It's a great question, and one we take seriously. Our benches are engineered to handle the realities of public spaces, including contact with snow plows and ice scrapers. The key is in the materials and construction. We use heavy-duty, powder-coated steel or marine-grade aluminum for the frames. This coating isn't just for looks; it creates a incredibly hard, bonded finish that resists scratches, chips, and corrosion from salt and abrasion. For the slats, we select dense hardwoods like Ipe or thermally-modified ash, or alternatively, ultra-durable recycled plastic lumber. These materials have a high impact resistance, meaning a glancing scrape from a plow blade won't splinter or gouge them deeply like softer woods might.
We also design with clearance and simplicity in mind. Benches often have a clean profile without fragile protruding details that could catch on equipment. For areas with intense mechanical snow removal, we recommend our models with a fully welded, monolithic frame that leaves no gaps for blades to snag. Regular seasonal maintenance is your best ally. A quick inspection after winter, washing off salt and debris, and a touch-up with matching paint on any significant scuff will keep your bench looking and performing well for decades. While we don't recommend direct, forceful impacts, our benches are built to endure the incidental contact that comes with keeping public areas safe and clear in winter.