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How much outdoor bench seating is needed?

This is determined by surveying the area, determining how much seating exists, and considering the use of the surrounding areas. The various types of land uses may include shops, offices, residences, parks and other public spaces that are along the street. The types of land usage will determine the potential users in the area who would be likely to sit on the benches. Take note of locations where people currently sit, including ledges or steps. These observations are important in formulating your public seating plan.

Determining Bench Placement and Location

Ideal placement of public seating includes places where people wait for taxis or buses; outside department stores and office building entrances; near food shops; and anywhere that people might need a rest. Bad locations are places where there is little activity, such as: in front of banks that close early, buildings without windows, places that are hidden from view and places that are located far from activity.
Once a decision has been made about the general location, the following guidelines can be used in positioning benches along a street:

Outdoor benches should be placed within view of the action, but out of the way of the flow of pedestrian traffic. They should be set back at least 24 inches from the pedestrian walkway to allow space for people to walk by. However, a bench should not be set back too far, or it is less likely to be used.

Benches should be placed together with other street amenities such as bus shelters, kiosks, newsstands, waste receptacles, telephones, etc. Areas that people regularly frequented are some of the easiest choices for bench placement.

Benches should not face each other directly unless it serves a purpose, like when they are used for games. People tend to feel uncomfortable when they sit face to face with a stranger, and will twist around or sit sideways to avoid eye contact. Occasionally, pairs of benches should be placed at a 90 to 120 degree angle, which is good both for conversations and for sitting alone.

Benches should generally not be lined up in a row because this makes it difficult for a group to have a conversation. However, where there are many passersby, or where there is an outstanding view, benches can be lined up.

Outdoor benches should be located in an area that gives people a choice to sit in the sun or shade, and where there is protection from strong winds. To give yourself the most seating options, you can accompany your permanent seating with movable chairs or lightweight benches.

In areas where disabled people are likely to sit, outdoor benches should be spaced so that wheelchairs can be accommodated on the side, or in front, of the bench. This will allow people in the wheelchairs to talk with people on the bench, without being in the way of passersby. People who use walkers also need space to rest their walker adjacent to the bench while they are seated.

DESIGN

There are two main factors to consider when looking at the design of a park bench: comfort and appearance. Some benches focus on comfort wile others focus on appearance; however, many benches address both aspects of design. Before placing a bench order, it is imperative that all design characteristics are taken into full consideration.

Comfort

Comfort is an important factor in designing a bench. However, the level of comfort a bench needs depends on how it will be used. For example, on a shopping street where people will stop briefly with packages, comfort is not the main goal. However, in a park where people may spend an entire afternoon, comfort is of the utmost importance. Comfort is determined by the person sitting in the bench, so, what is comfortable to one person may not be comfortable to another. It is because of that concern for comfort, though important, must be combined with other considerations. For example: in an area where teenagers like to sit on the backs of the benches, a bench with large slats should be used—even though, for sitting, large slats are less comfortable than smaller ones. The general lesson to be kept in mind is that all factors must be considered together in choosing, or designing, a bench for a particular location.

Appearance

The second factor to consider in bench design is appearance. It is important that a bench fits in with its surroundings. Especially because an outdoor bench, which appears to be an extension of the property it sits on, will help give a proprietary feel to the street. This increases the likelihood that business owners will take care of the bench (and the street) that will, in turn, have a positive effect on safety and security in the area. A bench can be the most comfortable seat in the world; but if it doesn’t look right, not many people will ever sit on it to find out. It is not enough for a bench to simply be comfortable, it must also look comfortable. For example, a smooth, powder-coated finish almost guarantees to attract a great deal of seat traffic. Similarly, a rotting wooden bench, or a rusting metal bench, will deter guests from even coming near them.

BENCH DESIGN GUIDELINES

The following design guidelines can be used in designing or selecting a bench that is suitable for most situations:

The Seat

To be comfortable, there should be a 95-105 degree angle between the seat and the back, and the seat should be between 2 and 10 degrees off of horizontal.
The depth of the seat should be 12 to 18 inches for benches with backs, and 30 inches for backless benches.
Generally, a seat height of 18 inches is the most comfortable.
The front edge of the seat should be curved rather than squared off.
The most comfortable seating surface is wood, which is resilient and does not readily conduct heat or cold.
Small bench slats (2 inches) spaced closely together and following a contoured form are generally more comfortable than larger slats (8 inches). However, in areas where vandalism is a factor a larger size (e.g., 3 inches x 8 inches) should be used
The length of the seat should allow for twenty-four inches per person. However, people will sit closer to each other if there is an armrest separating them.

The Back

Seatbacks that slope back slightly and have a slight curve are typically the most comfortable.
The height of the backrest should be 20 inches to provide support for the back and shoulders.
Benches with no backs allow people to sit on both sides at the same time.

The Legs

The legs should not extend out past the seat; otherwise people may trip on them. If a large, solid leg is used, a kick space (3 inches minimum) under the seat is needed.

Armrests

Armrests are useful to help people to get out of their seat, and to divide a bench so that more people can fit along it. Segmenting the bench into sections through the use of armrests can provide a sense of privacy among groups, as well as encourage people to sit closer together. The edge of the armrest should extend out to the edge of the seat, and it should have a firm, rounded gripping surface.

MATERIALS

Outdoor benches should be constructed of durable materials that are resistant to weather, vandalism, and rust. Benches can be made of concrete, wood, recycled plastic, iron, steel Thermoplastic-Coated, and steel Powder-Coated. Each material has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before a bench order is made.

Concrete

A concrete bench is the perfect mix of rugged comfort and visual appeal. Some are made completely out of concrete and others only have concrete legs or frames. Concrete benches are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors thus making them completely customizable. Also, concrete barrier benches keep foot or vehicle traffic away from certain areas while at the same time providing the comfort and natural water run-off of the standard concrete benches.

Wood

There is an assortment of wooden benches in a variety of wood types, such as: mahogany, oak, redwood, teak and shorea. Some are constructed completely out of wood wile others have aluminum or power-coated steel frames. Typically, the parts that most often require replacing are the slats. Ideally, slats should be stockpiled; or a bench should be selected that has slats that can be reordered quickly. Painting slats and supports requires time and money. Some ways around painting are: using recycled plastic slats; using aluminum for supports; galvanizing steel supports before painting; staining instead of painting slats; and using concrete (such as in concrete standard or wall hung benches) to avoid corrosion or rust. Using slats that are the same size aids in replacement, labor, and costs. Bench seating, for example, can be more economical by using as few as two different slats in one bench. Slat replacement can be made easier. The way it is attached to the bench structure, and tradeoffs, may need to be considered between ease and frequency of replacement. For example, a rod through a contour bench requires more time to be replaced than using bolts directly to the bench structure. However, the rod attachment is stronger, so it doesn’t have to be replaced as often as using bolts.

Recycled Plastic

In recent years, man has become more and more dependant on the Earth’s natural resources—to the point of being hazardous to global well-being. However, a park bench is a clear example of man’s ability to live alongside of nature. Many people sit at park benches to relish in the joys of nature; but a bench made from new materials is using up the resources that the people are trying to enjoy. A bench made from recycled plastic is the answer to this dilemma. A recycled plastic commercial park bench not only eliminates the need for natural resources, but it also redirects plastic waste from ending up in landfills. Recycled benches come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and styles that are sure to fit your needs. Furthermore, these benches are as dependable as they are environmentally sound: recycled plastic does not need to be sealed, painted or stained and it cannot rot. They are graffiti resistant, use stainless steel hardware, and have a life expectancy well beyond wood.

Steel (Thermoplastic-Coated)

The thermoplastic-coated steel benches are as dependable as they are beautiful. Though built to withstand the outdoor elements for many years, these benches bear the comfort and attractiveness of top-quality indoor seating. Additionally, these benches are totally customizable; with 15 different colors to choose from and the option for a custom logo or message to be carved into the bench itself, or to be engraved into a brass plaque. These benches are heavy-duty which makes them ideal for high traffic areas like schools, parks, churches, waiting rooms and outdoor business complexes.

Steel (Powder-Coated)

If you are looking for a bench that requires low maintenance and provides high resiliency, then our power-coated steel benches are right for you. Because of the 18 different colors to choose from, we manually sandblast the heavy-gauge steel to ensure the color of the powder coating will last as long as the rest of the bench does. Available in standard, backless, decorative, evergreen and sunrise models; we are sure to have a powder-coated bench style to fit your taste.
For all bench types, installation should be inexpensive, time efficient, and as durable as possible. Installation plans should allow for experimentation with location and bench arrangement

MAINTENANCE

Because many cities are not adequately staffed for a good bench maintenance program, benches are sometimes left derelict and broken benches are left in disrepair. This problem is magnified when people see the neglected bench, and then make generalizations that influence their perceptions or feelings about the entire downtown. Poorly maintained benches can discourage use and public gathering, negatively affecting merchants, workers, and residents in the neighborhood.

Sometimes benches are vandalized. There is no bench that is 100% vandal resistant. However, being aware of the likelihood of vandalism in particular areas can affect the type of bench selected for that area. Certain types of material resist vandalism better than others. However, the best solution to vandalism lies not in the type of bench used, but in developing an understanding of what types of vandalism occur: at what times, by what types of people, and how to stop them. The key to preventing vandalism in a downtown area is placing benches where adjacent storeowners will assume some responsibility for their use and maintenance.

Adding a stylish park bench to your site will ensure your location is the benchmark for comfort and attractiveness in your town.