Teak has been known and adored for a long time by shipbuilders because of its durability, beauty, resistance against dry rot and extreme weather conditions. The high oil content in the wood keeps it from drying out.
Teak is mainly found in Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, and India. Similar timbers have been found in other places but nothing has been found to match teak and all of its qualities. All of these qualities make it an excellent choice for teak patio furniture. Teak can be left outside all year round and survive even the most extreme weather conditions.
Reclaimed teak is recycled teak items that had once upon a time been used for something else. It could be wood that came from neglected buildings that are falling down and need to be replaced. In many cases, a broken down and neglected building would mean that a bulldozer would be called in, and the whole building leased. The pieces would then be taken to a landfill and left there to break down over a number of years. This is not the case when it comes to recycled teak furniture. Instead, the good pieces of teak wood are harvested to be given a new life.
Instead of throwing this wood out, it is saved from rotting in a landfill and taken to a skilled teak furniture maker. This person will then turn that saved teak into a new piece of teak furniture. Not only is a beautiful new piece of wood furniture created, but also there is less environmental impact as no new trees are cut down to make these items and less trash is going into the landfill.
Once recycled wood is harvested from an old building or other location, the recycled wood is cleaned by hand to remove the oxidized coatings, oil varnishes and paints that may have been added to it during its past life. Nails and other hardware are removed then it is prepared for production. Minor imperfections and discolorations are perfectly normal. In fact, they can add to the wood's beauty and charm.
From wagon wheel patio furniture to cowboy and Indian statues, they are all made from reclaimed teak. Teak wood is a popular choice for houses in the desert and mountain ranges of the southwest because it does not dry out the way other woods might. The regular use of store bought teak oil will keep your teak furniture from weathering to a silvery gray color.
There are many reasons for the use of teak in furniture. The fact that it is strong and durable makes it the greatest form of wood to make patio furniture out of. Some of the teak lumber used had already been in use hundreds of years in the form of houses and ship decks. Since they have outlasted their initial use, teak lumber is recycled into other forms and can take on a new life in your home. Not only will this be teak furniture you love for years to come, but you can also love that it was made without any new environmental impact.