hmmm.... which would you choose..?

[NikNak]

Ok..... so me and the missus have decided to buy a new seat for the patio, probably 3 seater but possibly a 2 seater.


We have one at the mo that starting to show its age.... splits, shakes, lichen, welllll weathered etc.

This one is made from Iroko (from memory), bought from a local garden center when it was on offer, £99 comes to mind about 12 years ago, and has done us fine.

But.... which wood would you choose..? and dare i even ask what 'style' as well..?

I'm kinda taken by the banana style benches, sort of curved.... but they have dead upright backs to them, so probably not that comfy...

I'm also thinking that maybe oak would be best as its naturally water resistant(?)

We popped into a local garden center this afternoon just to have a looksie.... and saw one which took my fancy. Says it was made from Roble (pronounced Ro-blay.... yeah whatever :lol: ) apparently its a Bolivian timber similar to teak.

Anyway.... your thoughts or recommendations please....



Nick

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Roble (e acute) Patagonian oak, usually found in USA.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Iroko is often called "poor mans teak" because like its Daddy, it's an oily wood hence why your original piece was made from it. (ie it survives well outdoors) I have a table and 8 chairs made from Iroko and I'm not that keen on it myself. I sanded it back from the silver oxidised layer this year and teak oiled it. It's blotchy and rather incipid to my taste. So next time I'm in the market I'll go for oak. I would take real Teak in a heartbeat but fear I would need to extend my mortgage! Style wise, I guess that's down to your tase. Sit on a few in the garden centre to see what feels right. Isure as heck don't like the modern trend in outdoor rattan. What a con that is. 3 years and I bet it'll all be coming loose!

 

[Woodchips2]

Hi Nick
I've sat on many at various garden centres whilst my wife browses around the plants and you need to sit on them for a reasonable length of time because it's surprising how quickly they become uncomfortable I find the most comfortable have a curved seat and a curved back. When you find a design you like try sitting on it for ten or fifteen minutes (take a book and a flask of coffee :lol: ).

I would have thought you'd get a better finish with Ash than Oak but guess both would benefit from yearly maintenance or covering in the winter.

Regards Keith

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Personally I'd go for cast concrete or cast iron ends, and just accept the fact that the woodwork would be replaced every few years.

 

[AndyT]

Make a pair of Adirondack chairs. I bought one in cedar, which is still in good nick approx 15 years later. I also made a copy of it in oak.

Very comfortable and very easy to make.

 

[RogerP]

A friend has an English oak bench in the garden that's been there since I made it many years ago.
It gets no maintenance and is now grey and weathered but still perfectly okay.

 

[Harbo]

I made these a few years ago from English Oak - still going strong and very comfy:

Rod

 

[stevebuk]

as i work in a garden centre i see lots of furniture, what springs to mind straight away is the Acacia sets, combination of light and dark as well as great grain pattern makes for a lovely looking piece..