Terms and conditions
Terms & Conditions
By placing a deposit on our furniture, you agree to the terms and conditions set out below.
Us – refers to Magnus Furniture Ltd
You/Your – refers to the customer placing the order with Magnus Furniture Ltd
Garden Furniture – includes memorial benches, garden benches, tables and bespoke garden furniture.
Courier – Our dedicated delivery firm instructed by Magnus Furniture Ltd
Orders, payments & delivery
All furniture orders must be accompanied by a deposit which secures your order for a delivery date in the month advised by us.
The outstanding balance on your bench must be paid prior to delivery and final balance invoices are issued on the date your bench is made which you will be advised of at the point of deposit payment or once we have organised our delivery routes. The final balance payment is due on this date, a delay in payment from you without prior discussion with Magnus Furniture may result in your delivery being delayed.
Deposits can be paid using cash, PayPal, digital invoice, or bank transfer.
Please ensure you read our FAQ page prior to your delivery to ensure you are happy with the maintenance and considerations of your furniture.
Please ensure you read our FAQ using the link provided at the point of deposit payment to ensure you are completely happy with the process and maintenance of your bench going forward. If you decide after reading the FAQ’s you do not want to proceed with your order, you are entitled to a deposit refund as long as they meet with our conditions (please see refund section).
Final balance invoices can be paid for via bank transfer, PayPal, credit or debit card and cash (cash only accepted for deliveries that are not sent via our courier service). An invoice and receipt will be provided via email for any payments. Any final balance invoices paid using any other method than the ones above may result in the monies being refunded to you and your delivery delayed.
A photograph of your finished bench will be provided before final balance payment is required.
Usually, your furniture is made the week before delivery to allow the customer to make any changes, there may be occasions where it is made beforehand.
A delivery cost to deliver your furniture to your nominated address will be quoted at the time of ordering, the cost will depend on distance from our workshop in Lincolnshire. Changes of delivery address after the initial quote may incur additional charges.
Specific date(s) or day(s) for delivery may be accommodated for an additional charge, this may require a dedicated delivery to you. Please ask us about this at least 2 weeks prior to your courier collecting your bench from us.
Engraved wording must be sent in writing. Please ensure you double check your engraving wording as mistakes made by the customer after the engraving has been completed may be chargeable or non refundable.
Plaques, ceramic photos and 3D carved images are made by a third party, these cannot be changed once made. Please ensure you send across the final photo or wording to be used on the final design the week prior to delivery. Changes after the time of making may be chargeable.
Type and size of plaques may change depending on availability, you will be advised of this to change.
We reserve the right to refuse the sale of our goods to any person which is not considered discriminatory.
Deliveries via Courier
Our dedicated courier service will aim to deliver your bench up to 14 working days from the day of collection from our workshop, you will be advised of when your bench will be made at the point of the deposit payment and the date our courier will collect it within a short timeframe after the final balance invoice is paid. Our courier may deliver the day after collection, if so, they will contact you to make sure this is convenient for you.
Within the 14 days period our courier will send you a text message to advise of a delivery date several days in advance, you will be able to contact them directly to advise of any special delivery instructions or a safe location for your bench to be left if you are not going to be home for the delivery.
Delivery/collection dates may need to be changed due to unforeseen circumstances and where possible at least a week’s notice of a delivery date change will be provided.
Please provide us with the full delivery address including postcode and a contact telephone number at the time of ordering.
If you, or a nominated person are not home for the delivery or have not left instructions for our courier where to leave your furniture safe may result in your order being returned to us, a refund on delivery will not be offered in these circumstances. Our courier will make every effort to contact you to organise the best way for your items to be delivered.
Incorrect information provided to us, or our courier may result in a failed delivery, any costs incurred due to a failed delivery caused by mistakes in addresses or telephone numbers by the customer are non-refundable.
Please advise our courier if you have any special delivery information, examples include but are not limited to, flights of stairs, very unlevel ground or through a house. Our courier may refuse to move your furniture to its desired location if they deem the area of delivery unsafe, in these circumstances they will leave your furniture outside your property.
Please check your furniture once it arrives to ensure you are happy with it, issues highlighted one our courier leaves may result in a collection charge to return your item to us.
If you are unhappy with the delivery service provided, or are concerned your furniture has been damaged in transit please advise the courier and Magnus Furniture by contacting us using email info@magnusfurniture.co.uk
Table sets, and on some occasions garden benches may need to be assembled onsite. This will be completed by the Magnus Furniture team if required at no additional cost.
Access to your garden will be required, please inform us in advance of your delivery date of any access difficulties/restrictions or stairs which may affect our delivery.
Refunds
All personalised garden furniture is considered bespoke and personalised to your requirements as it may include personalised engraved names, dates, and quotes.
Benches or garden furniture ordered online via email or social media that do not include personalisation such as engravings or carvings of any sort are subject to the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2014 and therefore if you choose to return your items you have 14 days of which to do so after your furniture is delivered to you.
You are responsible for returning the goods to us at our workshop in Lincolnshire, you will also be responsible for any costs of returning goods which are not considered faulty.
You are responsible to ensure the goods are returned to us the condition they were delivered to you.
The cost of delivery will not be refunded on goods which are not considered faulty.
Refunds do not apply to personalised photo ceramic plaques or brass plaques with personalised wording .
Faulty furniture will be refunded, faulty furniture is considered one which collapses under normal weight bearing loads and causes injury or has the potential to cause injury. You must notify us in writing of faulty furniture within 3 days of delivery.
We reserve the right to attempt to correct any mistakes or faults prior to refund.
A full refund of your deposit will be made if you cancel your order prior to the week your furniture is due to be made, we will advise you of this when you order.
If you cancel the week your furniture is being made, your deposit will not be refunded.
Any refunds will be paid in the same way in which they were paid to Magnus Furniture.
Use of Furniture & Aftercare
Our furniture is considered rustic and is finished by hand designed to be used in an outdoor area for seating and dining purposes.
Unless otherwise described in your order your furniture will be made from fresh sawn pine landscaping sleepers and pine boards.
Wood is a natural product, and its appearance may differ and may change over time.
Due the variety of screen devices, colours and appearance of our furniture may differ from the actual product, and we cannot guarantee any specific shade or colour.
Our furniture is not designed to be used solely by children and is not a toy, if children do use our furniture they must always be supervised.
All our furniture is made from garden grade timber and will not have a completely blemish free finish. Our timber is green timber and is not kiln dried, therefore there may be some moisture in your furniture on delivery. We recommend it is left outside to dry and not stored inside.
All furniture is finished to a high standard and not delivered rough sawn. We take every bit of care to ensure all our furniture is fully sanded but slight splintering may appear in some areas.
As your furniture dries, cosmetic cracks may appear in the wood, cracks may appear across the full length of your furniture, though this should not cause any structural concerns as very rarely are the cracks one complete crack through the wood. Once your furniture is completely dry it should no longer crack.
Direct sunlight for long period of time can impact how dramatically your bench will crack, keeping it in a slightly shaded spot during the height of summer may limit the cracking.
If you have any structural concerns, please send us a message with a photo and we will advise further. Any structural failures determined to be caused by cracks will be repaired as soon as possible.
A structural failure is considered furniture which collapses under normal pressure from general use, any cracks across structure of the furniture must show an obvious movement of the main parts of the furniture or show an obvious gap of 1cm or larger which was not in place when the furniture was delivered.
The cracks may become more apparent and may even be auidible in warm, sunny weather.
We cannot determine where these cracks will appear as the drying is a natural process.
Your furniture is guaranteed against structural failure for 1 year from the date of delivery.
Structural issues deemed to be caused by external damage, excessive use or for purposes of which is it not designed will not be covered under our guarantee.
Over time the timber we use may change depending on availability.
All timber may show some natural features such as knots and dark marks. This is how the timber arrives with us before finishing. Our sanding and oiling process may not completely remove these features or discolouration. We recommend you choose the cedar/oak or oak colour on your bench if you would like to minimise the look of any such features.
Wherever possible we will use the timber in a manner which limits unsightly natural features being seen but this cannot be guaranteed.
Grain patterns may show up more in wet conditions if the timber is wet, damp or if a light oil colour or clear oil is used.
All our furniture is fully sanded to prevent splintering, it will be treated with a decking oil prior to delivery. We recommend your bench sits for a few days before use to ensure all oil is dry.
Our treatment process treats the wood with a protection against water, we recommend your furniture is treated every spring and autumn.
Where possible keep your furniture dry and away from any damp conditions, due to the British weather being as it is you can keep your bench outside uncovered to allow it to breath. Keeping it undercover outside or with a cover on may create mould growth if the wood is not completely dry before covering. A sunny spot is the best place to keep your bench throughout the year.
Please follow the aftercare information provided on the website or on your aftercare leaflet.
Complaints
Complaints must be made in writing and emailed to info@magnusfurniture.co.uk, you will receive a reply no later than 7 days after your email has been received.
Is your furniture all handmade?
Yes, every piece of furniture is handmade from scratch by us. We use pine and oak sleepers and cut, join, engrave, and finish every table and bench by hand. All our furniture is our own original design and has stood the test of time. Our first bench is still standing in Lincoln over 10 years later.
How long does your furniture take to make?
We can have a waiting list during busier months, our lead time is approximately 4 to 8 weeks at various times of the year. When you order we will advise the week furniture will be made and ready to deliver.
Is engraving included?
Yes, engraved wording on all benches is included in the price you see on our price list. Images start from £15 and painted wording and images start from £10.
Table sets include a small amount of engraving, please contact us to double check if we can include your engraving in your table set price.
All bench backs and table edges can be engraved.
We are able to paint in an image outline to make it more pronounced on your bench, or fully paint it in colour.
Please check out our memorial and celebration bench page to find out more.
How many engraved words can I fit on my bench?
We can fit approx. 20-25 characters per line on a 4ft bench and approx. 30-35 on a 5ft bench. We can fit up to 5 lines across the bench (3 lines on the top piece, 1 line on the middle piece and 1 line across the front of the seat). The best thing to do is message us with what you would like and we can assess to see if it will fit.
How do I order/pay for my order?
Pop us a message or email and we will take your order and confirm your quote including any delivery price. We require a £50 deposit for memorial and garden benches and £200 deposit for table sets, this can be paid via PayPal or bank transfer. We can also email you across a digital invoice where you can use a debit or credit card for payment.
Once you have placed a deposit you will be given a date for your bench to be made and your furniture will generally be delivered the following week. A delivery date will be confirmed at least a week before delivery.
Full payment via bank transfer or cash on delivery is needed prior to your bench being collected by our courier. We will send across a photo of your bench before payment on request.
What wood is it made from and how long will it last?
Our most popular furniture is made from Nordic pine landscaping sleepers which are 8 inches wide by 4 inches high. The timber we use is thick, solid and heavy. Its pressure treated at the timber yard before arriving with us and we also treat it prior to delivering to you.
We do also offer a hardwood oak version of our benches and picnic tables, the thickness of the wood on these is slightly thinner at 2 inches thick, instead of 4. Due to the weight of 4 inch thick oak sleepers we have opted for these so we can move them easily.
With a regular twice a year oil treatment our pine benches will last approximately 10 to 15 years, our oak version much longer.
We use green timber on our furniture, mainly pine landscaping sleepers but we do also use oak if requested. Green timber means the timber is not kiln dried and suitable for garden use, the timber may still hold some moisture on delivery. We recommend keeping your furniture in a sunny spot, uncovered to allow it to fully dry. A regular treatment of oil once dry will help keep any future moisture out.
The timber we use is not completely blemish free, it will show some marks and knots in the wood. We do sand the wood back to leave a smooth finish but it is not possible to completely remove every blemish. Our furniture is considered rustic and the various marks and blemishes adds to the character.
Do you deliver your furniture nationwide?
We do yes, our benches are delivered all over mainland UK via our dedicated courier service and our table sets are delivered by ourselves.
The delivery timeframe is usually 7 to 14 days from the day your bench is collected by our courier, your table set is usually delivered the week it is made by us.
The delivery cost varies from between £60 to £80 depending on item(s) ordered and location in the country.
Currently we do not deliver to Northern Ireland.
Do I need to assemble my bench or table set?
No, all our benches and table sets are delivered assembled and ready to use. Table sets may need to be assembled on site, but we will do this free of charge.
Will I need to be home for the delivery?
No, our courier can leave your furniture in your chosen safe location, you are able to arrange this with them directly when they advise you of a delivery date.
Do I have to maintain my furniture?
Our benches require a small amount of maintenance during its lifetime. As your bench settles in, and ongoing throughout its life. We recommend a twice a year treatment with a decking oil, but if you choose not to treat your bench, it will not affect its use or structural soundness. We use timber than has a moisture content of under 20% which is suitable for use a garden furniture.
Timber is a natural product and will adapt to its environment, this adaptation includes drying and moving which will mean cracks may appear in the wood. This is nothing to worry about and is purely the wood adapting to its environment and reacting to the weather around it, some cracks may seem very deep but it very rarely penetrates the whole depth of the sleeper and will not affect the wood’s structural soundness. This is a common occurrence with any wooden furniture or structure designed for outdoor use. During the summer months your bench may arrive with your with cracks already present, this is just the sleepers reaction to the weather whilst in our workshop.
If you concerned that any cracks appear sharp you can smooth any edges with sandpaper and retreat that area with an oil. Once your bench has had its first summer with you, an autumnal treatment of oil it’s unlikely you will see any further cracks form. Direct sunlight during the warmer months may have more of an impact on your furniture, if possible, place your bench in a spot in your garden which gets a mixture of sun and shade at various times of the day to help minimise the wood drying out rapidly which can contribute to cracking. Due to the thickness and wood type of our oak benches, the cracks may be more obvious than on our pine benches and may require additional sanding down to smooth any rough edges. If you are concerned about this we recommend our pine benches, we are happy to swap your order prior to delivery if you require (we need at least two weeks notice to adjust your order’s wood type).
Sap pockets may appear in your wood and ooze sap during the warmer weather, a natural substance all wood has within its grain. We seal any sap pockets we see during the making process, although hidden or deeper pockets can appear after delivery. If this occurs please refer to our aftercare information which details how to remove sap and prevent any further leakage.
In the winter keep your bench in a dry area in your garden which gets some sun, allow it to breathe and dry after wet weather so avoid covering it. A treatment of oil in the autumn months will help deter any mould growth, any mould that does grow should not penetrate the wood and can be removed the following spring with a pressure washer or sander. We are also able to advise of other aftercare information once your bench has been delivered.
Please only purchase one of our benches if you are happy with the above maintenance and considerations. Once your bench has been delivered we are unable to provide a refund for natural cracks in the wood.
Will my furniture change over time?
The colour of your furniture will fade overtime and the wood will turn silver, a reapplication of oil will help keeps its deep colour. Cedar/oak mixed colour or the simple oak is the recommended colour we suggest. With wood being a natural product there may be some changes such as cosmetic cracks which appears as the wood dries out, this is normal. During damp or wet weather your furniture may show more grain and any blemishes or marks may appear more apparent, once dry these will become minimal again.
Can I choose a colour?
We offer an finishing oil in two colours, a golden brown or dark oak. Please let us know which you would prefer during the ordering process, unless otherwise specified all furniture is finished in our golden brown colour.
Is your furniture all handmade?
Yes, every piece of furniture is handmade from scratch by us. We use pine and oak sleepers and cut, join, engrave, and finish every table and bench by hand. All our furniture is our own original design and has stood the test of time. Our first bench is still standing in Lincoln over 10 years later.
How long does your furniture take to make?
We can have a waiting list during busier months, our lead time is approximately 4 to 8 weeks at various times of the year. When you order we will advise the week furniture will be made and ready to deliver.
Is engraving included?
Yes, engraved wording on all benches is included in the price you see on our price list. Images start from £15 and painted wording and images start from £10.
Table sets include a small amount of engraving, please contact us to double check if we can include your engraving in your table set price.
All bench backs and table edges can be engraved.
We are able to paint in an image outline to make it more pronounced on your bench, or fully paint it in colour.
Please check out our memorial and celebration bench page to find out more.
How many engraved words can I fit on my bench?
We can fit approx. 20-25 characters per line on a 4ft bench and approx. 30-35 on a 5ft bench. We can fit up to 5 lines across the bench (3 lines on the top piece, 1 line on the middle piece and 1 line across the front of the seat). The best thing to do is message us with what you would like and we can assess to see if it will fit.
How do I order/pay for my order?
Pop us a message or email and we will take your order and confirm your quote including any delivery price. We require a £50 deposit for memorial and garden benches and £200 deposit for table sets, this can be paid via PayPal or bank transfer. We can also email you across a digital invoice where you can use a debit or credit card for payment.
Once you have placed a deposit you will be given a date for your bench to be made and your furniture will generally be delivered the following week. A delivery date will be confirmed at least a week before delivery.
Full payment via bank transfer or cash on delivery is needed prior to your bench being collected by our courier. We will send across a photo of your bench before payment on request.
What wood is it made from and how long will it last?
Our most popular furniture is made from Nordic pine landscaping sleepers which are 8 inches wide by 4 inches high. The timber we use is thick, solid and heavy. Its pressure treated at the timber yard before arriving with us and we also treat it prior to delivering to you.
We do also offer a hardwood oak version of our benches and picnic tables, the thickness of the wood on these is slightly thinner at 2 inches thick, instead of 4. Due to the weight of 4 inch thick oak sleepers we have opted for these so we can move them easily.
With a regular twice a year oil treatment our pine benches will last approximately 10 to 15 years, our oak version much longer.
We use green timber on our furniture, mainly pine landscaping sleepers but we do also use oak if requested. Green timber means the timber is not kiln dried and suitable for garden use, the timber may still hold some moisture on delivery. We recommend keeping your furniture in a sunny spot, uncovered to allow it to fully dry. A regular treatment of oil once dry will help keep any future moisture out.
The timber we use is not completely blemish free, it will show some marks and knots in the wood. We do sand the wood back to leave a smooth finish but it is not possible to completely remove every blemish. Our furniture is considered rustic and the various marks and blemishes adds to the character.
Do you deliver your furniture nationwide?
We do yes, our benches are delivered all over mainland UK via our dedicated courier service and our table sets are delivered by ourselves.
The delivery timeframe is usually 7 to 14 days from the day your bench is collected by our courier, your table set is usually delivered the week it is made by us.
The delivery cost varies from between £60 to £80 depending on item(s) ordered and location in the country.
Currently we do not deliver to Northern Ireland.
Do I need to assemble my bench or table set?
No, all our benches and table sets are delivered assembled and ready to use. Table sets may need to be assembled on site, but we will do this free of charge.
Will I need to be home for the delivery?
No, our courier can leave your furniture in your chosen safe location, you are able to arrange this with them directly when they advise you of a delivery date.
Do I have to maintain my furniture?
Our benches require a small amount of maintenance during its lifetime. As your bench settles in, and ongoing throughout its life. We recommend a twice a year treatment with a decking oil, but if you choose not to treat your bench, it will not affect its use or structural soundness. We use timber than has a moisture content of under 20% which is suitable for use a garden furniture.
Timber is a natural product and will adapt to its environment, this adaptation includes drying and moving which will mean cracks may appear in the wood. This is nothing to worry about and is purely the wood adapting to its environment and reacting to the weather around it, some cracks may seem very deep but it very rarely penetrates the whole depth of the sleeper and will not affect the wood’s structural soundness. This is a common occurrence with any wooden furniture or structure designed for outdoor use. During the summer months your bench may arrive with your with cracks already present, this is just the sleepers reaction to the weather whilst in our workshop.
If you concerned that any cracks appear sharp you can smooth any edges with sandpaper and retreat that area with an oil. Once your bench has had its first summer with you, an autumnal treatment of oil it’s unlikely you will see any further cracks form. Direct sunlight during the warmer months may have more of an impact on your furniture, if possible, place your bench in a spot in your garden which gets a mixture of sun and shade at various times of the day to help minimise the wood drying out rapidly which can contribute to cracking. Due to the thickness and wood type of our oak benches, the cracks may be more obvious than on our pine benches and may require additional sanding down to smooth any rough edges. If you are concerned about this we recommend our pine benches, we are happy to swap your order prior to delivery if you require (we need at least two weeks notice to adjust your order’s wood type).
Sap pockets may appear in your wood and ooze sap during the warmer weather, a natural substance all wood has within its grain. We seal any sap pockets we see during the making process, although hidden or deeper pockets can appear after delivery. If this occurs please refer to our aftercare information which details how to remove sap and prevent any further leakage.
In the winter keep your bench in a dry area in your garden which gets some sun, allow it to breathe and dry after wet weather so avoid covering it. A treatment of oil in the autumn months will help deter any mould growth, any mould that does grow should not penetrate the wood and can be removed the following spring with a pressure washer or sander. We are also able to advise of other aftercare information once your bench has been delivered.
Please only purchase one of our benches if you are happy with the above maintenance and considerations. Once your bench has been delivered we are unable to provide a refund for natural cracks in the wood.
Will my furniture change over time?
The colour of your furniture will fade overtime and the wood will turn silver, a reapplication of oil will help keeps its deep colour. Cedar/oak mixed colour or the simple oak is the recommended colour we suggest. With wood being a natural product there may be some changes such as cosmetic cracks which appears as the wood dries out, this is normal. During damp or wet weather your furniture may show more grain and any blemishes or marks may appear more apparent, once dry these will become minimal again.
Can I choose a colour?
We offer an finishing oil in two colours, a golden brown or dark oak. Please let us know which you would prefer during the ordering process, unless otherwise specified all furniture is finished in our golden brown colour.
Is your furniture all handmade?
Yes, every piece of furniture is handmade from scratch by us. We use pine and oak sleepers and cut, join, engrave, and finish every table and bench by hand. All our furniture is our own original design and has stood the test of time. Our first bench is still standing in Lincoln over 10 years later.
How long does your furniture take to make?
We can have a waiting list during busier months, our lead time is approximately 4 to 8 weeks at various times of the year. When you order we will advise the week furniture will be made and ready to deliver.
Is engraving included?
Yes, engraved wording on all benches is included in the price you see on our price list. Images start from £15 and painted wording and images start from £10.
Table sets include a small amount of engraving, please contact us to double check if we can include your engraving in your table set price.
All bench backs and table edges can be engraved.
We are able to paint in an image outline to make it more pronounced on your bench, or fully paint it in colour.
Please check out our memorial and celebration bench page to find out more.
How many engraved words can I fit on my bench?
We can fit approx. 20-25 characters per line on a 4ft bench and approx. 30-35 on a 5ft bench. We can fit up to 5 lines across the bench (3 lines on the top piece, 1 line on the middle piece and 1 line across the front of the seat). The best thing to do is message us with what you would like and we can assess to see if it will fit.
How do I order/pay for my order?
Pop us a message or email and we will take your order and confirm your quote including any delivery price. We require a £50 deposit for memorial and garden benches and £200 deposit for table sets, this can be paid via PayPal or bank transfer. We can also email you across a digital invoice where you can use a debit or credit card for payment.
Once you have placed a deposit you will be given a date for your bench to be made and your furniture will generally be delivered the following week. A delivery date will be confirmed at least a week before delivery.
Full payment via bank transfer or cash on delivery is needed prior to your bench being collected by our courier. We will send across a photo of your bench before payment on request.
What wood is it made from and how long will it last?
Our most popular furniture is made from Nordic pine landscaping sleepers which are 8 inches wide by 4 inches high. The timber we use is thick, solid and heavy. Its pressure treated at the timber yard before arriving with us and we also treat it prior to delivering to you.
We do also offer a hardwood oak version of our benches and picnic tables, the thickness of the wood on these is slightly thinner at 2 inches thick, instead of 4. Due to the weight of 4 inch thick oak sleepers we have opted for these so we can move them easily.
With a regular twice a year oil treatment our pine benches will last approximately 10 to 15 years, our oak version much longer.
We use green timber on our furniture, mainly pine landscaping sleepers but we do also use oak if requested. Green timber means the timber is not kiln dried and suitable for garden use, the timber may still hold some moisture on delivery. We recommend keeping your furniture in a sunny spot, uncovered to allow it to fully dry. A regular treatment of oil once dry will help keep any future moisture out.
The timber we use is not completely blemish free, it will show some marks and knots in the wood. We do sand the wood back to leave a smooth finish but it is not possible to completely remove every blemish. Our furniture is considered rustic and the various marks and blemishes adds to the character.
Do you deliver your furniture nationwide?
We do yes, our benches are delivered all over mainland UK via our dedicated courier service and our table sets are delivered by ourselves.
The delivery timeframe is usually 7 to 14 days from the day your bench is collected by our courier, your table set is usually delivered the week it is made by us.
The delivery cost varies from between £60 to £80 depending on item(s) ordered and location in the country.
Currently we do not deliver to Northern Ireland.
Do I need to assemble my bench or table set?
No, all our benches and table sets are delivered assembled and ready to use. Table sets may need to be assembled on site, but we will do this free of charge.
Will I need to be home for the delivery?
No, our courier can leave your furniture in your chosen safe location, you are able to arrange this with them directly when they advise you of a delivery date.
Do I have to maintain my furniture?
Our benches require a small amount of maintenance during its lifetime. As your bench settles in, and ongoing throughout its life. We recommend a twice a year treatment with a decking oil, but if you choose not to treat your bench, it will not affect its use or structural soundness. We use timber than has a moisture content of under 20% which is suitable for use a garden furniture.
Timber is a natural product and will adapt to its environment, this adaptation includes drying and moving which will mean cracks may appear in the wood. This is nothing to worry about and is purely the wood adapting to its environment and reacting to the weather around it, some cracks may seem very deep but it very rarely penetrates the whole depth of the sleeper and will not affect the wood’s structural soundness. This is a common occurrence with any wooden furniture or structure designed for outdoor use. During the summer months your bench may arrive with your with cracks already present, this is just the sleepers reaction to the weather whilst in our workshop.
If you concerned that any cracks appear sharp you can smooth any edges with sandpaper and retreat that area with an oil. Once your bench has had its first summer with you, an autumnal treatment of oil it’s unlikely you will see any further cracks form. Direct sunlight during the warmer months may have more of an impact on your furniture, if possible, place your bench in a spot in your garden which gets a mixture of sun and shade at various times of the day to help minimise the wood drying out rapidly which can contribute to cracking. Due to the thickness and wood type of our oak benches, the cracks may be more obvious than on our pine benches and may require additional sanding down to smooth any rough edges. If you are concerned about this we recommend our pine benches, we are happy to swap your order prior to delivery if you require (we need at least two weeks notice to adjust your order’s wood type).
Sap pockets may appear in your wood and ooze sap during the warmer weather, a natural substance all wood has within its grain. We seal any sap pockets we see during the making process, although hidden or deeper pockets can appear after delivery. If this occurs please refer to our aftercare information which details how to remove sap and prevent any further leakage.
In the winter keep your bench in a dry area in your garden which gets some sun, allow it to breathe and dry after wet weather so avoid covering it. A treatment of oil in the autumn months will help deter any mould growth, any mould that does grow should not penetrate the wood and can be removed the following spring with a pressure washer or sander. We are also able to advise of other aftercare information once your bench has been delivered.
Please only purchase one of our benches if you are happy with the above maintenance and considerations. Once your bench has been delivered we are unable to provide a refund for natural cracks in the wood.
Will my furniture change over time?
The colour of your furniture will fade overtime and the wood will turn silver, a reapplication of oil will help keeps its deep colour. Cedar/oak mixed colour or the simple oak is the recommended colour we suggest. With wood being a natural product there may be some changes such as cosmetic cracks which appears as the wood dries out, this is normal. During damp or wet weather your furniture may show more grain and any blemishes or marks may appear more apparent, once dry these will become minimal again.
Can I choose a colour?
We offer an finishing oil in two colours, a golden brown or dark oak. Please let us know which you would prefer during the ordering process, unless otherwise specified all furniture is finished in our golden brown colour.