Wulfern Strongilo Crossback Garden Bench

A long acacia garden bench with a crossback lattice, scrolled arms and turned front legs. Rated for three people and 500 pounds, it ships flat to build at home.

Four open panels run the length of the back, each one crossed by a slim X brace and framed above and below by a narrow rail. A wide flat cap rail finishes the top. The front posts are turned on a lathe into stacked rings that carry the scrolled arms down to the floor.

• Room for three

  The bench is 69.5 inches wide and 24.4 inches deep, with a seat 65.4 inches across and 19.3 inches front to back. The spec sheet rates the seating capacity at three. Arms sit 26 inches off the ground, low enough to slide under most porch rails, and the whole piece stands 34.3 inches tall.

• Putting it together

  Assembly is required. The bench arrives flat, with the back, arms, legs and seat rails to bolt together through pre drilled holes. One person can do it, though a second set of hands helps when you square the frame. Tighten every bolt by hand first, stand the bench up, then go around a second time.

• Care and winter storage

  Wipe spills off as soon as they happen and dust the slats with a soft brush or a vacuum. Never let the bench stand in water. Store it indoors over the winter, or cover it well, because this is a wood bench rather than one you can leave uncovered from one season to the next.

• How it sits

  The seat sits 16.5 inches off the ground, about dining chair height, so you get up from it easily. Narrow slats run the length of the seat with gaps between them, which lets rain drain instead of pooling and keeps the surface cooler in full sun. The back is upright rather than raked, so it suits a porch better than a lounge.

• Solid acacia throughout

  Frame, seat and back are all solid acacia, a dense hardwood used outdoors because it stands up to weather better than softwoods. The natural finish is left light so the grain and the color variation from board to board come through, which is why no two benches look identical. Acacia takes paint if you ever want a different color.

• Rated to 500 pounds

  The weight capacity is 500 pounds, which covers three adults with room left over. That number assumes the bench is fully assembled with every bolt tight, so check the hardware at the start of each season, especially where the arms meet the front posts and under the middle of the seat.

• What comes in the box

  One garden bench ships flat and needs building. Cushions, a seat pad and a cover are not included, so add them separately if you want padding or rain protection. The bench weighs 48.9 pounds once it is together.

Good to know

• Tape a 69.5 by 24.4 inch rectangle on the patio before you buy.
• Seat height is 16.5 inches, about the same as a dining chair.
• Arms clear 26 inches, so measure any porch rail you want it under.
• It weighs 48.9 pounds assembled and ships flat in one carton.