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Articles & Advice > All Decks & Porches Articles > Teak Furniture Lasts a Lifetime

Teak Furniture Lasts a Lifetime

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Teak outdoor furniture is one of the most attractive, weather resistant, longest lasting types of outdoor furniture available on the market. On top of that, it's almost maintenance free and made from a renewable resource, making it not only a cost effective solution to your outdoor furniture needs, but also a purchase you can make with a clean conscience.

Passing the Test of Time
Teak has long been heralded as a wood known for its durability and longevity. In fact, in the eighteenth century, it was almost exclusively used on seagoing vessels as decks and railings, specifically because of its resistance to weather and water damage. It was the wood garnished from these vessels, once they were retired, that was used to construct the first teak outdoor furniture.

With a history like that, it's easy to see why this tropical wood is generally regarded as one of the premier materials for building outdoor furniture, be it loungers, deck chairs, tables, or benches. In fact, it has been known to last for a hundred years and running, truly making teak furniture the last outdoor furniture you'll ever need to buy.

It's All About the Wood
The properties that make teak such a well-suited material for this use are two-fold. First of all, it's high in natural oils, making it naturally resistant to rain, snow, and other damaging weather. Second, it has an exceptionally tight grain that resists splintering. Both of these qualities have served to make it a perfectly suited material for the construction of quality furniture for outdoor use.

Maintenance
Perhaps the greatest draw of this proven outdoor furniture is the maintenance required to keep it functional: none. Depending on how you want your furniture to look, it's perfectly acceptable to never touch your furniture except when you're kicking back in it on a beautiful, sunny day. As mentioned earlier, it won't rot, splinter or deteriorate in any way. The only side effect of no maintenance is that it will eventually turn a light shade of silvery gray, a look that many homeowners actually enjoy.

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If you prefer the rich golden brown of new teak, don't fret. All you need to do is apply a coat of oil once or twice a year to keep it looking like new. And if you lapse in this chore, you can always sand your furniture down before oiling in order to bring out that just-off-the-show-floor look. Even if you do oil your furniture, with teak there's no need to bring your patio set in over the winter months like with other outdoor furniture. It will look the same come spring thaw as it did when the leaves were falling.

A Renewable Resource
If you're concerned about wood furniture and its effects on the environment, teak is an environmentally friendly product if you go with the right supplier. Teak is native Southeast Asia, and many nations from that area that supply it carefully regulate the harvesting of these trees on plantations to ensure that this valuable natural resource isn't squandered.

Pays for Itself
Teak is a little more expensive than other outdoor furniture materials, but for good reason. Keep in mind that the teak furniture you purchase for your patio or deck will likely be the last you will have to buy in your lifetime. Compare that to the aluminum lounger you have to replace every few years and suddenly the high initial cost doesn't seem so unreasonable. In fact, if you add it up, you'll most likely save money by spending a little more at the get go. If you're looking for quality outdoor furniture, teak is without a doubt head and tails above the rest.

Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.

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