Teak is a popular wood with furniture makers and buyers across the world. Once heavily used, the deforestation of teak is now strictly controlled to ensure a continued and rejuvenated supply of wood. What is it that makes teak so desirable?
1. StrengthThe origin of teak patio furniture is interesting and comes to us from the other side of the world. Grown in the monsoon forests of Southeast Asia in low density areas of approximately one to five trees per acre, teak has been used as a building material since the 7th century, but it was not until the 19th century when it came to be considered for furniture. Before that, teak was an ideal choice for shipbuilders because of its resistance to saltwater and flexibility. In Europe, some park benches are made from repurposed teak ship decks that are over a century old. The first teak plantation appeared in Burma in 1856. Around that time, it became popular for use in India, from where it traveled to Victorian England. There, not only was teak outdoor furniture a tremendous hit, it also became a symbol of beautiful English country gardens. These days, teak is also grown in Central and South America where the climate is comparable, but in its native Southeastern Asia, the wood is still transported by elephant. Most other logging companies transport tree trunks by waterway, but teak logs are too heavy for that.The varied structures and sizes of the garden furniture sets aptly suit the needs and tastes of people in large numbers. These are available in affordable prices and hence people who have a passion for sophistication mixed with aristocracy can buy such items without giving a second thought. Some of the types of garden furniture sets are Garden Furniture Bench, Lawn Garden Furniture, Outdoor Garden Furniture etc. Last but not the least, these furniture sets add to the beauty of the garden and also serves as an ideal place for short leisure duration.Let�s start with the basics. Teak goes by a number of names. The Latin term for it is Tectona Grandis. In its native Indonesia, it is also called Jati, as well as Thekku in the Tamil language. This perennial grower is a tropical hardwood birch in the family Verbenaceae. Its handsome coloration ranges from straw-colored, to amber, to a rich brownish-red. The trees can grow up to 30 to 40 meters high and live to around 100 years old. As far as durability, teak is classified as a Class 1, meaning it is one of the strongest woods around. As a point of reference, American Oak is Class 2, while Western Red Cedar is a Class 3 hardwood.As a final note, since teak is so great but rather pricey, lots of companies try to capitalize on selling it without being completely honest. For potential buyers, exhibit caution and ask lots of questions about what you�re interested in. Be aware that not all furniture that in some way or other claims to be teak is actually authentic teak furniture. For example, anything that says it is �teak oiled wood furniture� is simply some other wood that has been coated with natural teak oils. Also, a product that claims to be �teak-like� is obviously not teak, while a product that says it is �stronger than teak� is an outright lie. There really isn�t any wood stronger than teak; only synthetic materials or metal can make that claim.
The natural benefits of teak; strength, durability, warm colour, resistance to termites or other damaging elements, make it an extremely adaptable wood. Its water-resistant properties and tendency not to splinter easily made it a favourite for shipbuilders for hundreds of years and it has since been used for a wide range of both indoor and outdoor furniture. From large dining room tables to elegant cabinets and patio furniture, teak has the flexibility that many furniture makers are looking for today.
Author: Napton Teaks
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