Outdoor teak furniture is very popular because of its natural appeal. It has its own weathered look that is unique and pleasing to the eye. But its natural beauty is not the only thing that sets outdoor teak furniture apart. Teak is one of the most durable, if not the most durable hardwood available. Natural oils that are inherent to the wood that guard against the hazards of the rainforest gives teak its built in defense against insects, rot and the harsh changing weather conditions.
Outdoor teak furniture is costlier than other hardwood varieties like redwood, cedar or oak but its resilience makes it worth the price.
New teak furniture has a bright honey color that slowly turns to a shiny silver gray hue when left outdoors. That gray color is what gives teak color its weather beaten look and appeal. Left untreated for a long time, it will be hard to reverse to its original honey color.
The change in color has no effect on the sturdiness of outdoor teak furniture, but you have to decide if you like the new honey color look, or prefer the nostalgic appeal of silver gray.
You could use teak protector or teak oil if you want to maintain the original honey color of your outdoor teak furniture. However, you should be aware that this will be an expensive, tedious and often repeated process. The protection will only last for a single season and the teak oil treatment will have to be repeated every three months. Furniture experts also believe that the oil causes uneven coloration and mildew growth.
It takes about nine months for the natural graying process to take complete effect. If the natural weathered look is more to your liking, periodic cleaning is the only maintenance required on your outdoor teak furniture.
A blend of 25% bleach with gentle detergent mixed with 75% water is best for your cleaning purposes. A soft brush can be used to remove dirt. The outdoor teak furniture should be adequately rinsed to remove all dirt and any remaining cleaning solution. Using a high pressure washer can cause damage and is therefore not recommended. It used to be impossible to return to the original honey color once the browning process has completely set in, but teak cleaners are now available to restore your outdoor teak furniture without too much hard scrubbing.
The natural oil inherent on teak wood prevents paints and stains from adhering to the wood. But if you would like to stain or paint your teak furniture, you should ask for expert advice on what you can use.
Some people leave their teak furniture outside all the time while others prefer to transfer them indoors during severe weather conditions.
Just be sure that pools of water are not left to accumulate on the furniture make sure that it is not left to stay on soggy ground. There is no need to worry about warping, shrinking or swelling because teak’s natural oil makes it resistant to those problems.
Natural beauty and durability is what sets outdoor teak furniture apart. Given the right care it deserves, your teak furniture will reward you with long years of service.