10 Best Teak Outdoor Furniture and Buying Guide
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Top Rated Teak Outdoor Furniture
Teak Outdoor Furniture Buying Guide
When you first look at teak outdoor furniture, it might look like every other piece. However, teak is anything but regular and ordinary. Besides being more durable than most outdoor furniture, teak furniture can make your outdoor space lush. It has a natural aesthetic that adds to the beauty and elegance of an outdoor area. However, choosing the best teak outdoor furniture might be challenging. This is because there are different grades and types available. So, you might choose the one that will not last long. To help you in this process, here is the only guide you need to select the right teak furniture for your outdoor area.
Why You Should Invest in Teak Outdoor Furniture?
As earlier stated, teak outdoor furniture is unique. It is a piece of furniture every outdoor space should have. And you would enjoy several benefits when you invest in teak outdoor furniture. Here are some of them.
They Are Durable
Most people will only invest in quality furniture that will last longer and remain in good condition for several years. Outdoor furniture is even more challenging to choose because it will be exposed to different weather conditions.
Teak outdoor furniture helps to solve this concern. It is one of the world’s most sturdy and durable outdoor furniture. It’s also been the preferred wood for building boats for over 2,000 years. So, you don’t have to worry about its sturdiness.
The high oil content, tight grain, and tensile strength of teak outdoor furniture make it resistant to weather. It will easily withstand any weather, making it the best choice for all climates.
They Add Luxury And Warmth to Your Outdoor Area
Although teak outdoor furniture is more expensive than most outdoor furniture, numerous people prefer it. And the reason is simple. Some grades come with glossy finishes. They will help to add extra luxury to your porch and patio. Teak outdoor furniture is also beautiful. To enhance your outdoor space and make it more inviting, you should consider teak outdoor furniture.
They Do Not Require Treatment
Numerous outdoor furniture requires you to maintain and treat them if you want them to maintain their quality for several years. But this does not apply to teak outdoor furniture. Quality teak furniture comes with a ‘warm honey color”. And after you have used it for a while, it changes to a silvery gray patina. This color is just as attractive as the original color.
If you prefer the warm honey color, there are teak sealers that you can use to maintain the original color of your teak outdoor furniture. However, most homeowners do not use teak sealers because they love the silvery gray patina color as much as the actual color. So, you may also not need teak sealers, so you might not treat your teak furniture.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Teak Outdoor Furniture
Although teak outdoor furniture is an excellent investment for your patio, backyard, and garden, you must consider some crucial factors. These factors will help you choose suitable teak outdoor furniture for your outdoor space. Here are some of them.
Grade A, Grade B, or Grade C; Which Grade of Teak is Best?
There are three grades of teak outdoor furniture. And they offer different functionalities. The grade of your teak outdoor furniture will determine how durable and sturdy it will be. Let’s look into the three of them to know the one that would fit your needs.
Grade A Teaks: this means using the teak timber’s mature heartwood part. Grade A teaks typically come with similar ‘warm honey’ colors. They are significantly dense, oily, closely grained, and have high protective oil content. Also, this grade usually means different things to different brands. For example, grade A teaks from Indonesian plantations have distinct curvy grains, while grade A teaks from Burmese usually come with straight grains. Grade A teaks are far more expensive than other grades of teaks because they are usually 20 to 25% of mature logs. They can even be twelve times more expensive than grade C teaks. Grade A teaks are considerably strong and are resistant to several elements. They can easily last a generation if appropriately maintained.
Grade B Teaks: this grade also uses the teak timber’s heartwood, but they are semi-mature, not fully mature like a grade A teak. Grade B teaks have more significant variations and lighter colors than grade A teaks. They also come with uneven grain that shines less when sanded. Grade B teaks are usually around 25 to 35% mature teak wood. They also have less protective oil content, unlike grade A teaks.
Grade C Teaks: they are made from sapwoods from the log’s outer parts, which is the tree’s living section. The tree uses sapwoods to convey minerals and water to other parts of the tree. Sapwoods are way softer than heartwoods. They have significant color contrast, are patchy, and will quickly get damaged. They also have high water content and zero protective oils. They also allow large knots, which make and are considered inferior wood to use for furniture. Grade C teaks are typically 100% immature logs and 40 to 50% mature logs. They are, however, cheap to buy because of their limited practicality. They are not ideal for indoor use but will work well for outdoor furniture. So, some manufacturers use them to make outdoor furniture. You must confirm from the manufacturer if you can use this grade in your outdoor area.
Choose The Type of Teak Outdoor Furniture That Suit Your Outdoor Area Amd Preferences
The teak furniture you choose for your outdoor space must fit your area and preferences. Here are the three types of teak outdoor furniture to get you started.
Fully Made Machine Teak Furniture: they are typically more expensive to make than other types of teak outdoor furniture. This is because of the investment in technology, strict procedures, machinery, and training. The contact between the woods to each other is seamless and perfect. Machines are used to make the components and joints fit accurately, thereby guaranteeing durability and longevity. The ideal fit of teak woods also ensures the strength of the furniture is from the mortise and tenon joints instead of the glue that holds them together. This type of teak outdoor furniture is made from start to finish using machines.
Semi-Machine Teak Furniture: these pieces of furniture are made using machines and tools that are hand powered in a factory. The components of semi-machine teak outdoor furniture are coupled together with hands. The result of this outdoor furniture usually depends on the worker’s experience, training, and skills. However, it is tough to forecast the quality of semi-machine teak outdoor furniture because of the massive turnover of workers in facilities.
Homemade Teak Outdoor Furniture: they are the cheapest teak outdoor furniture. This is because the production costs are lower than other types of teak outdoor furniture. Workers and carpenters usually make them in their homes. However, their qualities are inconsistent because they do not employ quality control processes. And the teak wood they use is not usually standard, unlike teaks from sustainable and responsibly managed plantations. However, if you are under a budget and don’t want to spend much, this teak outdoor furniture might work for you.
Always Avoid Chemically Treated Teaks
When choosing teak furniture for your outdoor area, you must avoid teaks that have been treated with chemicals. This is how many manufacturers deceive their customers into thinking they are purchasing grade A teaks.
Some teak woods are treated with Sulfuric acids (H2SO4), a toxic acid. The primary function of this chemical is to ensure the patchy look of low-quality teak is evened out. This chemical is significantly hazardous. And particles from sanding can cause severe respiratory issues and mild external and internal burns. It is also incredibly harmful to pregnant women.
Another popular toxic acid used to treat teak is hydrogen peroxide (H202). This chemical also clocks the looks of low-grade teak. It will also cause the wood to dry, leading to brittleness, weakening wood, and eliminating the natural oil content.
To spot these teaks treated with chemicals, look out for questionably dark-colored teaks. If you know that the teak has been treated with chemicals, beware of those without grain. Also, if both sides of teak furniture have similar colors, it is highly likely to be treated with chemicals.
Unfortunately, numerous manufacturers use these teaks treated with chemicals to make their teak outdoor furniture. This is why you must avoid buying these teaks using the tips given.
Final Thoughts
Among woods, teak holds the position gold maintains among metals and diamonds with precious stones. They are luxurious and beautiful. Teak outdoor furniture will make your outdoor space more appealing while delivering functionality. With this article, you now know the factors to look out for when buying teak furniture for your outdoor area. If you follow this ultimate guide, you will have no problem choosing the right teak outdoor furniture.
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