Teak Outdoor Furniture – What you need to know.
Information via Tribù – Luxury outdoor furniture from Tribù is distributed in more than 60 countries, and is known worldwide as one of the best manufacturers in the industry.
ABOUT TEAK
Teak is classed as the most premium wood on the planet and therefore the most suitable species for quality outdoor furniture Melbourne. Beyond its beauty, teak possesses some natural properties that other woods don’t have. It is extremely durable, stable, water and weather resistant. This is due to the high levels of natural oils which result in minimal moisture absorption, giving it great stability. Moreover, the wood is extremely resistant to fungi, as well as against parasite attacks and insects.
A tree is mature after 75 to 80 years. The trees are ringed, which means that the lower band of the bark is removed. The tree then loses most of its sap. About two years later it is felled and sawed up. Drying the wood is a very important phase and determines how it reacts later on. The time and speed of drying depends on the thickness of the material. Ideally the level of moisture lies between 8 and 12%.
Tribù makes no compromise when it comes to quality, and only use carefully selected, fully grown teak, which is harvested in accordance with the strictest environmental standards from the three highest quality Indonesian plantations in the East of Java.
TEAK MAINTENANCE
Teak left in its natural state, is virtually maintenance-free! It can be left outside all year round, surviving even the most extreme weather conditions.
New teak will experience natural oil surfacing that appears like a “watermark” or irregular pattern of discoloration. These areas are part of the natural maturing process and can be removed by gently washing with a bristle brush and diluted pH neutral soapy water or Tribu Teak Super Cleaner.
Over time, untreated teak furniture which is exposed to sun and rain will turn silver grey. This process is cosmetic and does not harm the strength or quality of the wood at all. To avoid the annual cleaning of the wood, you can apply a Teak Sealer. Tribu Teak Sealer contains UV protection to slow down the greying from the sun as well as a fungicide to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
Teak Sealer can be applied to new teak or old teak furniture after it has been cleaned. If Teak Sealer is applied every season, a simple cleaning with water and a pH neutral soap will do for years. Teak Sealer is a sealer and is not the same as varnish. It is breathable, letting the natural oils escape without bubbling or peeling like varnish. Teak Protector protects the wood against stains and green deposit, without colouring the wood. We recommend to apply it after each cleaning to avoid stains such as food or wine.
USING VARNISH OR OIL ON TEAK FURNITURE
Teak is protected by its own natural oils that migrate to the surface of the wood and make the wood virtually impervious to water. As such, the use of varnish and oil (especially linseed oil) on teak furniture is NOT recommended. Products such as varnish and polyurethane may peel and chip and require vigorous sanding to remove.
Oiling teak does not prevent the wood from greying, and often results in mold and mildew growing on the furniture. Removing mold and mildew on the surface requires washing the furniture with bleach and so ap followed by sanding. Tribù and authorities from the timber profession itself tend to advise against the use of teak oils.
TEAK STAINS ON CUSHIONS
Because teak does not absorb water and is rich in natural oils and silicates, the weathering process includes oil surfacing. This natural teak oil can cause stains on outdoor cushions that are sitting on top of the teak furniture. Fabric stained by teak oil can be cleaned with soap and water or a special eucalyptus-based cleaner. Please be aware, oil surfacing is a naturally repeating process that cannot be prevented.
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