What is a bench?

Among furniture designed for seating, there is no more practical option than a bench. Its shape and design allows you to comfortably accommodate one person or the whole company.

What is a bench?

In the traditional sense, a bench or bench is a piece of furniture on which several people can simultaneously sit. The height of the seat is greater than or equal to its depth. The back is optional, but is quite common. The same can be said of the armrests.

Definition of the term

According to D. N. Ushakov, the word "bench" has 2 meanings:

• the same as the bench;
• seat in parliament.

The second meaning implies the use of a plural form: benches. The word is used in other contexts, namely:

• school bench (used when they want to talk about events that took place during their studies);
• dock (to appear on it - to go to court).

Varieties of options available

According to the types of basis, there are:

• steel (often welded, from round or square pipes);
• cast iron;
• concrete;
• plastic;
• made of natural stone (for example, granite);
• aluminum;
• wooden.

Each listed species has its own advantages and disadvantages. So, steel is susceptible to corrosion, but the process can be significantly slowed down using specialized tools and proper care. Significantly in this context - for 10 years or more.

IMPORTANT! The average service life of a steel bench exceeds 15 years.

Cast iron can withstand the influence of the environment, but it weighs a lot (exception: low-quality products with a high content of impurities). Low mobility will not hurt if the bench after the initial installation is not exactly transferred, but for a summer residence it is better to purchase less heavy furniture. For example, aluminum or plastic. The first is also good in a variety of forms, and the second is in low cost.

However, they also have their "cons". Thieves will definitely not disregard a metal garden bench, for the return of which you can earn money. Plastic is little presentable and can withstand only a low load (low - relative to steel, concrete and cast iron products). If you need practical and lightweight furniture, which also looks impressive and is not so expensive, then it is worth taking a closer look at wooden benches. And although such shops do not tolerate rainfall, direct sunlight, a sharp drop in temperature and high humidity, but good impregnation in combination with proper care will reduce the severity of the issue. The product will last for many years.

IMPORTANT! A concrete bench is indispensable in cases where you need a thing "for centuries", but the budget is very limited.

Shops are classified not only by the types of base, the back material also matters. On this basis, the following types are distinguished:

• wooden;
• plastic;
• from sheet steel.

The first option is the most common. Municipal benches for courtyards, parks and other recreation areas, as well as furniture for private estates are produced with wooden backs. The difference between urban and individual property is traced in the cost of wood. Products from expensive varieties are not purchased by government agencies. They prefer to buy benches from cheap but hard-wearing hardwoods.

IMPORTANT! If you are interested in a solid wooden bench, pay attention to the options from larch. It resists environmental influences and looks beautiful.

Wooden, in turn, also have several subspecies. Among them:

• folded from whole logs (sometimes the seat and back are made of 1 log at all, in which the middle is only cut);
• made of beams;
• made from pressed sawdust;
• upholstered with fabric and uninhabited (the first are installed only indoors).

Municipalities are not only interested in expensive wood benches, but also curly sheet steel benches. Among state institutions, only the most primitive form of varieties is in demand, whose unpretentiousness is combined with excellent anti-vandal qualities. An example of such a shop is worth looking in the waiting rooms, at stops and in hospitals. It’s inconvenient to stay on them for a long time, they are tough, but it’s easy for cleaners to clean them, and hooligans and just very active children, even with a great desire, will not be able to cause irreparable harm to the seat or armrest.

It is also necessary to distinguish between hanging, floor mobile and floor stationary options. The first type in design and appearance is similar to a swing. The second is lightweight shops. An example of a bench from the third category is aluminum. A concrete skeleton is often created for them. Due to it, stability is increased and the risks associated with the actions of looters are reduced.