Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy is teak furniture so expensive? Where does the teak wood used to make London Teak furniture come from? Does outdoor teak furniture require a lot of upkeep and maintenance? What is the best way to clean teak furniture? What is the best method for applying London Teak Oil? How is teak wood different from other types of wood used to make outdoor furniture? Q: Why is teak furniture so expensive?A: It may seem like teak furniture is very expensive, but you have to consider the level of quality and extreme durability that teak furniture is able to provide. These various sets and accessories are not simply a one season addition to your home but are designed to last longer than a lifetime. Your teak furniture will be passed down from generation to generation! The inherent strength and durability of teak wood coupled with artful, handcrafted workmanship and only the most solid construction create the unparalleled value of London Teak furniture. Q: Where does the teak wood used to make London Teak furniture come from?A: The teak wood used to make London Teak furniture is imported from the Indonesian island of Java. Teak wood does grow in a few other places around the world, but the teak wood from Java is recognized as the world's finest. Specifically, the teak trees are grown on a government regulated plantation where the harvest rate is maintained to be equal to or less than the replanting rate. This mandatory practice ensures that the plantation teak tree population will always be balanced and the natural teak tree population is never jeopardized. Q: Does outdoor teak furniture require a lot of upkeep and maintenance?A: Absolutely not. Teak wood is unique in that it is able to withstand constant exposure to the elements without requiring a heavy seal or special finish. Over time the original honey-golden shade of your new teak furniture will transform to a gorgeous silvery patina. This is caused by exposure to the unforgiving sun. The UV rays in sunlight break down the natural oils in the wood, causing it to turn an antique like silver-gray. Although many people prefer this weathered look, if you would rather keep you new teak furniture looking fresh all it requires is an occasional cleaning and a few coats of London Teak Oil. Q: What is the best way to clean teak furniture?A: It is best to use a non-acid based formula that will effectively clean the teak without damaging the integrity of the wood. Acid based cleaners will strip away the light colored soft grain and expose a rough, unattractive, darker grain. Using a pressure washer, or a stiff bristled brush will have a similar effect of stripping the top layer and leaving behind a rough, raised grain structure. At this point, sanding down your teak furniture would be the only way to return it to the original smooth condition. The best cleaning method is to wet the teak wood, apply the non-acid cleaner and then gently agitate with a soft-bristle scrubber brush. The cleaner should be allowed to work for approximately 15-20 minutes according to label instructions. After the suitable amount of time has passed, rinse the teak furniture with water and allow it to dry. You must wait AT LEAST 24 hours, preferably more, before you attempt to apply any kind of oil. Q: What is the best method for applying London Teak Oil?A: It is very important that the wood is COMPLETELY DRY prior to applying any teak oil. Any left over moisture beneath the surface of the wood could cause it to turn very dark once the teak oil is applied. Also, if the cleaning chemicals are not thoroughly removed, the application of teak oil may create subtle white spots that will take away from the furniture's overall appeal. The best method for applying teak oil is by hand, not with a brush or sponge. Wipe the wood with a rag that is saturated with London Teak Oil with the grain. Allow the oil to stand for about 15 minutes. After this, be sure to wipe off the excess oil with a clean, dry rag. It is important that the oil is able to penetrate the wood as deeply as possible so that it will maintain the gorgeous golden luster longer. One coat of teak oil will keep your outdoor teak furniture looking fresh for a few months, but to achieve maximum absorption it is recommended that 3 coats of London Teak Oil are applied. Once the excess oil has been wiped away, wait for about 30 to 45 minutes before applying the second coat. Then allow these two coats to absorb over night, and apply the final layer of London Teak Oil the following morning. Three to four hours after the final application, the wood should be dry and ready for use. Q: How is teak wood different from other types of wood used to make outdoor furniture?A: Three other types of wood typically used to make outdoor, patio, and garden furniture are Niota, Shorea and Rubberwood. Niota wood is significantly cheaper than teak, slightly less durable, and only indigenous to certain areas of China. Because of unregulated harvesting and the limited natural population, Niota wood is likely to be extinct within the next decade. Shorea wood is another competitor, but is nowhere near the quality of teak. It grows much faster than teak, looks like teak, and is about half the price of teak which is why many manufacturers are attracted to it; but it begins to check and split within 4 to 5 years and generally fails inside of 10 years. Rubberwood is attractive and resembles maple in grain, but in order to be suitable for outdoor use it must be heavily sealed which takes away from the beauty of the natural wood grain. Teak wood requires no seal because the internal oil content makes it naturally water repellent and insect deterrent. It is grown on a regulated plantation where the harvesting rate is equal to the replanting rate so the teak tree population is never in jeopardy. With minimal upkeep and proper care, teak wood outdoor furniture will last for decades. For these reasons, purchasing teak outdoor furniture is a valuable investment that will continually comfort and impress you and your family with each and every use. |
