That's an excellent question! We take the quality and durability of our outdoor benches extremely seriously, as they are built to withstand years of use in various environments. Our testing process is multi-layered and rigorous, designed to simulate real-world conditions far beyond normal use. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we ensure every bench meets our high standards.
First, we begin with material integrity checks. Each batch of lumber, metal, or synthetic material is tested for strength, moisture content, and resistance to corrosion or UV degradation before production even starts.
The core of our testing involves mechanical stress simulations. Our benches undergo cyclic load testing, where weights far exceeding the rated capacity are repeatedly applied and removed for thousands of cycles. This mimics years of people sitting, leaning, and shifting weight. We specifically test joints, welds, and fasteners—the most common failure points—to ensure they remain secure.
Weather resistance is paramount. Benches spend weeks in our environmental chambers, enduring accelerated cycles of intense UV radiation (to simulate sun fading), torrential rain sprays, freezing temperatures, and high humidity. This process compresses years of weather exposure into a short timeframe, revealing any potential weaknesses in finishes, sealants, or materials.
For wooden benches, we conduct additional tests for rot resistance and stability. For metal frames, we perform salt spray tests to guarantee the powder coating or finish protects against rust. All fabrics and cushions are tested for colorfastness and water repellency.
Finally, every finished bench sample undergoes a final safety and stability inspection. We check for any sharp edges, structural wobble, and overall finish quality. Only after passing all these stringent protocols does a bench design earn our seal of approval for production. Our goal isn't just to meet standards, but to create outdoor benches that become a lasting part of your landscape.