Great question — and one we’re happy to answer directly. The screws on our outdoor bench are recessed, not exposed. Each fastener is set into a countersunk hole so the head sits just below the surrounding wood surface. You won’t feel a raised metal edge when you run your hand along the seat or backrest.
We made that choice for safety first. Exposed screw heads can catch clothing, scratch skin, or become painfully hot in direct sun. Recessing them removes those sharp contact points, which matters a lot on a bench used by kids, bare legs, and anyone sitting down without thinking twice.
It also helps the bench last longer outdoors. When a screw head stands proud of the wood, water can sit around it and work its way into the fastener hole. Recessed screws allow water to shed more cleanly, and we use stainless steel or coated hardware to resist rust. The result is a smoother surface that ages better through rain, humidity, and temperature swings.
From a visual standpoint, a flush or slightly below-flush screw line simply looks cleaner. The hardware doesn’t interrupt the grain or draw attention away from the wood. If you look closely at the joints, you’ll see small, neat fastener points rather than protruding metal dots.
One practical note: wood can expand and contract outdoors. In rare cases, a recessed screw may feel very slightly raised if the surrounding wood shrinks. That’s normal and easy to fix by tightening the screw or lightly sanding the area. The design still keeps the fastener head below the contact surface in normal conditions.
So for safety, comfort, and durability, the answer is clear: the screws are recessed, not exposed. If you need more detail about the hardware or finish, just ask.