Home Furnishings: The Amazing Durability of Teak Wood

Teak wood is durable and can withstand high heat and humidity, making it a fantastic choice for home and garden furniture. The appearance of teak is also highly desirable, as it has a beautiful natural grain.

Origins of Teak Wood

Since the 7th century, teak has been used to outfit the homes of the rich and powerful. Dutch colonizers also used the wood to build ships, taking advantage of teak’s ability to withstand wet conditions. Teak trees are native to tropical regions and today most teak comes from Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia.

Teak Sustainability

When buying teak furniture, it’s important to make sure that the wood comes from a sustainable plantation. Teak trees can take up to 80 years to mature, so it’s essential to ensure that mature trees are harvested at a sustainable rate to protect future supplies of the wood. Teak furniture that is made from reclaimed teak is another sustainable option. You should always buy teak furniture from a reputable company so you can be sure that the wood has been grown sustainably or reclaimed from old furniture.

Known Teak Durability

If you’re shopping for new furniture for your home, then it would be worth considering furniture that is made of 100% teak wood, particularly if the furniture will be used in a bathroom or other humid environment. Teak is extremely resistant to warping and cracking in warm and wet conditions. In fact, the Burmese Teak and Plantation Teak species have been ranked as the best performing woods for resisting humidity.

The Teak Appearance

Teak has a natural soft grain that many people find very beautiful. Many items of teak furniture are finished with teak oil to preserve their natural warm color. Teak oil is generally a mixture of seed oils, including linseed oil and rapeseed oil. Outdoor teak furniture may need retreating with teak oil every few years to keep it looking its best. In comparison, other woods usually need treating more often and with more products to protect them from exposure to moisture.

The Costs of Teak

Although high-quality teak furniture can be quite expensive compared to furniture made of cheaper woods like pine, the initial investment can pay off in the long run. Teak’s durability means that furniture made from this wood rarely needs to be replaced, even if it is used in a humid environment. Teak’s beautiful appearance also means that furniture items made of 100% teak often become prized possessions which are handed down through the generations, as the wood’s soft grain never goes out of style.

Conclusion: Teak Furniture is a Smart Choice for Your Home

Whether you’re looking for patio furniture that can stand up to any kind of weather or a shower bench that will take a daily dose of steam, teak furniture is a strong and durable choice. This wood has been used for many centuries, thanks to its amazing durability, ability to withstand humidity, and beautiful appearance. Why not bring it into your home and continue this long-standing tradition?

Joan Long has always had a knack of being able to transform her home with the right choice of furnishings and accessories. She enjoys being able to share her ideas with an online audience and is a regular contributor on a number of different websites.