A Complete Guide For

Teak Furniture

Teak is one of the most luxurious, rich woods available in home furniture

and gives off a special look and feel to a modern, chic home. Teak is well

known for its durability and natural weather resistance which makes this

beautiful hardwood the perfect furniture choice for indoor as well as

outdoor use. It also has a special grain and colour which makes it totally

different from other woods. So to find out more about this awesome wood

read this guide.

BY VC LIVING

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Teak is a south East Asian wood that has been known for centuries as one of the most durable woods

for many conditions. The Dutch made their ships out of it because of its natural waterproofing and dry

rot resistance. Maybe it is for this reason alone that the price of teak furniture is costly compared to

other woods, but if treated well, teak furniture can last literally a lifetime, compared to a few years with

other woods. So here is a guide which will help you to identify the real teak wood furniture, decorate

your house with it and tell you how to take care of it.

IDENTIFYING REAL TEAK WOOD FURNITURE

There are often two types of teak available that vary in quality and weather proofing abilities. There is

the wood from the centre of the teak tree which is called the heart, and the wood from the outer layers

of the tree which is known as sap wood. The sap wood is less weather proof than that of the heart wood

teak, as the inner layers of the teak tree will retain more oils and rubber than the outer layers.

As some teak furniture is more expensive than others, you will want to identify the best teak available

before you purchase.

When the teak is brand new, it will give off a rich honey colour which after being outside a while will

gradually change to a silvery grey colour. This is a natural process as it is a natural product, so don’t

worry about the wood rotting or going bad.

The sap wood variant of teak will be a yellowish white colour compared to the heart wood golden

brown. The colour may also depend on the species of the wood and where it came from as Burmese

teak has the rich golden hue that it is famous for. Other heartwood teak has a browner colour.

Teak wood also has a unique ingrained fingerprint which is different from other woods. The grain of

teak is a simpler identifier to spot as the grain is often the result of the cutting method used in production.

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Teak is often cut in the same direction to give the best lengths of wood from a single tree. The grains

found in teak are often the result of plain sawing, which makes for very long grains, or straight grains

along the wood.

These grains are one of the most notable features in teak, so along with the honey-brown colour, look

for the long or straight grain pattern and you will be able to identify your teak amongst other similarly-

coloured woods.

DECORATING YOUR HOUSE WITH TEAK FURNITURE

Teak furniture is a popular choice amongst those who like to enjoy a slice of outdoor living. With its

unmistakable colour and grain finish, teak really sets the bar high when it comes to high class outdoor

living spaces. Choosing the right type of teak furniture to place on your patio or pergola is up to you,

but it’s also worth thinking about where you place your outdoor furniture and how it can affect the

look and feel of your living space.

CHOOSE A TEAK BENCH FOR ROMANTIC LUNCHES

One of the great additions you can make to your outside living area is with a natural teak

outdoor bench. Perfect for those summer days when all you want to do is go outside, enjoy the

sun and read a book with a nice glass of wine. A bench is a great addition - especially for

couples and allows for a comfortable area to enjoy a breath of fresh air.

Multiple benches are a great addition to anyone who likes to invite guests, or enjoys a fine

barbeque or two. Matching teak outdoor benches can be picked up at some of the better outdoor

living furniture shops for a decent price, and considering their hard-wearing nature, teak

benches make for a great conversation area in the garden.

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EXPAND YOUR GARDEN INTO AN OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

Teak outdoor furniture on the whole is a great choice for anyone wishing to expand their garden

into a more homely and habitable area around their house. If you have a large patio, arrange

your teak benches, tables or chairs around a talking point to make it a cosy affair when it comes

to inviting guests over.

If you have a pergola in your garden, teak makes for a great addition to create a beautifully

romantic living area in your garden that you can enjoy for years to come. With the addition of

a few romantic lights, candles and some music, you can turn your garden into a sophisticated

evening soiree location to entertain your guests, or create a luxury romantic evening for two.

Teak furniture benefits from being a relatively neutral colour, which makes it suitable for

placement in most gardens. With shrubbery and greenery surrounding your outdoor living

space, a great teak bench or teak chair set will look great no matter what the weather feels like.

TEAK HARMONISES WITH RHYTHM AND HUES

Matching your outdoor teak furniture to the décor of your home couldn’t be easier. As long as

you don’t choose a harsh colour, or a colour that is too bright, teak will look great with just

about any colour scheme. Of course, high quality wood furniture will look great in its natural

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surroundings, so aim for a hue that reflects the natural aspect of the wood. Think neutral greys,

rich reds and lighter colours to harmonise your garden in style.

Teak outdoor furniture of high quality is made to endure the elements, shine in the sun and

create a unique and cosy environment for your family in the least used space on your property:

the garden. Create a focus point in your garden to highlight the best areas and you too can start

to benefit from outdoor living in both style and comfort.

MAINTAINING TEAK WOOD FURNITURE

Often considered an eco-friendly timber, teak outdoor furniture can last up to 70 years if cared for

properly. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can ensure, you get the longest life out of your teak

wood furniture.

COVER WHEN NOT IN USE

This is fairly self-explanatory. The best way to protect your teak furniture from sun and water

damage when you’re not using it is to cover it with a tarp or canvas, ideally one that is

waterproof. If you aren’t able to purchase one at the time of purchase, they can be bought quite

cheaply online.

In off-seasons when you aren’t using the outdoor furniture at all – winter, for example – it’s

probably best to move the furniture indoors if you have a shed or garage.

SCRUBBING AS NEEDED

It’s only natural that furniture accumulates grim and dirt with continued use. In the case of

teak, it’s best to clean on a regular basis or as needed. Ignoring this can lead to mould and can

also give the furniture a more weathered appearance, which ultimately reduces its life.

The most effective method of cleaning is by using a mixture of laundry detergent, bleach and

water and scrubbing.

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COLOUR RESTORATION

Despite being one of the most durable timbers on the market, natural discolouration take place

to teak as it usually develops a grey shade over time. This does not affect the longevity of the

wood and is purely cosmetic. Teak oil can be effective in reducing the speed of this process,

however some find that applying this regularly can reduce the effectiveness of natural oils in

the wood and can create an over-reliance on teak oil.

Teak brightening and sealing products can be helpful in restoring the honey colour we associate

with this marvellous timber. Often this product is also marketed as ‘teak cleaner’. Basically, it

helps protect the wood from overexposure to oxygen and UV rays from the sun for up to a year.

DEAL WITH STAINS PROMPTLY AND PROPERLY

Food stains are never fun. Whether it’s red wine, chocolate or coffee, failing to act soon enough

can lead to a permanent mark, so it’s generally a pressure situation when this happens. In the

case of teak furniture, one of the best ways to deal with such stains is the scrub brush method,

but remember to act as quickly as possible! Failing to do so can be costly. There are also

products made specifically for wood stains, available at your local hardware store.

Resource: https://vcliving.wordpress.com

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