One of the most popular items nowadays is teak furniture. It is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use as its material can be made into a number of different products.

30 to 40 meter height tropical hardwood teaks are to be found in the southeast and south Asian regions, better known as the Tectona.

The Tectona Grandis or the Common Teak is generally found in the Indian and Indo-China territories; this is teak specie which is known to be the most important as it is widely sold and farmed in these areas. However, the Tectona Philippinensis or the Philippine Teak which is scarcely found in the Philippines along with the Tectona Hamiltoniana or the Dahat Teak which is rarely found in Burma are other species of teak which are said to already be endangered. The three aforementioned are the three recognized species of teak which are said to only be found in the Asian territories.

The Tectona or teak leaves have been found to be edible; thus it is poured with batter and steamed to create an Indian delicacy called the Pellakai Gatti or the Jackfruit dumpling.

Durability is not an issue when it comes to teak; as it is a hardwood, it is known to last for a long time without the slightest hint of deterioration. Furniture made from teak is normally cut from old teak trees which grow at a gradual phase in the forests; these make harder and more durable furniture than those cut from younger trees as those are softer and are more prone to water damage thus can not be used for outdoor furniture. However, there are plantation-grown teaks which grow faster yet are softer; though when exposed to kiln drying, it produces wood which are about the same quality as those of the aged forest teaks.

Even without varnish and oil treatments and finishes, teak furniture can survive the elements when set for outdoor use. This is possible as teaks are equipped with natural oils which in fact aide better in protecting the wood over synthetically made oils meant for the same purpose.

There are different kinds of teak furniture produced for human consumption; it is a versatile material and can be used for items as simple as boxes or chests to something more complex such as beach loungers, beds, seats, picnic tables and chairs, double seat swings, gazebos, etc.

This kind of hardwood is not only suitable for home furnishing, it is also ideal for floorings and indoor veneers even for boats. Furniture and finishes made from teak are highly durable and found to be rather elegant and known as a fine investment as it will last for long periods of time.

Teak is the most preferred outdoor furniture material because of the many advantages it offers. Teak furniture, which is popular for its waxy properties and rich brown color, turns into silvery gray color over time. Aside from its classy appearance, teak patio furniture is also durable. It can withstand damage caused by insects, moisture, and extreme weather conditions.

When it comes to maintenance, teak outdoor furniture won’t give you any headache. You can occasionally wash it with water and mild soap. It doesn’t need to be painted because it stays good-looking even if its color turns into classic gray.

But if you prefer to maintain the original color of your outdoor teak furniture, you have to apply oil to it every year. While using oil on your patio furniture won’t extend its life span, it can delay the sun’s aging effect. Thus, oiling is the best way to keep your teak patio furniture looking like new for many years.

Before you proceed to oiling your teak chairs and tables, you should prepare first the materials and supplies necessary for the job. Make sure you have the following: mild detergent, teak oil, paintbrush (one to two inches), and cotton rags. Be sure that you get teak oil made exclusively for outdoor or patio furniture from marine product dealers.

Once you have all the needed supplies, wash each teak furniture piece with warm, soapy water and then rinse it. Let your furniture dry for one to two days. Make sure that the furniture is totally dry before you oil it since moisture can cause mildew formation.

To achieve a smooth surface, sand your teak furniture using fine grain sandpaper. Then wipe away all the dust from your furniture.

Read carefully all the instructions that come with the teak oil you purchased. Use a paintbrush to apply the teak oil and let it dry. Then wipe off the excess oil using a clean cotton rag.

To make your furniture look better, you may want to apply an additional coat of teak oil to your patio table and chairs. Before you put the second coating, sand down every furniture piece.

You will be pleased with the new look of your teak furniture as soon as you’re done with oiling. This job is a bit tedious, but it can give your furniture a great look that is guaranteed to last for a long time. So bring back your outdoor furniture’s original look by oiling it once a year.