What is so special about Teak?
The gold standard of patio Furniture is Teak patio Furniture. It is an extremely dense hardwood that is rust resistant, bug resistant and needs very little maintenance to be long lasting and durable. This special wood comes from forests in Southeast Asia. A reputable dealer will be able to tell you where the Teak came from and if it was harvested responsibly. There are forests that are being harvested without being replenished and this is decreasing the supply while ultimately driving the price of Teak wood higher.
Teak oil is abundant in the wood, and gives it the qualities that make it resistant to rot, insects and rust. The oil need not to be replenished and is in the wood. The Furniture is a lifetime investment. You will not have to replace your Teak Furniture and you can even put it in your will. It lasts that long!
Why is Teak Furniture so expensive?
As an extremely hard wood, even considered in an iron wood category by some, Teak takes a long time to grow. Because it takes a long time to grow, it needs to be cultivated between harvests. Since it only grows in a relatively small geographic region, it is considered scarce in supply.
Should I paint or stain my Teak Furniture?
No! Teak should not be painted, stained or otherwise stripped. Doing do will cause the wood to dry out and destroy the inherent qualities of the oil to protect the wood. If you have Furniture that has been painted or stained, contact a Furniture restoration service for advice to arrest the damage of the sealant on the wood. Furniture made from this special wood, includes Teak benches, tables and chairs, which are naturally beautiful and do not require sealing, waterproofing or staining to maintain the durability of the wood.
Why did my Teak turn gray? Is it diseased?
Nearly every knowledgeable salesperson that you would buy Teak from should explain this quality of Teak. While all wood will weather and change shades, Teak will undergo a drastic change after a season or two in the elements. Freshly cut Teak is a honey-brown color. It will change to a silver or grayish color after being Outdoors. This patina is unique and beautiful. There is no disease or any problem with your wood. Just as one's hair silvers later in life, so will Teak. If you do not want your Furniture to develop this patina, you can treat it with special oil once or twice per year to keep it the honey brown shade.
