Tuesday, March 20, 2012

What is a Teak?

By Vicky Portee


Teak is a Durable Material for Outdoor Furniture

Tectona grandis, more commonly known as teak, is one of the most popular materials in modern outdoor furniture design. Teak is resistant to almost all harsh elements, including extreme heat and cold, precipitation, and even termites. In addition to being extremely tough, many people find teak to be one of the most gorgeous wood options available for outdoor furnishings. Teak is a dark, amber hue and ages incredibly well.

Teak has been used for outdoor furniture for well over a century, though it has become trendy again in the past few years. It is not rare to find 100-year-old park benches and various other outdoor structures made out of teak, particularly in European countries. Even shipbuilders preferred to create boats out of teak instead of other, more easily attained, woods. Teak, however, never rotted, even after it was adhered to metal.

Modern outdoor furniture takes full advantage of teak's durability. Many outdoor furniture styles feature a striking marriage of teak and metal as designers are inspired by old shipbuilders. Outdoor furniture styles featuring teak with either steel, aluminum, or wrought iron are consistently growing in popularity. Generally, teak and metal furniture showcases clean lines and sharp edges, which gives it a contemporary appeal. If, however, you are looking for a more classic look, you can find teak outdoor furniture in any style.

It will pay-off to be discerning when you buy teak furniture. Teak wood must be dried in kilns prior to being used in furniture, and some discount companies rush the process and do not properly dry the wood. While you may not initially see a problem with these cheaper pieces, they will likely warp or crack after being used for just a few years.

It will behoove you to do in-depth research and buy your new teak furnishings from an established manufacturer in lieu of a discount company. By checking into the company's history, you will be certain to buy the best teak furniture available. While you may pay more up-front, it is worth buying the best teak furniture available because it will endure daily use for decades to come.

Though teak does not necessitate much upkeep, there are a few things you can do to keep your teak furniture in top-notch condition. You should, for example, wash your teak pieces from time to time in order to remove any dirt that may have accumulated. Also, if you want to prevent your furniture from turning a silver color, teak require occasional re-oiling. If you have neglected to re-oil your teak furniture for several years, there are a number of teak restorers that you can buy in order to revive your furniture's original hue.




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