If you’ve been hunting down furniture, you may have become familiar with the timber known as Teak. This well-regarded wood has left a significant mark on the design world and has found its way into numerous home furnishings.

Teak is also a popular material for garden furniture sets, as it has several incredible properties that contribute to its longevity, resistance and undeniable aesthetic appeal. 

In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the qualities of Teak and see how it earned its remarkable reputation.

What is Teak?

Teak is a tropical hardwood tree species native to Eastern and South Eastern Asia and occasionally crops up in Africa and the Caribbean. The trees can grow to an astounding 50 metres high and survive for around 100 years. 

This timber has an abundance of natural oils that help preserve its strength and give it a gorgeous golden-brown hue. These oils will naturally dry over time, changing the colour of the wood to a charming silver-grey colour. 

Aside from its visual appeal, it’s incredibly durable and enjoys a long lifespan. Let us continue to explore Teaks’ unique qualities and why it’s ideal for garden furniture.

Why is Teak a Good Choice for Garden Furniture?

Here are three reasons why Teak wooden garden furniture is a good decision for your outdoor space.

Teak is Hard and Heavy

Teak is a hardwood with a close grain that gives it strength and a sturdy weight – qualities much needed to withstand outdoor environments.

Although, like any wood, Teak will change in shape and texture over time, its tight grain sets it apart. It helps the timber endure temperature variations without falling victim to significant warping or damage. 

Teak is Low-maintenance

Teak outdoor furniture requires minimal effort to maintain. It owes its convenience to its rich natural oils, which give it the following advantages: 

  • Water-resistance: Teak repels water, reducing warping, cracking or becoming extremely brittle.

  • Pest resistance: The oils within Teak act as a deterrent for common insect infestations such as termites and woodworms.

  • Mould resistance: Again, the natural oils help ward off mildew, fungal growth and mould. 

You only need a lint-free cloth and a mild detergent to care for your Teak garden furniture. When contending with particularly stubborn stains, resort to light sanding. 

Teak is Timeless

The previous qualities make Teak garden furniture a wise investment that will last for decades. As well as staying intact, your furniture will remain on trend.

Teak always stays in style and complements your outdoor space's natural environment. Over time, the warm, honeyed tones of your Teak will transition into an elegant silvery-grey hue, adding to its timeless appeal.

This look is so charming that many keep it in this condition. However, if you wish to revive the Teak’s original lustre, apply an appropriate treatment from our range of garden sealers and cleaners. 

Understanding Types of Teak

At Sustainable Furniture, we offer authentic, ethically sourced Teak garden furniture sets. You may have noticed that our Teak products come in different ‘Grades’ or are crafted from "Reclaimed" wood. To ensure you’re well-informed, here’s an explanation of these terms.

Teak Grading

Teak is graded based on which section of the tree it’s from, which impacts the properties of the timber. There are three grades of Teak: A, B and C.

Grade A Teak:

Grade A Teak is premium timber extracted from the tree’s core (the heartwood). This Teak is ideal for outdoor furniture, such as our Grade A Teak tables, as it has the highest content of natural oils.

The oils provide durability, protective qualities, a warm tone and a lustrous sheen. It can generally be left outside untreated and remain strong. 

Grade B Teak:

Grade B Teak is taken from the outer heartwood section of the tree. It still makes fantastic garden furniture but is less resilient than Grade A Teak since it contains fewer natural oils.

Grade C Teak:

Grade C teak comes from the outer part of the tree and has lower oil content, resulting in softer wood and less vibrant colours.

While most manufacturers will irresponsibly discard this material, we use it for our bargain garden furniture sets. Like all our items, we use traditional joinery methods and craftsmanship to bring it up to the best standard. 

Reclaimed Teak 

Reclaimed Teak allows us to utilise existing Teak that's no longer in use. This way, we can still enjoy the beauty of this natural material, while keeping precious resources in circulation.

At Sustainable Furniture, the Teak used in our luxury reclaimed outdoor dining sets is salvaged from old Colonial buildings, giving new purpose to discarded timber and producing one-of-a-kind creations.

Explore More Teak Furniture

If you like Teak for outdoor furniture, you will adore it for your indoor furniture. See how we’ve incorporated Teak into various living and dining room furnishings, plus an exquisite array of home accessories. 

To speak with our team about our range of Teak furniture, message us via our helpful online contact form or call 01726 884123. We’ll be more than happy to assist!