How to identify premium-quality teak: a buyer’s guide
There are many reasons why teak makes such a good choice for outdoor furniture.
It’s very low-maintenance for a start, always looks amazing and can stay outside in all weathers for prolonged periods, thanks to its naturally high oil content, which just shrugs off moisture. Plus, it regulates its temperature, making it consistently warm to the touch. Source it ethically from responsibly managed forests, and it can also be a more sustainable option than you may have realised.
Finally, and arguably most importantly, it just looks so stylish and elegant. Over time, its golden tones develop a rich, silvery patina, which is every bit as smart-looking as the original hue.
Which teak is of the best quality?
Grade A teak comes from the heartwood of the tree and is generally considered this material’s best quality. It’s particularly durable, rich in colour and resistant to rot and the elements due to its high oil content.
It’s taken from the centre of the tree (hence the name heartwood) and is denser and more durable than the outer layers. It comes from the trunk’s dense central core and comprises older, inactive wood cells.
How can you tell Grade A heartwood from the lower-quality alternatives?
Some manufacturers use cheaper sapwood and lower-grade teak from the outer part of the tree, which is not as high quality and contains knots, sap and bark. These varieties can start to rot after just two or three years due to the lack of natural oils which heartwood has. Furniture built from Grade A teak can potentially last for decades.
At the same time, lower-grade teak has knots and other defects and may contain a blend of different grades of wood. In some cases, it may be covered with a grey paint or stained to make it look better or mask imperfections.
Look out for the following:
Colour and appearance
Grade A teak has a consistent, golden-brown colour, which many call honey-coloured. The surface may look smooth and glossy, plus this type of teak may feel oily when you touch it, due to its high oil content. Cheaper versions may have a lighter, yellow-brown hue and a dull appearance.
Grains and knots
With Grade A teak, there is a close, tight pattern. With lower-grade versions, the grain may be uneven and less tight, and you will probably see more knots.
Weight
While the best-quality teak is heavy and dense thanks to its tight grain and high oil content, cheaper versions are typically lighter.
Silica testing
Real teak has silica, which wards off mould, mildew and bacteria as well as insects. Some manufacturers test for this.
Chic Teak: The highest-quality hardwood in all our products
At Chic Teak, we’ve worked closely with our suppliers for two decades, so we know them well. We only use Grade A heartwood teak in our furniture, and believe it’s this that sets us apart from the competition.
What’s more, we source our wood responsibly from mature trees with large central cores of Grade A teak. Although Grade A teak can contain knots and imperfections, our Suppliers ensure that this wood is not used in the production of our furniture.
We also set ourselves apart by only using the best-quality joints in our furniture, thus addressing a common weakness in cheaper alternatives. They’re meticulously machined for a perfect fit to help keep water out. And by combining modern machinery with traditional methods, we achieve a long-lasting, high-quality finish on all our pieces.
Finally, our supplier dries the wood to achieve a moisture content of less than 14%, making it suitable for the UK climate.
We only sell the best garden furniture, and everything is hand-finished by skilled craftsmen and assembled in-house. Whether you’re after dining sets, tables, chairs, benches, sun loungers or anything else, make us your first port of call.
Browse our website, or book an appointment to visit our showroom near Basingstoke. Still got questions? Email sales@chicteak.co.uk or call 01256 398008.