Oak trees have long been revered and admired for their long lasting qualities and beautiful finish and grain. There are over 300 different varieties of oak trees including the rare Cork Oak which as its name suggests is used to make corks for high class wine bottles.
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For centuries and as far back as the Middle Ages Oak has been used for furnishing and even panelling interior walls of buildings. It is also the wood of choice for those who make the finest furniture not only because of its beauty but also because its high density gives it strength and toughness – if you have ever tried to bang a nail into a piece of wood then you will know exactly what we mean.
As oak is a ‘hardwood’ it is ideal for making both small and large pieces of furniture due to its strength and is used for a variety of jobs around the house from floor boarding to beds and can be used both indoor and outdoor as long as it is looked after properly so an oak bench in your garden will last a very long time.
One of the reasons why Oak stands up so well to being outside in the elements is due to the fact that the wood itself contains tannin which puts insects and fungus off attacking it which in turn means the Oak can last for decades, even outlasting us.
Things to consider when buying an Oak Bench
- Size: You will want your bench to fit nicely into your garden or house and not be the only thing you see. Choose carefully, measure your available space and don’t forget that furniture always looks smaller in the shop than when you get it home.
- If your oak bench is to go outside you must make sure that you are buying a quality product. Make sure that it is solid oak and not veneered because if it is veneered it will not even last a night in a downpour before it starts to peel away.
- Ask if it has been treated at all. Some oak benches may have been oiled with Danish Oil or something similar and if your wood is untreated you will need to use some sort of product to help avoid stains and also cracking as the bench dries out.
- How you are going to get your bench home. Make sure you buy it from somewhere that will deliver it for you whether online or in a store as oak furniture is very heavy indeed!
Oak benches with storage are available and they were very popular in Victorian times and well as today. Practical and good looking these benches will add character and personality to your home and are available with coat hooks too for added functionality. They often come with 1 – 3 drawers underneath into which you can put all the things that would otherwise be cluttering up the place.
Looking after your oak bench
If your oak bench is to be used outside then try to remember to cover it with a tarpaulin or rain cover when you are not using it. If it not too heavy or cumbersome to lift then also store it inside during Winter. If it exposed to long periods of rain it can warp and twist as it dries. Extremes of heat and cold will also have the same effect upon your oak bench. Exposure to wind will dry the wood out extremely quickly and strip it of its natural oils and colour. When you have paid a lot of money for a beautiful piece of furniture you certainly do not want this to happen.
Your oak bench will need some care throughout the year and it is a very good idea to give it a wash to remove dirt and engrained moss which could encourage and speed up the rotting process. A hosepipe is sufficient with a brush to scrub the surfaces. You can buy cleaning fluids that are made for washing wood and it may be a good idea to use one of these as they often contain products to ‘feed’ the wood. If your bench is outside and you live near the sea or it is situated by a swimming pool then it will need to be cleaned more often as obviously it can be affected by salt and chlorine in the air.
After you have cleaned your bench it is a good idea to treat it with some oil or other product. If you have a look online you can find many solutions for treating wooden furniture both indoor and outdoor.
Check your oak bench over regularly, tightening and screws or bolts that may have come slightly undone. Wood does move and dry out as it ‘seasons’ so this is quite common and nothing to worry about – it isn’t going to collapse the moment you sit on it.
The Last Word
There’s no doubt that wooden and in particular oak furniture is beautiful to have in your house or garden but like any other natural material wood does need a fair amount of care. And you have to be prepared to give it that care.
When you are searching for your new oak bench, particularly if you are searching online, do beware of cheap imitations – just because it says it is oak doesn’t mean it is. You need to look for the phrase ‘solid oak’. Only then can you be sure it is the real deal. To buy what you thought was solid wood and turned out to be veneered would be a very disappointing not to mention expensive purchase indeed.
Shop around and try to see your new oak bench before you buy if at all possible to ensure that it is the one that you want. It will be worth it when your new piece of furniture is standing in pride of place in its new home.
