Teak Talk (Time to Buy Outdoor Furniture?)

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Mal Haddad

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The type of furniture you pick for your patio or deck sets the overall tone for your outdoor room.

More and more Americans are discovering the true joys of outdoor living, spending quality time with family and friends outside, playing on the grass, harvesting from the vegetable garden and dining on the patio. These days, a back yard isn’t “just a back yard” – it’s an extension of your living space.

It only makes sense, then, that the furniture used to decorate your “outdoor room” is as beautiful and comfortable as it is functional. After all, you wouldn’t buy an ugly, stiff couch for the family room – why should your patio or deck be any different?

Similar to indoor furniture, outdoor tables and chairs are intended to be used and enjoyed. And they’re not only functional – they help set the tone for your entire outdoor living experience. Homeowners are no longer limited to the usual picnic table standbys. Today’s outdoor furniture options range from classic designs to the more modern, and from simple to elaborate. And the types of materials they’re made from range greatly as well.

One of the more popular materials for outdoor furniture is teak. Known for its resistance against natural conditions, this wood is practically impervious to the effects of snow, ice, rain, sun, heat, cold and humidity. No matter how harsh your winters or stifling your summers, you’ll find that teak can handle the weather – it simply won’t degrade like other woods.

If you start comparison shopping for teak furniture, you’ll notice that the selection is as far-ranging as its prices. Many consumers often wonder why the price difference is so huge for products that look so similar. The difference is in quality. And like with most products, when it comes to teak, you get what you pay for.

If you’re in the market for some new outdoor furniture and you’re considering teak, check for the following pertinent factors in construction to be sure you’ve found a quality product:

High-quality wood. Like genuine leather, there are varying qualities of teak. Much of the lumber used in the “cottage industry” of Indonesia, for example, is of secondary quality that may include sapwood. Select a manufacturer that only uses premium grade, 100 percent Tectona grandis (common teak). High-quality teak characteristics include straight grain structure; an absence of knots, splits or cracks; and an even color tone.

Warnings

“Handmade” is not synonymous with “quality.” While a handmade product may suggest quality and tradition, without the proper tools and raw materials, quality can sometimes be compromised. When you buy wood furniture, ask where the materials came from. If the wood is from sustainably harvested, well-managed and credibly certified forests, then you’re most likely buying a true “quality” product.

Tips

Two other important features to consider in outdoor furniture are the hardware and finish. Look for hardware material that shouldn’t rust over time. (Brass and stainless steel are good, durable options.) Tables and chairs that are given a nice, quality finish have been well-sanded and are almost smooth-as-silk to the touch.

Resources

Westminster Teak purchases wood only from a government-managed plantation whose primary mission is to eliminate illegal logging and improve the management of threatened forests. It also works to promote biodiversity and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.
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We’d love to see your outdoor living area. Share how you’ve decorated your “outdoor room” with our Learn2Grow community and post pictures in our forums.
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