A backless bech there is just waiting for a catastrophe, why not some glass and alum. railing system with seatin faceing the view.

Patricia! I know that!

The house is still under reconstruction but we are in the final stages of putting it together. There will be a stainless steel wire railing along the entire edge of the deck (the building department won't give us a clearance until it's installed), and that will be completed within 2 - 3 weeks.

Further, I need to wash windows 2-3 times a week during the spring and fall so installing a glass railing was ruled out as a reasonable solution.

Alongside me (where I took the picture) on both sides, are 8' x 9' windows overlooking the ocean and we don't want the back of chairs, benches, etc. obstructing the view.

But you didn't answer my original question.

Have you considered using Mesquite wood. It is very hard and has a beautiful pattern. Colors are similar to your existing deck. We use mesquite a lot down in south Texas for outdoor furniture.

Yes. I know. We thought of that but the bench we're looking at is sooo much smarter than the square corners that we would most likely build. So, back to my question. What about staining eucalyptus?

Below this deck is a large deck at ground level and benches of the same material will be all around the edges. The one we're looking at would be outside the living room and accessible for eating breakfast / lunch al fresco.

Texas: Are you suggesting we build it? Do you know where we can see and buy smart looking mesquite benches? We'd like something smart / fashionable rather (nice curved edge, etc) if possible. Please see my answer to njay,

Ipe holds a finish forever.

ileslie2: What is lpe???

Do you mean eucalyptus? If you mean eucalyptus, do you mean it holds a "finish" even though unfinished / unstained, or do you mean it holds a finish when stained? Whatever, we have teak chairs that we didn't stain and they turned gray. Don't want to repeat that again.

It is a tropical wood similar to teak and so dense holes need to be predrilled. We have one and it is now about 18 years old.

We have Ipe and although it is beautiful with a clear stain on it, we have had to stain it every single year on horizontal surfaces. We have been told by multiple contractors that it is a very hard wood and doesn't absorb the stain well. It holds up just fine without stain but will grey without the clear coat.

You can try mesquitefloors.com. They sell plank flooring and lumber. They have prices you can book end for wider seating. Have wood shipped to your woodworker. Or
Try longhornmesquiteworks.com and see if they have any benches you like or maybe build what you want.

Wouldn't you want to use the same wood so your bench and deck age the same?

they only way for that wood not to turn gray is to coat it with a spar varnish that has UV blockers. UV is what hastens the wood to weather. You will also need to apply a fresh coat every year. Sikkens, Epifanes, Penofin, are all good spar varnishes.