Add A Teak Bench or Teak Chaise To Your Outdoor Dining Area

If you are considering purchasing teak garden furniture, you should know that you are buying beautiful and durable furniture that can last for a century or more. Furniture has been made from teak for hundreds of years and it is also used quite frequently in ships and other nautical applications because it is so water resistant. This makes it much less likely to rot when exposed to the environment.

Teak is a hardwood which is very resistant to rot and pests. Its close, dense grain and high resin content makes it difficult for water to penetrate the wood, which can lead to rotting and disintegration. There is actually silica which naturally occurs in the wood and this helps prevent rotting, mould and insects from getting into the wood and destroying it.

Most teak is grown in areas such as Burma, Indonesia, Thailand and Laos. Originally, all teak furniture was made from wild trees and this caused problems with deforestation. Now, however, teak plantations have been regulated by government agencies and much of the teak used in furniture comes from these plantations. The one main problem with teak is that it takes in the neighborhood of fifty years to grow and this is part of what makes it so expensive to purchase.

You want to make sure that the teak furniture you are purchasing is made from wood that is at least fifty years of age. This is because wood which is younger is not as durable as older wood. You want to make sure that the furniture you are purchasing is made from teak and not other woods which are marketed as “teak-like”. If you do purchase furniture made from teak, you will find that unlike other furniture you do not need to cover it or put it under shelter if bad weather is occurring.

You should expect that your teak garden furniture will age and turn a silver gray color. This is because this is the natural aging process of the wood. There may be natural imperfections in the wood as well, but that is also a natural part of teak wood. However, you should look for imperfections which do not affect the strength of the furniture’s structure.

You want to make sure that furniture you are getting is made from teak wood, and not simply treated with teak oil. You can find genuine teak furniture in most upscale garden centers, although there is the chance that they may be masquerading inferior furniture as teak, or calling it “teak-like”. Don’t be fooled, since any other wood will not be as durable as furniture made from the real material.

You can either purchase furniture that is made from new teak wood or you can also look for furniture that is made from recycled wood. Many environmentalists fear that because teak takes so long to grow it can lead to the illegal harvesting of wood from forests. This can cause problems due to deforestation and habitat loss. The good thing about teak is that it can last over a hundred years and so this can mean you are not reinvesting in new furniture every few years. If you do want to make sure that you are not getting wood that has been harvested illegally, look for reputable dealers that can prove where their furniture has come from.

Teak garden furniture can be a wonderful and beautiful addition to your outdoor living space. Its long lifespan and quality construction give any garden a touch of beauty and classic elegance.

There’s real beauty in teak garden furniture that can enhance the ambience of any garden or outdoor dining area. Get my free tips on finding the perfect teak outdoor furniture set for your garden.