The bench was sheltered, so it didn’t really see a lot of weather (although it did live outside for a year, through all seasons and a brutal winter). After a year, I ended up experimenting with this bench because it still looked so perfect after a year – it didn’t weather and turn grey, like I hoped. So I did a wood burning technique on it, which was great for durability, but then after a year, I didn’t like the color any more so just recently I ended up painting it an exterior black black. Not because I had to, just because I wanted a bolder look. So, the wood held up really well with no treatments, but I didn’t like the look of it. I expected it to weather and grey. You have so many options: you can leave the wood and hope it weathers nicely, or try a clear exterior varnish or colored stain, or try pressure treated wood.

That is a very cool idea! That would be neat information for others to have too. Okay, I'll try to remember that – although I'll definitely be crabby when I have to trudge through the snow, lol.

Flux cord wire is what we have. I love that you weld! I'm slowly learning but for blog photos I always show hubby because goodness knows I am probably doing everything wrong haha. He learned in school (high school and college). The welder is mine, he married well 😉 Interesting about the untreated wood. I know hubby's dad has it for siding so I knew it lasts awhile but didn't even think about the ramifications of painted wood. That makes so much sense though. I am hoping it doesn't take too long to grey… I'll have to look into barn wood. I'm curious now. Hubby and his dad were team cedar, I think because I showed them really light grey examples and this will appparently get to that silvery hue. My only worry is that part of the siding is hidden in the car port. I wonder if that won't grey at all? I would be curious to know when yours starts to really silver. I'll have to move the bench out, like you said. It's pretty exposed there, it gets soaked and full sun but I'll move it around and try to maximize that exposure. Gosh it's so heavy though. I died just getting it there from the garage.

I linked to some etsy shops selling them! And similar metal leg ideas. You could also try putting a want ad on kijiji. I bet a high school student taking welding would love to earn some cash. I had a friend who took welding and she made all kinds of things for people in high school. I'd offer to make you some but o think the shipping with Canada post would be a million bucks lol.

I think cooper will be a nice neutral choice because it will blend into nature but I hadn't thought about painting it! I had guessed they were powder coated/heat treated or something so now I am definitely going to ask that when we get some quotes. Thanks for that idea!