Materials used for your memorial bench
Some manufacturers use cheaper woods like iroko, oak, pine, eucalyptus and mahogany to try and cut costs. All our Benches are constructed from solid Teak, accepted in the industry as the most durable wood for outdoor use. The plantation Teak wood that we source has been dried and manufactured to our high exacting standards. As we source high quality teak rich in silica and rubber, we do not need to apply any type of finish to our Benches.
Be aware of buying flat packed Garden Benches or those made with cheap glues as wood naturally expands and contracts when left outside so if they are not joined securely they will, after a few seasons, wobble and fail.
To achieve 25 years + of use, all Garden Benches should be Polyurethane (expanding foam) glued, Teak dowelled then clamped for 24hrs to ensure that there is no movement in the construction. Although this is an expensive and time consuming process, it is what we do with everyone of our Benches before we deliver.
So the question is are you going to pay for quality high grade teak wood made to last or cheaper alternatives which won't last?
Location of the Memorial Bench
Obviously to place a memorial bench in your own home or garden is cheaper
than to place a memorial bench in a public place as there’s no permission that
needs to be sought. To place a memorial bench in a public place permission will
need to be sought from the relevant authority. Different councils authorities
will have schemes in place and all will charge various fees. Therefore there is
no set price to this but according to where you are in the country and where
specifically you want to place the bench will depend on the fee involved.
To engrave or not to engrave
There are many different options for personalising your memorial bench with wood engraving or plaque inscription. Depending on what you choose the cost will vary. A simple stainless steel or brass plaque inscribed won't cost much but wood engraving and carving images into the wood will cost more. Also bear in mind that the bench you pick will then determine what engraving space is available. At Memorial Benches we offer a Free 5" x 2" Brass Plaque with every bench ordered.
Accessories
If it's a memorial garden bench then you might want to add bench cushions and a protective bench cover to protect it. If it's in a public place then security fixings are recommended to ensure it stays exactly where it should be.