Outdoor Projects

Teak for Outdoor Furniture: Why is It The Best?

When it comes to your deck, porch, or patio area, you should really want the best teak furniture that money can buy. Here is why you should purchase some fabulous teak for outdoor furniture for your space.

Teak for outdoor furniture is the best furniture you can have for a wide variety of reasons. To begin with, teak is a very beautiful wood that has a stunning natural golden tone.

Probably the most effective quality of teak for outdoor furniture is that teak wood is extremely sturdy and durable because it’s a really hard wood that’s virtually indestructible.

Over time, this color will fade to a weathered, sophisticated silver-gray color.

If you want your furniture to keep the natural golden tone when it is new, all you simply have to do is apply a teak oil or protect-ant at the beginning of each summer season. Really thought, both looks are very appealing to the eye.

Plus, it is also very resistant to the weather because of its natural oils, which means that if you have to keep yours outdoors, you will not have to worry about it getting damaged.

Rain, sleet, overexposure to the sun, hail, ice, even snow won’t harm it.

It is so strong and durable that manufacturers even use it to make boats and sailing ships.

So, if it is tough enough to handle the huge ocean waves and harsh weather conditions, you know that furniture made out of teak will definitely be able to handle the rigors of outdoor living.

There are many teak for outdoor furniture selections that are on the market, making it easy for you to furnish your outdoor space in the way you want it.

For example, if you would like an outdoor area that’s posh and very comfortable, you’ll choose some fabulous deep seating options, that go along with thick cushions, including club chairs, love seats, and sofas.

To truly complete the space, add a couple of lovely coffee tables and end tables, to provide everyone with a pleasant spot where they will set down drinks, plates, or any other items that they may need a break from carrying.

Along with the deep seating options, there are others available as well and a quick way to see them all is through online shopping.

So, with your outdoor space, you must really go with the best furniture that money can purchase and teak outdoor furniture fits the bill.

Beautiful, durable, and very comfortable, there really isn’t any other choice when it involves furnishing your porch, deck, or patio.

With it in your space, you will leave a lasting impression on your guests, family, and friends that you have excellent taste.

Why Teak Wood is the Best for Outdoor Furniture ?

outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture will increase the beauty and elegance of your home garden. Being a natural product, teak wood is considered to be the best material for constructing teak outdoor furniture.

Since most timbers aren’t immune to adverse weather and insects, utmost care should be taken to stretch their lastingness. Here comes the prominence of teak wood as the ideal wood for creating outdoor patio furniture.

Teak wood is one among the best, long-lasting and powerful materials used for indoor and outdoor furniture.

Here are 9 reasons of why teak is the best suited wood for outdoor furniture :

  1. Teak wood looks good, is smooth, sturdy and durable.
  1. Has an increase resistance to bad weather and insects. A garden bench built from teak wood can withstanding rain and sunlight for several years even without need of maintenance.
  1. Unlike other outdoor furniture, teak for outdoor furniture don’t require artificial polishing or oiling.
  1. Teak wood has a rich content of natural oil and silica which makes it resistant to all kinds of insects.
  1. Teak wood is also suitable for structural works and carved designs for its sturdiness, elasticity and ease of use.
  1. Teak wood does not rot or splintered due to the presence of silica and oil content even if it remains in contact with metals like iron for years.
  1. Being a dense wood, together with other mentioned qualities, makes teak wood the favorite wood for outdoor furniture.
  1. Teak furniture stand out above the rest of the furniture because it has a stylish design with clean lines.
  1. Cleaning and maintaining teak furniture is pretty easy.

One of the reasons why teak wood has a high price, is that it takes approximately 50 to 60 years to complete its physical growth.

Because of the high cost and scarcity of teak it has given rise to the utilization of other hardwoods like African oak and mahogany but their quality doesn’t match the one of the teak wood.

Despite its high cost and difficulty to acquire, teak remains the popular wood for creating top quality furniture, doors, windows etc.

Although teak wood is immune to heat and humidity and resistant to insects, timely cleaning and maintenance will certainly prolong its life.

What are the main uses of teak wood?

Due to its hardness, the teak wood has been used since ancient times, to make the ships.

Shipbuilders are also using this type of wood, using it either to cover the decks or to make the furniture on board.

Moreover, the teak furniture is the winning option, for each space subjected to high humidity:

  • The spaces around the pool;
  • The perimeter discovered in the garden;
  • Courts in areas with high humidity;
  • Pontoons for small boats;
  • Bathrooms in residential buildings.
  • In countries with tradition in the processing and use of teak wood, it can often be found in the form of doors, shutters and even roof structures.

Characteristics of teak wood.
 What makes teak wood special for outdoor use?

The teak wood is native to Myanmar, a country between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, a monsoon area, rich in teak parquet, with precipitation (up to 5000 mm annually in coastal areas)

Due to these conditions, teak fiber contains oils that make it moisture resistant.

In fact, this is the reason why teak is recommended for landscaping in high humidity areas (bathrooms, kitchens, balconies, teak wood for terraces) and also outdoor areas.

Teak is a hardwood, light in weight. The golden color of the freshly assembled parquet floats in time, with a unique look.

Although teak wood is a medium hardwood, it is easy to work, which is why it has other applications besides floors (outdoor furniture, decorative objects, boats).

It is a wood that is stable in terms of size (decreasing or increasing in volume under different conditions of temperature or humidity), resisting in the long term even in conditions of fluctuation of temperature or humidity.

Why Buy Teak for Outdoor Furniture?

teak outdoor furniture
www.crinklecrankle.com

Isn’t nature wonderful? There is no better way to enjoy nature than from the comfort of your own backyard patio outdoor furniture.

However, unless you’re really into roughing it and you’re keen on the texture of gravel under your posterior, you should plant to invest in some teak furniture for those quiet summer nights. You need to buy some teak for outdoor furniture.

Why teak furniture? Teak for outdoor furniture has gained quite an reputation for being sturdy and durable.

Did you recognize that one among the popular materials for ship building years ago was teak? If it’s fine to be sailing the high seas, it’s great for whatever weather your part of the world can throw at it.

Most of the wood utilized in teak furniture today comes from Indonesia and Thailand. These are tropical rainforest areas that the teak trees are grown and matured under varying environmental conditions.

For this reason they need become resistant to harsh conditions and this carries through to your teak furniture.

In addition, teak furniture is more or less impervious to attack by insects and decay . This amazing property is thanks to the high concentrations of natural oils which repel insects, mold and fungi.

These oils are present in both living and dead trees, so they are definitely present in your teak furniture.

This is extremely excellent news for unfortunate homeowners who have shelled out a lot of money on other wooden furniture only to have it collapse under them, literally.

Teak outdoor furniture is definitely considered the benchmark by which other outdoor wooden furniture is judged, and it is more expensive.

Nonetheless, it’s rich, vibrant color, complete with swirling accents, adds to its appeal.

There is a great diversity in teak furniture, with buyers able to locate teak chairs, teak tables, teak garden benches and teak garden borders to name a few.

There is one thing that you simply must remember of though ,while you’ll have your teak outdoor furniture for years to come, you may need to maintain it.

One thing that no sort of furniture, including teak furniture, can fight is that the build-up of moss. This is often unsightly and downright dangerous if it gets too slippery.

You shouldn’t worry about that because teak outdoor furniture can be easily cleaned with soap and water.

That’s about all you need to try and do with your teak outdoor furniture so maintenance is a breeze, and it looks great and it lasts a really very long time.

Is Teak For Outdoor Furniture Right For Me?

teak outdoor patio

You are contemplating your first purchase of Teak Furniture and you’re wondering if you’re making the proper decision?

Well, you are and during this quick article, I will be able to explain why I think that.

If you already use Teak Wood on your favorite outdoor furniture, then this text will just be fun information for you to understand and share together with your friends once they ask you, “why did you purchase Teak Wood” and not other type?

It is no surprise, or it shouldn’t be, that Teak Wood has been the favored wood for generations. The secrets of this wood are out and that they are for an extended , long time.

First, a touch history lesson:

The wood wont to build these early Chinese ships was Teak. it’s also said that the Chinese shipbuilders would bury the wood logs in moist soil for years before building their ships.

This made the teak wood much stronger and impervious to anything that would be encountered on the high seas,including enemies.

The British had learned how impervious these ships were to all or any of the weather at sea: Saltwater, ocean wind, and therefore the blistering sun. 

It had been also learned then that Teak was found to not splinter when hit by gunfire or cannon fire .

This was a really important issue as splintering wood was the chief explanation for casualties among naval warfare within the eighteenth century.

It is the one wood which will withstand the monsoons, the blistering heat and therefore the humidity. it’s the wood that each other timber species are compared to.

Teak Wood contains natural oil and Silica (sand) which makes it impervious to insects, and wood rot making it ideal for outdoor furniture.

When many of English ships of WWII were taken apart for salvage, the Teak Wood decks were re-manufactured into outdoor furniture like park benches. Even today they will be seen in many parts of Europe still functioning.

Most of the Teak grown today is grown on Plantations that are governed by the local governments.

The demand for Teak is growing at an estimated 10% per annum . Teak may be a heavily regulated (and rightfully so) commodity, and is sold through the auction process. Teak isn’t very easy to urge .

There are regulatory permits that possesses to be purchased and other expenses that go in conjunction with regulation.

Currently, Java, Indonesia is that the largest exporter of Teak. There are several companies that are located in Java which will process and fashion the Teak into furniture, or planks for flooring or siding, then export the finished item or semi finished item to countries round the world.

Teak grows very rapidly but still takes approx. 50 years to mature. Many countries are reviewing the possible rotation after 30 or 40 years. This is often often mainly because of the huge demand for Teak.

The consensus with this rotation is that the wood won’t be inferior at that rate. But some countries that try tree rotation after only 25 years and the results are: timber that’s smaller in diameter, color, and grain.

So, when add it all up, you get a way better understanding not only of what the hype about Teak Wood is all about, but the various qualities of Teak Wood and therefore the supply and demand side of Teak Wood.

Many people for generations are enjoying the nice and cozy benefits of owning Teak Wood products.

Around the world Outdoor Teak Furniture is a standard for many families, being used in gardens, terraces, patios, verandas, ships, and yachts.

If you are investing in outdoor furniture, you actually owe it to yourself to step into the world of Teak.

Teak Furniture: Evaluating The Best Before You Buy

outdoor wood chairs and table

Are you considering teak furniture for your lawn or other outdoor living space? If so, you shouldn’t be so quick to purchase a product.

While quite a beautiful piece of work, teak items is available in different qualities and you may just end up with poor quality if you do not know what to look for.

Its not all the same, in other words. How can you know what resources are good products to purchase and which are not worth the investment?

You probably have heard of the ruggedness of teak furniture as well as its beauty. Both of these qualities come directly from the organic product.

There are nature-based oils that are within teak that help it to withstand most elements of nature and in some cases have weathered lightly in over a century of outdoor use.

Teak furniture is resistant to shrinking, swelling as well as rotting and warping. They need little to no upkeep as well.

Before you run off and purchase the teak furniture that you have seen advertised, you should take a little closer look at the product and exactly what grade it is.

Workmanship Is Crucial

The workmanship of the teak is very major to its level. It is normally manufactured with mortise and tenon joinery.

But, this can vary between manufacturers. In any case, the workmanship should provide a very snug fit to joints without gaps.

You should keep away from items that have been patched, that is, a timber putty has been used to fill in the gaps and hide whatever is under it.

Insure that it will not need to be glued together as this too will weaken it considerably. Handcrafted product will have a fine sanding on the items. It should then be quite suave and not have rough edges to it.

Its Design.

The make of teak furniture is also quite important. In its traditional style, it is that of elegance that is fitting to the outdoor settings.

It is classic and subtle.

You will not want the items that you buy to look like it was furniture from within the house that you brought out. Instead, look for a comfortable style and size that is less modern and more traditional.

Pricing Woes.

There is a wonderful range of pricing on teak outdoor furniture. But, like most other markets, grade product is not necessarily that which is higher in price, but rather higher in quality.

You will find very pricey teak outdoor furniture that is poor in its design and workmanship and you will find lesser expensive product that is high in level.

While it is traditionally a more expensively priced product, the more availability of it has helped to lower prices somewhat.

Teak items that is true teak can only be grown in Southeast Asia. It does not grow in tropical lands but in fact needs a much drier climate.

Look at where the wood is coming from, the quality of workmanship and the design elements in it to determine if it is worth your investment.

Is Teak Wood Good for Outdoor Furniture?

Teak wood furniture is renowned worldwide for the beauty of the essence but also for its exceptional durability especially for outdoor furniture. This increased resistance is due to the special properties of teak wood.

The teak stands out as the most valuable hardwood, mainly due to some of its unique qualities: resistance to pests and environmental conditions, but also the property to change its color.

  • Exotic beauty

Teak wood is considered one of the most valuable natural resources in the countries of Southeast Asia.

It is a very beautiful hardwood, with a fine texture. It can be processed so that it has a classic, elegant, or rustic, antique look.

  • Resistance to pests

The teak contains rubber and natural oils that remain active even after processing the wood.

They differentiate the teak from any other wood and, along with silicon, constantly contribute to the protection of teak furniture in front of pests: termites, beetles, mold.

Also, these substances protect the teak and against splitting.

  • Resistance to environmental conditions

Teak is an ideal material for outdoor furniture, for terraces or garden. This is due to the natural resistance of teak to water and environmental conditions.

Thus, the action of the wind or strong sun and humidity (rain or snow) will not affect the furniture made of teak wood.

  • Special color, versatile

Teak is an elegant and very special wood due to its color which changes over time.

The color of young teak wood varies from light brown to dark, with hues similar to honey. Along the way, the key gets a light gray hue, with shiny silver reflections.

All these characteristics give the teak wood an incomparable elegance and durability, the teak furniture being a smart investment for life.

Tips To Keep Teak Outdoor Furniture Looking Its Best

In order to withstand rain, wind and sun, outdoor furniture has to be tough and no wood is as appreciated for its rugged beauty and legendary durability as teak wood.

Made to last for decades with absolutely no maintenance, upkeep is more a matter of personal preference than a requirement.

Depending on preferences, some like the golden color of the new teak while other prefer the distinguished silver-grey color after the teak ages.

No matter of your preference, following only a few steps will ensure that your teak furniture stays in tip-top shape for many years.

Here are a some tips from Jeremy Smith, president of Wood Classics, a U.S.-based teak furniture manufacturer:

  • Ensure you have a top quality product.
  • Be careful to the wood quality and and construction techniques used in the furniture making, because this will affect furniture quality
  • When looking at teak products, make sure they are really teak, not “teak-like” or “as good as teak.”
  • Consider the grade of teak being used. First European Quality (FEQ) is the top grade without knots, cracks or pits.
  • If you prefer the natural look of weathered teak, you can look forward to virtually no maintenance.
  • If your furniture is left outside, you will want to clean off mildew, sap and pollen annually with Deck Wash.
  • Maybe you want the original rich honey color of teak, there are several steps you can take to preserve this golden color.
  • After thoroughly washing the teak you can treat it with specialized teak cleaners and restoration products.
  • If you’re using the teak furniture indoors, consider finishing it to protect it from stains by sealing or varnishing it.
  • Stop using teak oil, varnishes or sealers on furniture if it is an outdoor furniture, since this may cause it to turn black with mildew.

However, using these products is time-intensive. We usually recommend that you either allow the teak to age naturally, clean it with a deck wash or hire a professional teak maintenance service to apply the more specialized products.

Adrian Tapu

Adrian is a seasoned woodworking with over 15 years of experience. He helps both beginners and professionals expand their skills in areas like furniture making, cabinetry, wood joints, tools and techniques. Through his popular blog, Adrian shares woodworking tips, tutorials and plans related to topics such as wood identification, hand tools, power tools and finishing.

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