Teak, a tree native to Southeast Asia, is highly
prized for its strength, durability, and long-term material
stability in extreme weather conditions. These special
characteristics make teak perfectly suited for outdoors use.
Historically, teak has been used extensively for shipbuilding for
several centuries. Even today, custom yacht and ship builders still
use teak extensively because of these unique qualities.
Teak is a very hard, heavy, and strong wood with a very high natural
oil content. This distinctive oil content acts as a natural
preservative which makes teak highly resistant to rot, insects,
termites, fungus, and moisture that will quickly damage other types
of timber. As a result, teak furniture is best left in its natural
state by finely sanding the surfaces to a smooth velvety finish.
Over time, the wood will take on a silvery-gray color from exposure
to the outdoor elements. This process could take several months, but
the overall quality and durability will not be affected by this
aging process. Teak
is a natural wood product, and will absorb and release moisture as
weather condition changes. As the wood ages, a few small cracks and
checks may occur on the wood. This is not a defect and is considered
part of the normal weathering process and has no affect on the
integrity of the furniture. |