Best Material for Outdoor Park Benches

A park bench is a convenient spot for visitors to rest and enjoy their surroundings. If you are the project manager designing a park or community space, you want the visitors to feel welcome and comfortable sitting on the benches. Finding park benches with a sturdy, rust-free material that will last for many years and still look good is ideal for your community landscaping project.

There are park benches available in many materials. Let’s look at the options and compare the pros and cons of each to determine the best material for outdoor park benches.

Five most common types of park benches

1. Wooden Benches
2. Aluminum Benches
3. Recycled Plastic Benches
4. Metal Benches with Thermoplastic Coating
5. Concrete Benches

Wooden Benches

Benches made of wood are the cheapest option in the group. They give a natural look to match a surrounding with trees and mulch. When you first install a wooden bench, they are beautiful and comfortable for park visitors.

Through time, stain and paint on wood begins to fade and requires upkeep or more frequent replacement to stay in a welcoming condition.

Aluminum Benches

Aluminum is a lightweight metal, making aluminum benches easy to install or move. They cost a little more than wood benches and have a longer life. The biggest issue with aluminum benches is the inevitable oxidation which may cause the finish to wear and chip. Aluminum park benches are not a good choice for areas with harsh weather conditions. Communities with snow, beachside parks, and anywhere there is extreme heat or cold would be best to avoid the aluminum material seating.

Recycled Plastic Benches

Benches made of Recycled Plastic are an eco-friendly, long-lasting, and durable option. They are moderate in price and have many different layout options: backless benches, commercial park benches, benches with arms, memorial benches, and ADA-compliant park benches. The 100% Recycled HDPE plastic benches have a solid color molded throughout with a UV protectant so that the color stays vibrant and won’t get damaged by the sun. HDPE recycled plastic materials are molded into different styles for you to choose from.

Recycled Plastic Bench Styles

• Classic Park Benches
• Traditional Park Benches
• Decorative, Historical Benches
• Contemporary Park Benches
• Faux Wood Style Benches
• Faux Iron Style Benches

The recycled plastic park bench is perfect for maintenance-free community seating. This bench material resists moisture, rot, mold, and insects.

Metal Benches with Thermoplastic Coating

A solution to weathering on metal benches is to apply a thick thermoplastic coating to the metal to protect it from natural elements. These coatings make the metal beaches durable and longer lasting. These metal benches are also lower maintenance and keep color. They are a heavier option and more costly than aluminum benches. The standard waffle-like texture and rigid material are not as comfortable to sit on as the other bench types. They also have a less natural aesthetic and are usually used in park playgrounds to match brightly colored equipment.

Concrete Benches

Concrete benches are highly durable and have a minimalist look. The cement material is customizable in different colors and textures to provide a higher-end look. Concrete seating is not as comfortable as other bench types. There are many styles of concrete benches, and the cost varies depending on how simple or ornate you would like them to be. Concrete benches would match well at parks with fountains or other concrete structures. The biggest drawback to this material is the weight. Concrete is bulky and heavy which is costly to ship. 

Outdoor Park Benches - Comparison Chart

Recycled plastic is the best and most eco-friendly material for outdoor park benches. This durable material is affordable and holds up in any climate. If you are planning a commercial landscaping project that requires outdoor furnishings, Signature Streetscapes is happy to help provide a quote. We offer recycled plastic furnishings including benches, picnic tables, and trash receptacles.