When it comes to furniture, the ones made out of teak are the most elegant and durable. Outdoor furniture in particular looks best when made from teak and people are always on the lookout for good teak outdoor furniture that they can buy at a bargain or get them crafted by a good carpenter.

Best in furniture business

Teak belongs to the dense and coarse grain variety of hardwood that typically is found in great numbers in the forests of Southeast Asia, Central America and Africa. It normally has grains that are straight but sometimes have been found with ones that are wavy as well.

This wood has a lot of silica content in it which leads to the edges getting blunted pretty quickly. Unlike the other varieties of wood that have silica mainly concentrated around the bark, teak contains silica running through it. Freshly cut teak exudes a very pleasant odor that is similar to that of leather. It also feels oily because of the oil content and it is this combination of oil and rubber within teak that makes it ideal for outdoor furniture. The amount of silica and oil present in teak also lends it qualities of a good insect repellent. This prevents termites and other insects that bore into wood from coming close to it. Teak is also highly resistant to solvents like water, harsh chemicals like acids and does not have a negative reaction when placed with metals. It is thus the ideal material for making furniture that is strong, elegant and durable.

However, it is important to select the right teak outdoor furniture quality, which should be of Grade A type and has to be adequately kiln dried. The joints of the furniture as well as the thickness and undersides of the pieces are other things you need to look at to get a good idea of how good the furniture is.

Having bought the teak outdoor furniture home, it is equally important to take good care of it and you can make use of good cosmetic applications called ‘protectors’ that will help the teak to sustain its original color for more than a season. If need be, you can then go for another application. If you do not take care of the furniture in this fashion, it can become silvery gray in color over time and due to the elements of weather such as the sun and rain.

Experts however do not advise the use of teak oil as an application for maintaining the shine since it requires to be done every three months and such oiling may also lead to inconsistent color patterns on the furniture.

The best way to maintain the look is to have the teak outdoor furniture cleaned regularly using a mild brush and a 75/25 mix of a good detergent and water. Remember to rinse properly to remove any residues of dirt and detergent and wipe them dry with a clean cloth. This will add years to the furniture and they will look good as well.

| | | | | |