Teak furniture is one of the most popular forms of wood used for outdoor decoration and application. This is because it is classified as one of the most premium woods out there. Besides its obvious natural beauty, teak furniture has several natural properties that other types of wood do not have.
The wood has high levels of natural oils which can provide a variety of benefits.
These include that it makes it very durable, stable, weather and water-resistant. The natural oils result in minimal amounts of moisture absorption meaning that it is very stable as a result. Furthermore, it is also very resistant to fungi and parasites. These properties already make it a great choice for outdoor applications.
For these reasons, teak furniture is definitely one of the better choices on the market for outdoor use.
Here is more of what you need to know about teak furniture.
Maintenance
Good teak furniture, when left in its natural state, does not require a lot of maintenance at all. New wood will experience natural oil surfacing which can make irregular patterns appear on the surface; however this is a normal part of the maturation process and can be removed by washing it clean with soap.
Over time, when it is exposed to the sun for a long period of time, it will turn a silver grey colour. This change is simply cosmetic and will not affect the durability or structural integrity of the wood at all. In fact, many people like the beautiful silver grey colour that the wood turns, and will opt to keep it this colour. However, if you do want to change it back, all you have to do is simply paint over it again. Teak furniture provides a defence using its own natural oils that will move to the surface and protect the wood from water.
For this reason, the use of varnish or oil on teak furniture is not recommended as it can peel and chip and be difficult to remove. Oiling the wood externally will not slow the greying process and can often result in mould or mildew forming on the surface of the wood. The removal of this can be difficult and requires washing with bleach and soap, then sanding.
The oil surfacing of teak furniture is a normal process, and is what provides the protection of the surface of the wood. However, this oil migration can often stain any cushions that are sitting on the surface of the wood. The cushions should be cleaned regularly with soap in order to keep them clean.
This process is completely natural and should be treated as such, and is responsible for many of the woods benefits.
Price
The price of teak furniture can often be high, due to the high demand it has for its many benefits. It should be considered an investment into a property, as it will bring aesthetics and maintenance benefits to your home. For this reason, it is best for those looking to settle down at one property rather than to move around a lot, as it is expensive and should be invested into for use throughout the years. If you are simply looking to invest in a property, or you are the type to move around a lot then teak furniture may not be for you due to the high prices.
In summary, teak furniture has many benefits that come with it and can bring something new and beneficial to your home. Its maintenance is very low and requires almost no effort, and is priced in a way that it is considered an investment into your home.