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The Right Fit
Finding the best material for your park furnishings means considering more than just the budget. When it's time to add benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles and other essential site amenities, you need to take a look at the context and be sure what you purchase fits well with what's already there. Take things like the prevailing weather conditions and the probability of vandalism into account.
Here are some of the pros and cons associated with specific materials:
ALUMINUM
PROS: strong; lightweight; affordable
CONS: fewer aesthetic options; can corrode if not coated or anodized; subject to vandalism in some locations as a scrap metal
CONCRETE
PROS: durable; heavy; available in a variety of colors and textures
CONS: can crack; can be difficult to clean unless coated
WOOD
PROS: naturally beautiful; conducts heat well, comfortable; lower cost (softwoods); durability (hardwoods); rust- and stain-resistant
CONS: requires regular painting, staining and/or sealing; can splinter; easily damaged; difficult to clean unless coated
FIBERGLASS
PROS: lightweight and portable; conducts heat well; comfortable; self-cleaning in the elements; durable with lifespan of around 15 years
CONS: may fade without UV protection
RECYCLED PLASTIC
PROS: environmentally friendly; moisture-proof;
does not corrode, rot or rust; does not splinter; virtually
maintenance-free; durable; vandalism-resistant; heavy
CONS: more expensive initially; may fade without UV protection; may sag in high heat without steel reinforcement
RESIN
PROS: lightweight; moveable
CONS: easier to damage than some other materials
PLASTIC-COATED STEEL
PROS: conducts heat well; comfortable; corrosion-resistant; durable; virtually maintenance-free; heavy
CONS: can be scratched; may fade without UV protection
WROUGHT IRON
PROS: durable; beautiful; heavy
CONS: must be treated to prevent rusting
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