Yes, absolutely. If you live in a place where the summer sun feels like a furnace, you have probably sat on a metal or dark plastic bench that burned your legs within seconds. The good news is that there are outdoor benches specifically designed to stay cool in hot climates, using materials and designs that reflect heat or allow airflow.
The first thing to look for is the material. Aluminum is one of the best choices for hot climates. It is lightweight, does not rust, and conducts heat much less effectively than steel. When coated with a light-colored powder finish, an aluminum bench can remain comfortable to sit on even after hours in direct sunlight. For example, many public parks in Arizona and Southern California use white or beige aluminum benches.
Perforated or slatted metal is another smart design. Instead of a solid metal seat, a bench with tiny holes or gaps allows hot air to escape and reduces the contact area between the bench and your skin. This means less heat transfers to your body. Look for benches made from "expanded metal" or "mesh" as they breathe well.
Wood benches can be a good option, but you have to be careful. While hardwood like teak or eucalyptus is naturally resistant to heat buildup, dark-stained wood can still absorb heat. A natural, unpainted wood finish in a light color is best. Similarly, HDPE (high-density polyethylene) lumber that looks like wood but is actually recycled plastic can stay cooler than standard plastic when it is white or grey.
Concrete or stone might seem cool to the touch at night, but they will turn into heat sinks in the midday sun. I would not recommend those unless they are placed under shade.
Speaking of shade, many manufacturers now design benches with built-in canopies or integrated shade panels. These are fantastic for places like playgrounds, resorts, or bus stops where there is no natural tree cover. The shade itself reduces the surface temperature of the seat by 20–30°F.
For your own backyard, consider a bench made of "cool roof" coated materials – the same white reflective paint used on rooftops. Some companies also produce benches with double-wall design, where an air pocket between the upper and lower layers acts as insulation, stopping heat from reaching you.
A few brands to look up include: Sutherland Furniture (their aluminum lines are superb), Polywood (HDPE options in light colors), and Keter (resin wicker benches that breathe). If you need a heavy-duty public bench, Forms+Surfaces makes perforated metal benches designed for urban heat islands.
Pro tip: If you already have a metal bench that gets too hot, try retrofitting it with a reflective seat cushion or even a light-colored marine vinyl cover. And if you can, place any bench under a tree or a sunshade sail. The combination of the right material and strategic placement makes all the difference in hot climates.