Care of Teak Outdoor Furniture
Teak furniture is a both a lovely and durable tropical hardwood. It is also one of the most prized and highly sought types of wood on the market today. Teak has few knots and is very water resistant so that it doesn’t warp easily. This resistance to humidity is one of the things that make this such a highly prized material for making furniture in coastal areas on all sides of the ocean.
In addition to being a great material for furniture as the result of teaks unique water resistant nature, it is also great because of its ability to withstand cold temperature. Keep in mind that teak was once the wood of choice for shipbuilding in Nordic regions. It continues to be the most sought after wood for building and accenting yachts today.
Teak is unique among wood (or relatively unique) because of its natural resistance to termite damage as well. This resistance alone makes teak an excellent investment, particularly for outdoor furniture.
Teak also has a very distinctive look that is quite lovely for furniture making. The grain of teak has a very fluid appearance and is never even. The appearance of the grain is quite flattering to furniture that is designed with the intention of looking curved. Teak also ages very graceful making it a practical long-term investment as its value and appeal increase with time.
There are no special treatments involved with maintaining teak. The major thing to keep in mind is that if you are leaving it outside it helps to oil the furniture twice a year in order to keep it in tip top condition. Teak oil is readily available in most hardware stores. If you want your teak furniture to keep its rich color longer, you should oil it more often. If your teak furniture does take on a gray or silvery tone you can bring it back to life with a soft brush, soap, and water.
It is a good idea however to insure that your teak furniture is nice and dry before using oil. If you use the oil while the furniture is wet, it will trap the moisture in the wood and mildew will begin to form. A good rule of thumb is to allow two full days after a rain or a soaking with a hose for the furniture to dry. It is also wise to clear the teak of dirt, dust, and debris before oiling as well. You can do this quite easily by dusting it off with a dry paintbrush.
To avoid ruining the teak or the finish, be sure to use teak oil when oiling your furniture. If you can’t find it in your local home improvement stores, try finding it in marine or boating supply stores.