Teak Outdoor Patio Furniture

Are you afraid to buy high-end furniture for outdoor use, such as teak garden furniture, because you are unfamiliar with the material and fear the need for drastic upkeep and maintenance?  What if proper caring for teak was simpler than almost any other substance you can place on your patio?  Would you change your mind and run out and buy it, despite the high price?  If so, hesitate no longer – there are few materials available for your use outdoors that require as little upkeep as teak.

Teak is a very hard wood that grows tall and strong in the southern Asian Pacific region and is quite malleable due to its natural oil production.  Of course, this oil also provides another advantage – it means that your teak outdoor furniture is weather resistant.  In other words, upon purchase, there is no need to worry about oiling or varnishing your furniture to protect it from the elements; it has its own protection built in.  However, this also doesn’t mean it’s completely weatherproof; this is where the small amount of maintenance comes in.

With most outdoor wood furniture, you will have to seal it and varnish it at least every five years to maintain the integrity of the seal against rain, sleet, snow, and other harsh weather.  However, with teak, this is not a necessity.  All you need to do is make sure that, during the deepest part of winter when chill and moisture combined can become quite harsh, your teak patio furniture is stored out of the weather in a garage or other sheltered space to help maintain its natural seal longer.

With other wood furniture, you may have to sand it down vigorously each spring when you bring it back out for the season, sometimes even refinishing or repainting it every year to maintain its “new” look.  However, with teak patio outdoor furniture, you will typically only need a small touch up at the first of the spring, hitting a couple of spots that may have splintered.  Otherwise, no harsh sanding will be needed for years.  Teak is a long-lasting wood that doesn’t deteriorate quickly without cause.  It can literally go for years on end without any major work, unless you let it mold and mildew instead of properly storing it.

Teak furniture is a great investment, especially for someone who doesn’t have or doesn’t want to spend a lot of time on upkeep.  Other wood outdoor furniture may be less expensive, but it won’t last as long and will require a lot more diligence in its maintenance and care.  Weighing out the options, teak is a get it and forget it sort of product that can look great on your patio for decades to come and is well worth the extra expense.