Let's talk Teak

Hello!

Welcome to the second edition of Daryl’s Domain. Once again, I will share some experiences…and perhaps ruffle a few feathers.

Let’s talk TEAK.

For decades, the importers of teak furniture have told us that their furniture could be installed outdoors with no maintenance. The furniture would just “weather to a natural gray”, or words to that effect.

As a result, a generation of designers has come to believe that teak is a magical, mystical material…totally different from any other wood species. It could be used outdoors and would remain “natural” forever.

This, however, is our experience:

The tropical hardwoods commonly used for outdoor furniture are: jatoba, jarrah, ipe, and teak. They have some differences in initial color, density, and oil content, but they share many common characteristics:

• If left unfinished, they will all turn some shade of gray in outdoor exposure.

• If left unfinished, they will all become stained from food or drink spills, bird droppings, and even body oils.

• If left unfinished, checks and cracks will develop due to the cycle of absorbing water and drying out. If the wood is not kiln dried prior to furniture manufacturing, the checking and cracking will be much worse.

• The same cycle of getting wet and drying out will produce grain rise, giving the wood an unpleasant, rough texture.

• In wet climates, or if the furniture is installed under sprinklers, the wood (particularly teak) can show black streaks. This is mineral from the soil, absorbed by the roots and stored in the tree, then brought to the surface by water.

Unfinished wood furniture installed outdoors will, at some point in time, be unpleasant to the eye and uncomfortable to the touch. This is normal and “natural”.

Because we have experienced these common characteristics, we tell our clients that if they want the natural warmth and beauty of hardwood furniture, they need to have a finish applied at the factory and then commit to an annual maintenance program. If they cannot do this, we recommend they buy metal furniture.

As always, your comments are requested and appreciated.

Daryl Braun


P.S. There are many choices of finishes for outdoor wood furniture, from penetrating sealers to clear top coatings….but that’s a topic for another Daryl’s Domain.