THREE WEATHERED BENCHES
We pulled 3 benches from various environments.
- One bench was out for 10-years in an open yard with direct sunlight and weather. This was a b-grade bench.
- One bench was under heavy trees for 5 years with limited sun. This was a b-grade bench.
- One bench was under moderate to heavy trees for 3 years with limited sun. This was a c-grade bench.
All benches were new when placed outside. You can find the benches on our website with these links.
Maluku 120cm/48" Teak Bench
Roberto 150cm/60" Teak Bench
In each case, the benches differ in their weathering due to the varying conditions of sunlight, moisture, and trees. The benches under the trees are darker due to greater moisture and acid from the leaves. The benches were located in Lexington, Kentucky - with 4 seasons and generally mild winters of snow.
The bench below is the 150cm/60" Roberto c-grade bench. It has a darker patina and was located under 80-year old walnut trees with sporadic sunlight. It was located in the heart of downtown Lexington and shows no signs of lichens. We discuss lichens further down.
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the bench shows signs of limbs and branches
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The next two benches below are the Maluku 48" teak bench. Ironically, the lighter colored bench in front is the 10-year old bench. It is covered in lichens and shows more erosion and pits in the teak. It was in an open yard in an upscale neighborhood with cleaner air - thus the abundance of lichens. It received a greater degree of direct sunlight with an open yard and a fair amount of wind.
The darker bench behind it was under heavy oak and walnut trees and also located in downtown Lexington. As you scroll the pictures, the left side will be the darker 5-year bench and the right side will be the 10-year bench. Honestly, we don't know what the white is on the 5-year old bench. It is smooth to the touch and doesn't seem to be anything?
In all three cases, the benches were never cleaned and rarely used. They sat as occasional benches at each home. There is no reason the 10-year old bench doesn't have another 10-years. It is stable, well-constructed, and a fair 3.5 star type of bench.
Also, the teak legs were in the earth. Most benches have adjustable feet, but in the case of the Roberto bench and the 10-year old Maluku, they were buried in the moisture rich and wet dirt. We will update the foot photos.
ROBERTO 150cm/60" TEAK BENCH
We continue to stress that well constructed c-grade teak that is properly dried will serve 10-20 years in the elements without problems. We aren't arguing the fact that higher grades of teak aren't better, but we'd rather have a well-constructed c-grade teak item than a poorly constructed a-grade teak item. And every item that hits our site has been approved to be good construction.
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