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  1. What is FSC?
  2. Which wood is right for me?
  3. How do I look after my bench?
  4. What can I do if my bench has already got black spots?
  5. What size bench do I need?
  6. My bench has cracks on it/or is cracking. What do I do?
  7. Can I leave my bench cushions out all night? Are they waterproof?
  8. Has my bench been treated before it gets to me, should I treat it?

What is FSC?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international network to promote responsible management of the world's forests. FSC brings people together to find solutions to the problems created by bad forestry practices and to reward good forest management. Environmentally appropriate forest management ensures that the harvest of timber retains the forest's biodiversity and ecology.

Socially beneficial forest management helps both local people and society at large to enjoy long term benefits and also provides strong incentives to local people to sustain the forest resource. Economically viable forest management means that forest operations are structured and managed so as to be sufficiently profitable, without generating financial profit at the expense of the forest resources, the ecosystem or affected communities

Which wood is right for me?

Iroko: This is a very popular wood for use in the garden, it shares many of the characteristics of teak, including strength, 20 years durability and the ability to create a wonderful finish. Iroko has a slightly yellow appearance. This will turn to a distinctive silver grey colour if left untreated.

The beauty of Iroko can be enhanced and turned to a golden brown colour by using our range of treatment products. A regular clean will enhance the natural beauty of the timber.

Mahogany:

This is a good quality hardwood that has all the natural attributes to create highly attractive and durable garden furniture. Mahogany can be left completely untreated so that the wood mellows to a silver grey colour.

Teak:

This is a golden brown timber with good grains and texture.

Teak is easily worked and has natural oils that make it suitable for use in exposed locations. Traditionally teak has been used to manufacture garden furniture in the UK. Teak is known as a robust wood which will last for many years.

Karri:

Karri wood is a beautiful mahogany color. The uninterrupted knot-free nature of the trunk means you got stunning finishes on all Karri wood products.

Pine:

Pine is the ideal softwood for creating garden furniture that is both very strong and practical. All our pine timbers are treated with Tanalise.

The natural colour of pine is very light. This can either be left completely untreated; in which case it will turn to silver grey, or you can help retain its natural beauty by using our range of specialist treatment products.

How do I look after my bench?

We recommend you clean your bench regularly to stop dirt and grit accumulating in the wood grain. We also suggest you use a protecting agent twice a year. The worst affected areas of the bench are usually top of the seats and arms, in some cases black spots appear. This is caused by over oiling the bench which promotes fungal growth beneath the surface. Please see our Golden Care range for this treatment solution.

Once the bench has been cleaned and protected we recommend you use a storage cover, this should be used throughout the winter and during frosty conditions.

What can I do if my bench has already got black spots?

In the first instance apply our Golden Care Teak/Hardwood cleaner, and scrub with a non-metallic scourer. If the black does not come off, use medium grey sandpaper. After trying both of these options leave for 48 hours and re-apply the Golden Care Teak/Hardwood cleaner.

What size bench do I need?

Below we have put together a table to show you how wide you will need a bench, for differing numbers of people.

Number of People

Length

2

4ft

3

5ft

4

6ft

5+

7ft+









My bench has cracks on it/or is cracking. What do I do?

All hardwoods loose their minerals/salts as they evaporate cracks will appear in the grain (tops of seats and arms). This is normal, do not worry sometimes the crack will open quite wide especially in hot weather. However they will close again when it rains, or becomes cooler. This cracking will not affect the stability of the furniture. And in most cases occurs within the first few months. Once these cracks have appeared they do not get worse. Treatment can help reduce cracking, please see our Golden Care range.

Can I leave my bench cushions out all night? Are they waterproof?

All bench cushions should be taken in at night and during the winter months. Different fabrics will have different properties, if you purchase polyester or acrylic cushions they will be water resistant - but not waterproof. If you have purchased a cotton cushion it will be neither.

Has my bench been treated before it gets to me, should I treat it?

Iroko: As this is a natural wood it is not necessary to treat the Iroko wood, during production. We recommend you treat this wood within 4-6 weeks of use. If you decide not to treat Iroko wood it will eventually mellow to a silver grey then dark grey.

Mahogany:

As this is also a natural wood it is not necessary to treat the Mahogany wood, during production. We recommend that you treat this wood within 4-6 weeks of use as well. If you decide not to treat Mahogany wood it will eventually mellow to a silver grey then dark grey.

Teak:

As this is a natural wood it is not necessary to treat the teak wood, during production. We recommend you treat this wood within 4-6 weeks of use. If you decide not to treat teak wood it will eventually mellow to a silver grey.

Karri:

The Karri wood has already been treated during manufacturing process. However, we recommend you treat all Karri wood products before use - as a precaution. . If you decide not to treat teak wood it will eventually turn a light brown.

Pine:

The Pine wood has already been Tanalised (impregnated under pressure with substances, to protect it against rot) We strongly recommend you treat your pine products twice a year, with a good quality softwood timber preserve. This is extremely important, as pine will rot if not treated.