All About Teak
ALL ABOUT TEAK
Teak is a very dense coarse-grained hardwood native to India and Malay Archipelago, and is cultivated in Java, the Philippine Islands, East and West Africa, Cuba, the Caribbean, and northern South America. The wood contains a high level of silica, which makes it naturally water resistant and therefore resistant to rot caused by fungal decay. Teak also has a high level of resinous oil helping to act as a natural insect repellent, giving the timber very high resistance to attack by termites and other wood boring insects.
Because of its durability and strength, teakwood is used throughout the world as lumber in shipbuilding. In the tropics, the wood is used primarily for the construction of furniture; teak furniture has been known to resist the attacks of insects and the corrosive effects of weather for hundreds of years.
Teak does not grow in tropical rain forests. It is a deciduous tree that grows particularly well in the dryer, hilly terrain typical of plantation forests in Southeast Asia. Java has very large teak plantations, which were first planted by the Dutch in the early 1800s and are now regulated by the Indonesian government.
Caring for Teak
We are extremely conscious of the destruction of the remaining old growth teak forests throughout Asia. All of our teak furniture is made either from reclaimed teak lumber salvaged from dismantled structures in Java, Indonesia, or from sustainably farmed plantation teak.
Each piece of furniture is individually hand-finished using traditional woodworking methods. Because of the hard, forgiving nature of teak, it can withstand more abuse than many other types of wood. However, attention and care are still required to keep your teak furniture looking it’s best.
Teak Dining Tables, Cabinets, Shelving, Benches, Stools, and Chairs: The majority of our products are hand-crafted of solid teak using mortise-and-tenon joinery. They are stained to a rich tone and coated with a water base polyurethane finish. Polyurethane is a very durable stand-alone finish that does not need any type of furniture polish to maintain it. Simply dust and clean off furniture with a damp cloth. A mild dishwashing soap can be used. Never use an abrasive pad to wipe off stains. Also never use Pledge or any type of furniture polish containing silicone. Over time, silicone is capable of destroying the finish.
Antique Furniture: Hand crafted and carved armoires, tables and cabinets add character to any home. Painted furniture should be wiped clean with a nearly dry cloth to avoid removing the color. Unpainted wood surfaces can be maintained with any bees-wax based product. The wear on these historical pieces reveals their true charm as functional household furniture.
Outdoor Teak Garden Furniture: Our teak garden furniture will weather beautifully over the years if left untreated, taking on a silvery patina. It really becomes a matter of personal preference. One can treat the teak with teak oil that acts as a water repellant and sealant. We recommend and carry in our showroom Daly’s Sea Fin Teak Oil. Once teak oil is applied, it should be repeated at least once a year – twice would be ideal. Teak outdoor furniture may be left outside year-round and should not be covered.