seat and supports), the structure contains fasteners and fittings. It is advisable to assemble wooden products without nails. Pins and pins are used as retainers. It is very important that the quality of the material from which the fasteners are made is high. It is these elements that ensure the reliability of the entire structure. Therefore, you should select solid wood species.
Japanese-style bench assembled with dowels and pins
There is another option for assembling without nails. For this, a classic tongue-and-groove connection is used. With the help of a hand mill, protruding elements are formed and a selection of sockets for them is made. After dry assembly and fitting, all parts are sequentially glued together.
A simple bench glued from massive wooden parts
Wooden folding bench
The main advantage of folding furniture is its versatility. Due to the built-in mechanism, it becomes possible to reduce the dimensions of the structure. Thanks to this, the process of storing and transferring the bench from one place to another is greatly facilitated. Particularly compact models fit easily into the trunk of a car.
The folding bench is convenient to store indoors, where the tree will not get wet
Some modifications can be a full-fledged replacement for a whole set of garden furniture. The transforming bench easily turns into a couple of benches with a table top. When folded, the structure does not take up much space, and if necessary, it can become a comfortable dining area.
Pine plank transforming bench
How to extend the life of wooden benches?
Wood reacts sensitively to weather changes, the influence of moisture and ultraviolet radiation. It is advisable to give preference to rocks that do not absorb water well. It is she who provokes decay. Mold, microorganisms and wood-boring beetles can damage the material, causing the bench to lose its attractive appearance and become unusable.
If any of the structural elements began to rot, it is urgent to replace it. Otherwise, the rot will spread and damage the bench.
To prevent premature destruction of the material, you need to use:
- biological protection means;
- oil-based impregnation;
- wax and paint coatings.
Ideally, wood blanks are first treated with an anti-decay agent, and a decorative coating is applied after the structure is assembled.
Fire retardant compounds prevent wood from burning. They are recommended for use if the bench is located near sources of fire, such as a stove or barbecue area. With proper care, a quality bench will last for many years.
Video: Garden bench made of wood by female hands
Photo of wooden benches and benches
