How do I maintain street furniture?
Street furniture gradually loses its appearance over the years due to weather conditions and usage. Even with the best materials, this cannot be entirely avoided. However, regular cleaning and maintenance done correctly will help preserve its appearance for longer.
We recommend performing periodic maintenance according to our maintenance guidelines. These guidelines provide details on how to properly care for the furniture, including choosing the right cleaning products for various materials (such as hardwood, coated steel, stainless steel, etc.).
To maintain the visual quality and aesthetic appeal of our products, we advise following the maintenance guidelines periodically, at least twice a year, and at least four times a year in coastal areas.
Regular maintenance extends lifespan
Street furniture is subject to weathering and wear over time. Proper and regular maintenance can significantly extend its lifespan. Below are the steps and recommendations for maintaining street furniture.
Cleaning products
- All cleaning products used should be pH-neutral (pH value between 6 and 8).
- They must not contain abrasive or scratching components.
- Consult the supplier of the cleaning products for the most suitable solution and carefully read the instructions on the packaging.
Cleaning wooden parts
Wood is a natural material that grays over time due to sunlight/UV exposure and may develop small cracks or surface splits. Light warping may also occur.
- Clean wooden parts using a solution of pH-neutral cleaning products (see Cleaning Products).
- In spring: Remove green deposits with a pH-neutral cleaning solution after several days of dry and sunny weather.
- Important: Never clean wooden parts with a pressure washer! Pressure washing can irreparably damage the wood by washing out the softer grain.
Cleaning furniture or components with a powder coating
The quality of powder coatings diminishes over time. Periodic cleaning extends the lifespan of the coating significantly. The cleaning frequency largely depends on the location, level of dirt, nature and degree of exposure, and desired visual standards. Surfaces exposed to periodic rainfall will collect less dirt.
Cleaning metal parts
- Remove coarse dirt by rinsing with water.
- Spray the surface with cleaning product and let it work.
- Manually remove dirt using a white "non-woven nylon" hand pad.
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
Is the component made of hot-dip galvanized steel with powder coating?
- Clean with a solution of pH-neutral cleaning products (see Cleaning Products & steps above).
Is the component made of (cast) aluminum?
- Clean with a solution of pH-neutral cleaning products (see Cleaning Products & steps above).
Is the component made of stainless steel?
- Clean with a solution of pH-neutral cleaning products (see Cleaning Products & steps above).
Maintenance for Damage
For hot-dip galvanized steel with powder coating:
- Check for damage and, if needed, touch it up with paint (e.g., using a paint pen or spray can in the correct color).
For stainless steel:
- Inspect for damage and, if necessary, touch it up using materials like Scotch-Brite.
- If rust spots have formed, contact a specialized cleaning company, such as Derustit.
Logbook
To ensure proper management and to preserve warranty claims, maintain a logbook with photos documenting where, when, and how cleaning and maintenance activities were performed.
Onderhoudsadvies
Wij adviseren daarom periodiek onderhoud uit te voeren volgens ons onderhoudsadvies. In dit advies leest u waarop u dient te letten bij het plegen van onderhoud aan het meubilair. Denk bijvoorbeeld aan de keuze voor het schoonmaakmiddel voor verschillende materialen (hardhout, gecoat staal, RVS etc.)Om de visuele kwaliteit en de esthetische uitstraling van onze producten in stand te houden adviseren wij periodiek het onderhoudsadvies op te volgen. Hierin staan de verschillende materialen zoals stalen straatmeubilair en houten straatmeubilair.
Van hout tot metaal
In het onderhoudsadvies vind je precies hoe je verschillende materialen kunt reinigen, van hout tot metaal. Ook kun je er advies vinden om kleine beschadigingen te herstellen.
Logboek
In het belang van goed beheer en om aanspraken op eventuele garantie te kunnen maken moet een logboek met foto’s bijgehouden, waar, wanneer en waarmee de schoonmaak- en
onderhoudswerkzaamheden hebben plaatsgevonden.
Related questions
Nee, wij leveren geen straatmeubilair van kunststof. Wij proberen zoveel mogelijk materialen te gebruiken die duurzaam zijn en upcycle- of recyclebaar zijn. Daarom werken we met staal dat opnieuw voorzien kan worden van een poedercoating (lees meer over refurbishen) en hout dat geschaafd en opnieuw gebruikt kan worden.
Kunststof heeft die eigenschappen niet en is naar ons idee geen ideale duurzame keuze. Een bijkomend nadeel is dat bij vandalisme aan straatmeubilair gebroken of losgeslagen stukken kunststof direct in de natuur terechtkunnen komen, met alle gevolgen van dien.
We recommend that administrators of Grijsen street furniture periodically follow our maintenance advice at least twice a year. For locations by the coast, we advise performing maintenance at least four times a year.
This depends on the sustainability class of the wood type. The (untreated) hardwood that Grijsen uses in street furniture is classified in the highest sustainability class (sustainability class 1). Further treatment or preservation is not necessary.
On the other hand, Douglas fir is treated. The properties of the wood make it less suitable for untreated use in public spaces. The Douglas fir undergoes a special preservation process based on vacuum pressure. The impregnated elements have increased durability and belong to sustainability classes 2/3.
At Grijsen, we consciously choose to use tropical hardwood in our street furniture. Tropical hardwood, sourced from countries in Latin America or Africa, offers unique properties that make it highly suitable for public spaces.
Grijsen uses various high-quality types of wood for the production of street furniture. Each type of wood has unique properties that make it suitable for use in public spaces. Grijsen uses both hardwoods, modified woods, and native woods.