The Secret to Long-Lasting Garden Furniture: Why Teak Stands the Test of Time

No one wants the hassle or expense of replacing their garden furniture every five minutes. So investing in durable, weather-resistant items from the outset invariably pays off.

And given that the initial outlay can be significant, you’ll want to ensure you’re spending your money wisely. Metal furniture can rust, particularly if you live in a coastal area with high salt exposure, and some softwoods may warp or swell if you don’t look after them properly. Meanwhile, many lower quality materials require frequent oiling, cleaning or covering, particularly during the colder months, which can make the maintenance regime feel more onerous.

Teak, however, is known for its astounding durability, and it has the potential to last for decades even in the harshest weather conditions. (After all it was previously used in shipbuilding.) This hardwood is also renowned for needing minimal upkeep to stay looking its glorious best. Here, we take a look at why this is the case, particularly if you opt for the best-quality heartwood like that used in Chic Teak garden furniture:

·         Naturally high oil content: Teak contains high levels of natural oils and rubber, which serve as a natural preservative and water repellent, while also providing resistance to UV rays. (Which is why you can leave teak pieces outside for prolonged periods, even in the rain.) While other woods may rot, warp or crack, teak’s oils prevent water from being absorbed, and this is a key reason why it lasts much longer than some of the alternatives. Plus you don’t need to treat teak with sealants or preservatives, as you do many other types of timber.

·         A tight grain: Teak’s structure is dense and closely grained, another reason behind its astonishing strength and stability. Because of this dense grain in its higher-quality grades, teak can withstand variations in temperature and resist damage from wear and tear.

·         Resistance to pests: Again due to its natural oils, teak is able to ward off infestations of pests including wood-boring insects and fungi, and this is another reason why it’s so well suited to outdoor use.

·         Silica content: This again contributes to teak’s remarkable resilience and strength. Equally, teak also contains tectoquinone, a natural pesticide.

Long-lasting, beautiful garden furniture from Chic Teak 

At Chic Teak, we source our wood directly from just three long serving, trusted and fully vetted Indonesian suppliers, without middlemen or brokers. So we only work with those we know well.

We use exclusively Grade A heartwood teak, which comes from the centre of the tree and has a particularly high oil content. The wood selected for use in our furniture is free from knots and other imperfections, meaning you don’t need to treat it. Just a duster brings these oils to the surface and produces a lovely shine – you don’t need any products.

While some competitors use lower-grade wood, and even attempt to pass it off as being of a higher quality than it actually is, we insist on superior, Grade A teak for everything we make, to maximise longevity and durability.

Browse online and view our garden dining sets, chairs, tables, benches, sun loungers and more. You can also see, touch and even smell our pieces for yourself in our Hampshire showroom – book your appointment today.

Got a question to ask us? Get in touch and we’ll be delighted to help.