Everyone seems to have the idea that teak furniture needs oiling. We recommend that you do not oil the furniture as the wood has plenty of oil in it naturally. Adding more makes the surface sticky which then traps more dust and dirt and the longevity of the furniture will not be increased. So a lot of work for nothing!

Teak naturally weathers into an ashy silver colour which darkens slightly each year. The photo shows a bench which is 34 years old and has stood outside the whole time untreated. The right hand side shows the accumulated weathering and the left hand side shows the result of gentle power hosing. The table is the same age and was treated with a solution of 10% domestic bleach rubbed on with a cloth and removed with plenty of water after 15 minutes. In both cases the furniture looks clean, with a lovely silvery finish and no damage done to the wood.

Proper kiln drying of the timber before construction of the furniture should ensure that this does not occur. However small cracks do occasionally appear. These will not have any effect on the use of the furniture or how long it will last. If you feel it is unsightly it can easily be fixed using an exterior glue and fine sandpaper: Smear a small amount of glue over the crack wiping off any excess. Gently sand the area – the grains will fill the crack by sticking to the glue.

A good winter cover will slow down the weathering process and may be advisable for extending tables and folding chairs. i.e. wherever there are moving parts. It is not essential and particularly not with fixed pieces of furniture. We stock good quality breathable covers which protect the furniture without causing condensation which exacerbates the problem.