
Tournesol Paso Linear Benches
PASO LINEAR BENCHES
PASO LINEAR BENCHES
Paso makes your space the place to be.
Our newest space-making collection is designed for creating outdoor gathering places which connect people with nature.
INFORMATION
MATERIAL
- Wood
- Concrete
BRAND
Tournesol
PRODUCT TYPE
Bench
USE
- Indoor
- Outdoor
INCLUDED
- GFRC Linear Base : 1 pc.
- Linear Wood Top : 1 pc.
- ¼” Flat Washer : 4 pcs.
- ¼”-20 Socket Head Cap Screw : 4 pcs.
WARRANTY
3 Years
CLEAN
Soap & Water
DETAIL
Cast in lightweight concrete, Paso is versatile and timeless, perfect for outdoor communal environments.
TECHNICAL DETAIL
CARE & MAINTENANCE
CARE & MAINTENANCE (THERMALLY MODIFIED HARDWOOD)
Like any natural wood product, thermally modified wood can show small stress cracks, referred to as “checking.” Surface cracks are due to the surface of the wood expanding and contracting at a different rate than the core, yet do not affect durability. Thermally modified wood and all wood elements of our planters and site furnishings are treated with Penofin® oil before delivery.
Tournesol recommends sealing boards with oils and sealants meant for hardwoods to maintain the rich color and minimize checking. For the first year after receiving the products, seal every six months (depending on your climate) and then once a year. While most sealing products will darken the wood slightly, some leave an undesirable surface color. Test any sealants or oils on an inconspicuous area prior to applying to the entire project. Also, lessen splitting or end-checking with an application of wax (Anchorseal ®) to the ends of the boards. Clean the wood before any application.
CLEANING
-You can use a pressure washer to clean the wood. -We recommend using a commercial deck cleaning product that is effective against biological growth and mold spores. Again, test products on the wood in an inconspicuous location before applying them to the entire project. -The wood will develop a natural patina as it ages, especially when left unsealed. The grain of any unsealed wood may naturally become more pronounced. Despite surface changes, the wood will remain strong and decay resistant for the project’s lifespan.
CARE & MAINTENANCE (GFRC LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE)
Concrete is a porous surface that absorbs moisture and minerals, which can cause changes to the surface’s appearance. Like most concrete surfaces, our GFRC can be sealed using commercially available clear concrete sealers, Tournesol uses Brightstone Sealer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when reapplying.
Planters in exterior applications have standard drain holes in the bottom. As an option, you may request a planter without a drain hole, yet you must use a pump-out (or siphon) tube to remove water. Water standing in the bottom over a long period will harm the plant(s); it may eventually break down the interior damp-proofing material and compromise the structural integrity of (crack or break) the planter if water remains in the bottom of the planter in climates where freezing occurs.
The interior of each planter is sealed with Xypex Concentrate as a water-resistant, damp-proofing layer to prevent most efflorescence (water and dissolved minerals transmitted from the pot’s interior to the outside surface). Small surface stress cracks may eventually appear in the container but are typically restricted to the face coat of the concrete, not the stronger backing coat, and will not affect the overall strength and integrity of the planter. A touch-up kit is sent out with GFRC planters, contact Tournesol for application and repair instructions as needed, per finish.
Though GFRC planters are designed to hold up to the elements, they can still scratch, crack, or chip if care is not taken.
- Do not scrub with abrasives.
- Do not push or pull full-planted pots by the top lip.
- Rinse products well to wash away soap and grease.
- Do not use harsh chemicals on the planters or in proximity.
- Clean GFRC finishes with soap & water applied by a bristle brush to get into the textured areas.
CONCRETE FINISHES
GLASS FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE - GFRC
We cast GFRC products in our plant in Juarez, Mexico. GFRC is glass fiber reinforced concrete and is made by combining a mixture of lightfast pigments, fine sand, cement, polymer, water, and alkali-resistant glass fibers. Our GFRC products are available in five textures and a palette of colors. The glass fibers used in GFRC help give this unique compound its strength.
Alkali-resistant fibers act as the principal tensile load-carrying member, while the polymer and concrete matrix bind the threads together and helps transfer loads from one fiber to another. Without fibers, GFRC would not possess its strength and would be more prone to breakage and cracking. GFRC products have the appearance of poured concrete but are lighter and stronger. Thin layers of materials are hand-applied to mold interiors with added strength from layers of fiberglass. Our production process is different for each of our GFRC textures. All GFRC products include binders to resist cracking and efflorescence.
OPTIONAL WATERPROOFING
TourneSeal, an optional waterproofing, can be applied to the planter interior. Once coated, we test for watertightness and recommend our customers do an additional test after installation before filling.
EXTERIOR SEALANT
Concrete is a porous surface that absorbs moisture and minerals, which can cause changes to the surface appearance. To preserve original appearance, our GFRC is sealed with clear concrete sealer.
INTERIOR SEALANT
Once cast, our planters have an interior sealant added as a water-resistant, damp-proofing layer to prevent most efflorescence and cracking.
WOOD FINISHES
THERMALLY MODIFIED HARDWOOD
Our thermally modified wood is manufactured from hardwoods harvested in the Northeast, typically Oak. The wood is thermally processed in a kiln, producing a deep, rich color. Color and grain vary. Like all natural wood products, thermally modified wood will turn silver/gray once exposed to UV sunlight.
DOUGLAS FIR
A coniferous, softwood tree commonly found in western North America, Douglas Fir is a strong and dense wood with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio. It has a straight grain and a moderately coarse texture with a reddish- brown color. Highly resistant to decay and insect damage, its properties present strength, durability, and versatility for outdoor applications.
RED CEDAR
A softwood tree, highly valued for its resistance to decay and insects, durability, and attractive reddish- brown color. The wood is lightweight yet solid and stable, with a straight, uniform grain and a fine, even texture. Red Cedar has a pleasant, distinctive aroma due to the natural oils that help protect it from decay and insects.
IPE
A hardwood native to Central and South America, Ipe is highly valued for its resistance to moisture, insects, and decay; its extreme durability includes resistance to dents and scratches. Ipe has a dense, tight grain with a rich, dark brown color. The wood is very hard and heavy, with natural oils that help it remain durable and protected in inclement weather, fungal decay, and water damage.
