finishing outdoor seating area

[Chin85]

hi all

i have an outdoor seating area which we built last year (picture attached).
this has been built out of concrete blocks and rendered - however due to various circumstances when we had it rendered we were unable to render the actual bench part of the seat meaning it was simply exposed concrete.

we needed a temporary fix so had the bench part of the seat tiled over so we had something nicer to sit on, however after the worst winter ever the tiles have been left battered - so my plan is to lift all the tiles and remove the adhesive beneath.

i now just need a simple and acceptable finish for the top part once i remove the tiles and adhesive. I was looking into screed, which is a possibility, but wondered if there's anything else that someone can suggest that's quite easy to do? i wont have access to a cement mixer this time so would have to mix by hand.

i don't mind what colour it is as the whole seating area will be painted once finished, and i'll also be putting cushions over it, so i just need something that's durable and will give a relatively smooth finish.

any suggestions please or thoughts?

regards

 

[Tigercubrider]

duck board style removable slatted hardwood panels?
take them indoors when the weather turns and easy to oil or varnish.
or padded cushions
maybe look at boat seating

 

[Chin85]

Thanks but ideally looking to steer away from boards and would prefer something low maintenance like screed or even an outdoor self levelling compound if such a thing exists?

 

[Chin85]

so i think after much research the best option for this would be some sort of paving slab, sandstone block paving could work unless anyone disagrees?

 

[ivixor]

Not exactly comfortable, and will be abrasive and leave dust and scratches on clothes/skin. Don't see why you wouldn't use some nice planed and treated timber. Would look much nicer too.