URBAN BENCHES

Great question—and I completely understand the worry. Splinters are the last thing you want when you're sitting outdoors in shorts or when kids are climbing around. Our outdoor benches are not rough. We use kiln-dried hardwood, then run every board through a multi-stage sanding process. That starts with a heavier grit to remove saw marks, then moves to finer grits until the surface feels smooth to the touch. After sanding, we ease the edges and round the corners by hand so there are no sharp angles or raised grain that could catch skin. Before finishing, each bench is inspected by hand. If a board has any rough patch, a crack, or a raised knot, it gets re-sanded or replaced. Then we apply a weather-resistant sealant. That does two things: it locks down the wood fibers and adds a layer of protection, so the surface stays smoother longer and is less likely to splinter even after sun, rain, and temperature changes. That said, wood is a natural material. Over years of heavy exposure, a small area can become dry or slightly raised if the finish wears down. The good news is it's easy to keep it smooth. A quick once-over with fine-grit sandpaper and a fresh coat of sealer once a year or as needed will keep it feeling safe and comfortable for bare legs, hands, and feet. So if you're worried about splinters, you can think of our benches like well-finished indoor furniture that’s built to live outside. Smooth, sanded, rounded, and sealed—that's the standard.