1 April
Steam bending is a traditional woodworking technique used to create strong, smooth curves in solid timber. It’s a key part of the design and comfort of our handcrafted outdoor furniture.
Our signature Huers and Long Huers chairs use distinctive steam bent oak slats to create a soft, comfortable ergonomic curve. The flowing shape is one of the defining features of the design and uses a technique rooted in traditional woodworking.
We are often asked about the process of steam bending wood, so here we talk through how it works and why we use it in our handcrafted outdoor furniture.
What Is Steam Bending?
Steam bending is a traditional woodworking technique used to shape solid timber.
By exposing wood to hot steam, the lignin (a natural polymer that acts as a glue holding the wood’s cellulose fibers together) break down, allowing the timber to become flexible. While in this softened state, the wood can be bent into a new shape and once cooled and dried, it retains this form while maintaining its natural strength and structural integrity.
Unlike cutting curves from thick boards or laminating thin strips together with glue, steam bending allows a single solid piece of wood to be shaped into elegant curves.
Why We Use Steam Bent Slats
Steam bending is a clean and environmentally friendly woodworking process. It allows us to bend solid timber without the need for glues, laminations or metal fasteners.
Another advantage is that the wood can be bent while still relatively green (unseasoned). This allows us to use locally sourced oak, including timber from wind-blown trees on the Boconnoc Estate, where our workshop is located.
For our outdoor furniture, steam bent slats provide both comfort and durability. The gentle curve creates a naturally ergonomic seat while the continuous grain of the wood keeps the slats strong and resilient outdoors. The result is a chair that feels comfortable without the need for cushions or foam upholstery, allowing the natural timber and craftsmanship to take centre stage.
Why Steam Bending Instead of Laminating?
Unlike laminated timber, steam bent wood uses a single solid piece of oak. This means the grain runs continuously through the curve, creating a stronger and more durable component. Laminated curves rely on glue bonds between layers, which can weaken over time, particularly in outdoor environments.
Steam bent timber also produces a more natural, organic aesthetic, with subtle variations that reflect the character of the wood itself.
Why We Use Oak for Steam Bending
Oak is particularly suited to steam bending due to its long grain structure and strength. It bends cleanly when steamed and retains its shape well once dried. This makes it ideal for outdoor furniture where durability is essential.
The Steam Bending Process
Each curved slat used in our chairs goes through several stages:
Steaming the timber
Each oak slat is placed in a steam box for around 45 minutes, allowing the heat and moisture to soften the wood fibres.
Bending the wood
Once removed from the steam box, the slat must be bent immediately. The timber is clamped into position using our custom-made jigs that form the curve used in our chairs.
Using compression straps
Oak fibres can compress but do not stretch well. To prevent splitting, we use a steel compression strap while bending the wood. This forces the timber fibres to compress rather than tear.
Setting the curve
The slats remain clamped in the jig until they are fully dried. As the wood dries it sets permanently into its new curved form.
During bending the timber is shaped to a slightly tighter radius, allowing it to relax back to the final desired curve once removed from the jig.
Craft That Shapes Our Furniture
Steam bending is a technique that has been used in furniture and boat building for centuries. For us, it remains one of the most satisfying parts of the process — turning a straight piece of oak into the curves that shape our chairs.
At Mena Woodwork, steam bending is more than just a technique — it’s part of our commitment to making furniture that is both beautiful and built to last. By combining traditional craftsmanship with sustainably sourced timber, we create outdoor furniture designed to age gracefully and be enjoyed for decades. Our Huers and Long Huers chairs are a perfect example of how traditional steam bending techniques can create modern outdoor furniture that is both comfortable and built to last.