Composite-topped garden bench in Rhosllanerchrugog

The job

What we did in Rhosllanerchrugog

This was a long run of fixed bench seating built along the fence line. The frame underneath was sound, but the seat was the part taking all the weather, and a timber seat top is always the first thing to go grey, split and need sanding back every spring.

Rather than replace like for like, the top was capped in grey composite decking board. Composite does not need staining or sealing, it does not splinter, and it holds its colour instead of silvering off after the first winter.

The boards were mitred at the corners and finished with a picture-frame edge, so no cut ends are left showing along the front. The grey was picked to sit with the dark slatted fence behind it rather than fight it.