FAQs

Why in-ground?

Many things can move landscaping furniture, like wind and people, sometimes they seem to move themselves. Security is always an issue, but sometimes we just want to sit in a specific place and we want the bench to stay there. It can be in a garden, on top of a hill, or by a pond. It won’t get blown away, moved or carried away. It’ll stay put, “Sturdy as a Stump™. In-ground landscape furniture becomes an integral (built-in) part of your outdoor space.

Why don't the woods match?

Jervis Bench™ uses only SFI lumber. B Grade redwood for facings and pressure treated pine/fir for support. Each wood has a specific function and clear cost/benefit.

We use B Grade redwood lumber (considered the premium grade for decks) for facings. It is about 50-50 sapwood to heartwood which creates the beautiful contrasting red-brandy colors with the light honey-blond tones for a contemporary and sustainable look. Each plank has a 'finish' side (bark side up) that is totally unique. Sanding will be needed to smooth off anything scratchy or sharp. A high finish can be achieved with Urethane varnishes (two coats with a steel wool rubdown in between). Beautiful! For low maintenance we normally recommend painting with a good primer or premium quality deck stains. The lowest maintenance of all is with no finish at all.

Pressure treated posts and other components initially have a rough greenish cast due to the copper oxides used as a preservative. If left unfinished, as we recommend, they will age to become an attractive tan in a year or two. Leaving it unfinished will not reduce it's life, but it will reduce future maintenance.

Only the most expensive cuts of redwood could equal the in-ground durability of pressure treated woods. And, of course, pressure treated woods could never match the look and feel of redwood. So each type of wood is used for reasons of cost and performance. Jervis Bench is the first to offer such a practical and innovative combination for outdoor furniture.

For further information, go to the links below:

• California Redwood Association 
• Wikipedia: Pressure Treated Lumber

Bark side up?

The California Redwood Association recommends that planks be installed bark side up. The bark side is the outside of the tree, the pith side is the inside. Looking at the curve of the grain of an end cut will tell you which side is the bark side. In this picture it is the top side of the plank. This will help avoid splintery wood surfaces over time caused by grain separation. This is a symptome of milling smaller, younger trees grown aggressively in sustainable forests. Jervis Bench only uses SFI lumber. For this reason, sometimes we have to put the most beautiful surface face down. We're not crazy, we just don't want splinters. 

Must I use concrete?

No. In most residential applications, concrete is not necessary as long as the soil is normally well drained and compactable. Each piece of furniture has heavy posts with horizontal stabilizers that hold the ground firmly. This is why we can say that our furniture is “Sturdy as a Stump™”. Areas that have soft, muddy soils or areas that will get heavy use (municipal parks or commercial applications) may consider using concrete.

How long will it last?

All products manufactured by Jervis Bench are designed to be extremely durable. But how long will it last? It’s hard to say in terms of years considering that they are reasonably used and maintained. It will vary depending on use, weather and dampness characteristics in your area. In most cases, we’re talking about how many decades it will last. To get an idea, just ask a longtime resident of your area how long a pressure treated fence post will last. This picture shows a 10 year old example that had no maintenance at all. It's still "Sturdy as a Stump" and very comfy too.

Can it be moved?

Jervis Bench in-ground landscape furniture is secure from theft due to the economics of crime. They are secure because they look secure. It appears to take some time/effort (exposure) to remove one. However, if you know how to do it, they can be moved with relatively little effort. You simply remove dirt from in front of each post and along where the stabilizer runs, then rock it back and forth until it is loose. As you rock it back and forth, dirt is falling under the posts which cause the bench to gradually rise (like a winch). When it's high enough it can be pulled free.

Why a pedestal table?

Free standing tables need four strong legs, one at each corner. In-ground tables don't. Inground tables need just one pedestal structure that is sized proportionally with the top to give it the leverage needed for strength. With a pedestal table, everyone can sit anywhere they want without getting tangled up in table legs. It actually makes the table seem larger.

Will I need any special skills to assemble a Jervis Bench™?

The trickiest part is setting screws with an electric drill using a Philips screwdriver bit. If you are not familiar with this, we suggest that you practice a couple times before starting on your bench. Most people are surprised at how fast and easy it is. There are pre-drilled holes for every screw and clear markings for positioning each part. Assembly and Planting Guides are illustrated with photographs and written for clarity and simplicity. Experience is always helpful, but not essential.

If you are convinced that you can’t handle it, call a qualified landscape contractor who can do the entire process for you. It won’t take them long either. Regardless, you'll come out ahead.

Can the Jervis Benches be made out of different types of wood?

Not really. The woods we have selected are the best and most cost efficient for their specific functions. Any other types would cost more or perform less well. The man-made recycled planks are too flexible when rigidity is important.

*click on any photo to enlarge