Hardwood or Softwood ?

50Twuncle

I have decided to repair an old garden bench - the timber has rotted - should I use hardwood or softwood ?
It is a cheap Wilkinsons one - similar to http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/garden-furniture+gazebos/wilko-garden-bench-straight-back/invt/0298553/?htxt=PsAGyAqy%2FDSGVBgOHPBfATKVETOKIWHcwqoICuDrG%2FxTcDPfxIrYzUvEu76RzzM6wutKTeo9AOCB%0AtDs76aYYKg%3D%3D

vaio

At £30 for a replacement I'd have thought it wasn't worth repairing from an MSE point of view.

If you want to do it because you can, then use hardwood and treat it but the cheapest option is going to be get a new one and it'll last years if you give it an occasional coat of preservative/varnish

olias

I agree. By the time you have paid for the wood, bolts, preservative and brushes and your time, you are better off buying new (particularly if you were thinking of hardwood).

Olias