Here at Ottena, we do not think there are really any downsides to choosing solid teak garden furniture, but we always like to be clear about the pros and cons of this quite spectacular timber. So, in this latest blog, we will take a look at the potential disadvantages of teak wood and discuss what you may encounter throughout the life of your teak patio furniture.
Being somewhat biased, we would always sing teak’s praises and believe it to be the best material for your outdoor garden furniture (and now for our new indoor furniture range!), but everyone is entitled to an opinion and to also have a favourite. Teak is certainly ours! Let’s take a look at some of the possible disadvantages of this beautiful timber, so you know what you are getting yourself in for.
Probably the one that stands out for most of us is the cost. Teak can only flourish in particular climates. It is generally native to Southeast Asia and certain other tropical regions of the world. This already makes it an expensive material, just purely down to the number of miles it will have to travel to make it into your garden. Once we place an order with our manufacturer in Indonesia, it takes that order approximately 40 days to get to us via container ship, but that is only part of the journey. Manufacturing is a skilled profession which will also add to the costing of your teak garden chair.
Maintenance can be an issue if you wish to maintain the honey colour that teak possesses. Regular cleaning and oiling or sealing will need to be undertaken to ensure this finish is maintained and protected. However, the beauty of teak is that this is purely a personal choice and if left to weather, your teak patio furniture will naturally transition into that beautiful silver-grey patina. This process has absolutely no effect on the durability or strength of your teak garden bench. Some people actually prefer this patina!
Caution also needs to be taken to ensure that the teak is only ever sourced from sustainable plantations. Here at Ottena, our manufacturer only ever sources its teak from managed Javanese plantations. Strict laws are in place in accordance with SVLK certification to ensure legal and ethical forest. All of our teak garden furniture is also certified Indonesian Legal Wood. Any teak furniture products that have not been sourced or certified in accordance with these practices cannot be exported.
Teak is a very dense hardwood so, if left in direct sunlight, your teak outdoor furniture may heat up in comparison to other timber products. This will not be as severe as metal garden furniture, but may be more noticeable compared to plastic or cheaper timber garden furniture.
Finally, due to teak being high in its own natural oils and high in silica, it can make it hard on tools and it can become awkward for gluing. This is something you will not need to worry about with our range of teak garden furniture, as it has already been manufactured to a high standard using traditional joinery methods. All you will need to do in some cases is carry out some light assembly to your teak furniture prior to use. This is usually completed with either stainless steel bolts or wooden dowels. This is a very straightforward process and not an issue when it comes to our solid teak garden furniture. For assembly instructions, just click here.
So, to summarise, yes teak does have some disadvantages but what material doesn’t? Teak is built to last, cope with harsh weather exposure, provide you with decades of enjoyment and give that beautifully classic garden furniture look.
We hope that you have found this latest blog useful and helpful. Please remember that we are always here to help with any questions or queries you may have. Do not hesitate to send us an email to [email protected] and we will be more than happy to help.
