How to choose environmental street furniture that lasts and looks great?

Environmental street furniture is essential for creating sustainable and appealing public spaces. With the construction sector in the UK consuming more raw materials than any other industry, producing the most waste, and contributing 25% of the nation’s carbon emissions, the need for eco-conscious urban infrastructure is clear. While upcoming regulations aim to reduce carbon emissions in new buildings, they do not fully address the environmental impact of materials used in public infrastructure, highlighting the importance of sustainable street furniture choices.

Selecting street furniture involves balancing durability, sustainability, and aesthetics for landscape architects, contractors, and end-users. Thoughtfully designed pieces enhance public spaces, making them practical and inviting while reducing environmental impact. This article explores key considerations such as protective coatings, certified woods, recycled plastics, and design trends that meet the demands of modern, eco-friendly urban environments.

Considerations when selecting environmental street furniture

In choosing street furniture factors such as durability, effect on the environment, and aesthetics are some of the key considerations. To help you make informed choices, here are some key considerations:

1. High-quality coatings on metal

Outdoor metal furniture is subjected to continuous exposure to environmental factors that can induce corrosion, deterioration, and discolouration, requiring the application of protective coatings to ensure durability and longevity. Without appropriate treatment, even durable metallic materials are susceptible to degradation over time due to the effects of moisture, fluctuations in temperature, and environmental pollutants. Advanced techniques such as powder coating offer an effective solution, creating a strong, protective layer that exhibits resistance to scratches, rust, and UV damage, ensuring that the furnishings maintain their aesthetic appeal and functional integrity for an extended period.

At Made by Landmark, we combine high-quality metals like aluminium, steel, brass, and zinc with specialised surface treatments to deliver durable and cost-effective solutions. Our range includes galvanised, stainless, and weathering steels, enhanced by shot-blasted, powder-coated, or sprayed finishes. These coatings protect against environmental damage and offer a variety of appearances to suit diverse design needs, making them ideal for architects and contractors seeking reliable and visually appealing street furniture.

2. Durable certified hardwoods or modified softwoods

Certified hardwoods like teak and oak are renowned for their exceptional durability, making them ideal choices for high-traffic outdoor spaces such as parks and public areas. Properly treated timber street furniture can withstand harsh weather conditions, heavy use, and exposure to the elements, ensuring that the furniture maintains its structural integrity and attractive appearance for years to come.

Softwoods treated through thermal modification are emerging as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional hardwoods for outdoor park furniture. This innovative process alters the chemical composition of softwoods, significantly enhancing their durability, and resistance to decay, moisture, and pests. As a result, these modified softwoods rival the performance of hardwoods while offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution that reduces the strain on natural resources, providing long-lasting outdoor solutions.

3. Recycled plastic for sustainability and durability

Recycled plastic is an increasingly popular choice for commercial outdoor furniture due to its exceptional durability and sustainability benefits. This eco-friendly material is highly resistant to weather elements, pests, and rot, ensuring long-lasting performance in outdoor environments. Unlike traditional materials like wood, recycled plastic does not absorb moisture, swell, or decay, making it an ideal choice for high-traffic public spaces.

Promoting sustainability is a key advantage of recycled plastic furniture. By repurposing plastic waste, manufacturers can reduce the demand for virgin materials, conserve natural resources, and minimise the environmental impact of production processes. This aligns with growing environmental consciousness and the demand for eco-friendly solutions in urban planning and public spaces.

One of the remarkable features of recycled plastic is its versatility. Through advanced manufacturing techniques, it can mimic the appearance of traditional materials like wood or metal, offering a wide range of design options. This allows for seamless integration into various architectural styles and outdoor settings, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences.

4. Balancing aesthetics and functionality

The practicality and durability of public space furniture can be maintained while improving visual appeal through well-designed street furniture. Clean lines and understated designs that fit the scene are what are currently trending in the UK, known as minimalism. Another trend showing up is biophilic design, integrating natural patterns and elements into urban spaces, creating a sense of connection with nature.

Customisation options also allow furniture to be customised for individual landscapes, forming a harmonious and visually appealing whole. For example, park tables and benches can be created to match the architectural style of a historic district or blend together as a part of the natural landscape of a park.

Landscape architects specifying furniture for their designs have to achieve this balance between aesthetics and functionality. The overall visual appeal is largely impacted by well-crafted pieces that contribute to durability and ease of maintenance, which, in the end, enhances user experience and the longevity of the public space.

Conclusion

Finding environmental street furniture that is durable enough to withstand the test of time while contributing to sustainability is vital to enhancing public spaces. These thoughtful selections minimise environmental impact while adding long-term value, making them a practical investment for contractors, councils and architects alike. By selecting materials and designs that balance aesthetics, durability, and eco-consciousness, you can streamline projects and improve public spaces cost-effectively.

Start your project today with sustainable solutions from Made by Landmark. As one of the trusted street furniture suppliers in the UK, we offer high-quality, durable, and eco-friendly solutions designed to meet the demands of modern urban environments. Together, we can create public spaces that are as functional as they are visually appealing.