For our oak swing seats and day beds we select Prime Grade air-dried oak from Hewins Timber - a timber chosen for its exceptional quality, clarity and suitability for fine outdoor joinery. This makes it a superb choice for visible surfaces and refined furniture applications where visual consistency and structural integrity are essential.
Oak is a natural material with a rich character - the grain, subtle tonal variation and occasional small features are intrinsic to its beauty. Air drying allows the timber to season gently and thoroughly, enhancing stability and reducing internal stresses so that the finished piece stands resilient outdoors. Over time, if left untreated, oak will mellow from warm honey tones to a soft, silver-grey patina that sits harmoniously within a garden setting.
We value oak for both its performance and its story. It is strong and durable by nature, capable of withstanding the cycles of sun, rain and frost, and — with simple seasonal care — a well-made oak seat should give years of enjoyment. Our standard guarantee is five years, yet with thoughtful upkeep and a calm, unhurried life in the garden, it is entirely reasonable for such a piece to endure and gently age for a decade and beyond - an object of quiet presence and enduring appeal that only deepens with time.