Bench (furniture)

Classic garden bench

A bench is a piece of furniture, on which several people may sit at the same time. Benches are typically made of wood, but may also be made of metal, stone, or synthetic materials. Many benches have arm and back rests; some have no back rest and can be sat on from either side. In American public areas, benches are often donated by persons or associations, which may then be indicated on it, e.g. by a small plaque. Benches are used both outdoors and indoors.

Stone bench in Parque de Bateria in Torremolinos, Spain

Different types of benches

Artistic bench

Improvised street bench in Naples (Italy), made from wooden pallet.

A park bench in the Drottningholm Palace park

Benches facing each other in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Often benches are simply named for the place they are used, regardless of whether this implies a specific design.

• Park benches are set as seating places within public parks, and vary in the number of people they can seat.
• Garden benches are similar to public park benches, but are longer and offer more sitting places.^[1]
• Picnic tables, or catering buffet tables have long benches as well as a table. These tables may have table legs which are collapsible, in order to expedite transport and storage.
• Scenic benches are situated to provide a comfortable means of enjoying the contemplation of a beautiful landscape, a busy street scene, or perhaps a specific event.
• Perch benches are usually situated in high traffic areas to enable people to take a quick break.
• A storage bench is a combination of sitting space and a storage box, often used for keeping gardening supplies or grill equipment.
• A form is a backless bench that was used for seating in dining rooms, school rooms and law courts.^[2]

Långa Soffan, a 240-foot (73 m) park bench in Oskarshamn, Sweden

Various types of benches are specifically designed for and/or named after specific uses, such as:

• church pews inside places of worship, which are sometimes equipped with an additional kneeling bench.
• a bench seat is a traditional seat installed in automobiles, featuring a continuous pad running the full width of the cabin.
• a punishment bench is used to have a punishee lie (and often be tied) down on for the administration of a corporal punishment, after which it may be specifically named, e.g. caning bench
• a bench (weight training) is used for fitness exercises, such as the bench press which is named after its use of a bench
• a communion bench is not used as a seat
• a piano bench offers usually one person seating and is height adjustable.
• a spanking bench, such as a caning bench, is specifically designed for a spankee to lie upon, possibly strapped down, while submitting to paining of the posterior
• swing seats are independently movable, suspended benches, used for play or as a relaxing porch swing.
• Glider Benches are similar to Swing Seats but are not suspended; instead they have a mechanism under the seating area that allows the bench to rock back and forward^[3]
• a courting bench (or kissing bench, or tête-à-tête): a two-seater with the seats pointing in opposite directions, thus almost facing each other.
• a friendship bench in a school playground is where a child can go when they want someone to talk to.
• the bench in a courtroom, behind which the judge is seated.

Bench materials

Benches come in a variety of different materials, but there are some venue standards that account for use, durability, and maintenance patterns.^[4]

• Aluminum: Aluminum benches are often found in outdoor, sideline settings at recreational venues like sports fields or courts and as a compliment to bleacher systems. The material affords for a lightweight, corrosive-free bench, so it is a portable and economical option for indoor or outdoor settings.
• Concrete: Concrete benches are very heavy and are a more permanent furnishing. They are often installed in facilities that are not expected to change or transition often, if at all, such as military bases, state parks and official buildings. Concrete is very durable, so it is appropriate for any climate. Concrete can be composed of many different materials to afford benches different accents, depending on what it is composed of.
• Fiberglass: Fiberglass is a versatile material so fiberglass benches can come in a variety of designs and finishes or colors. The material is great for indoor or outdoor use because it will not corrode or rust, is very low maintenance, and can be manufactured to compliment any facility. Common places where fiberglass benches are installed include food courts, restaurants, and office buildings.
• Powder-coated steel: Powder coated steel benches are often found lining entryways for different venues, like retail centers, medical facilities and country clubs. While powder-coat is a common finish on many commercial site furnishings, it is often featured on strap metal benches because of its anti-corrosive qualities and ability to strongly bond to heavy duty steel constructions. Powder-coated benches also come in a variety of colors and designs, from classic strap metal benches to extremely intricate designs.
• Recycled plastic: Recycled plastic benches are low maintenance, available in a variety of colors and styles, and are appropriate for any environment, including typically-corrosive salty, ocean side facilities. Recycled plastic components can vary based on the manufacturer, but it is commonplace that a high percentage is post-consumer material and will contribute to LEED certification. For these reasons, they are commonly found at a wide range of venues, including convention centers, office buildings, universities, retail centers, schools and stadiums.
• Thermoplastic: Thermoplastic is an environmentally friendly coating for metal benches. Thermoplastic benches are very commonplace, located in facilities ranging from schools, parks, recreational spaces and office buildings. The material itself is graffiti resistant and easily repairable, as opposed to other metal coatings and, with a thorough coat, will help a metal bench withstand a variety of climates. There are endless color options and six different common pattern styles: expanded metal, perforated metal, strap style, welded wire, diamond pattern and rod style. Expanded metal is often seen in casual park settings, featuring a lattice-like look while strap style can be commonly featured trail side or embellishing a sidewalk.
• Wood: Wood benches are a very high maintenance option because they need to be regularly treated with an insect repellent or coated with polyurethane or similar coating to maximize the life of the material. They are typically found along walking trails and state parks, while high-quality wood products like teak, redwood and mahogany are commonly found in residential furniture lines, resorts and restaurant settings. Other common lumber furnishing materials include oak and southern yellow pine.

Examples of benches

• 

  Stone bench at Livadia Palace, Ukraine

• 

  An open park bench in Tehran

• 

  Benches in Kefalonia, western Greece

• 

  Bench made with a chainsaw-cut tree trunk

• 

  Ancient trunk bench from Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex

• 

  In Suffolk, England

• 

  Bank of the Berlin court porch, 13th century

• 

  Pews or church benches, St Paul's Cathedral, London

• 

  Wooden bench in memory of composer Hans Roelli in skiing area of Arosa, Switzerland

• 

  Light Balls Bench 2012 by Manfred Kielnhofer

• 

  A decorative "rabbit bench" in Peyzazhna alley, Kiev, Ukraine

• 

  Artistic bench design at Kiev Fashion Park

See also

• Bench Around the Lake, an artwork by Jeppe Hein at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
• Furniture
• Seat
• Pew
• Camden bench

References

1. Hazel Evans (2006). Patio garden. Frances Lincoln ltd. ISBN 0-7112-2471-4.
2. "Form". Victoria & Albert Museum. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
3. http://www.gardenfurniturecentre.co.uk/teak-glider-bench.html
4. "Park Benches 101". Retrieved 22 August 2013.