Often called “the King of Woods,” teak is an incredible hardwood used in building structures. Today, teak furniture is also one of the most popular and recognizable varieties of outdoor patio sets. Though normally more expensive than other types of wood furniture, teak owners get more bang for their buck, so to speak, with a gorgeous and long-lasting set of furniture. Before you make the plunge and buy a new patio set to call your own, make sure you know what's what when it comes to this fabulous hardwood.



Let's start with the basics. Teak goes by a number of names. The Latin term for it is Tectona Grandis. In its native Indonesia, it is also called Jati, as well as Thekku in the Tamil language. This perennial grower is a tropical hardwood birch in the family Verbenaceae. Its handsome coloration ranges from straw-colored, to amber, to a rich brownish-red. The trees can grow up to 30 to 40 meters high and live to around 100 years old. As far as durability, teak is classified as a Class 1, meaning it is one of the strongest woods around. As a point of reference, American Oak is Class 2, while Western Red Cedar is a Class 3 hardwood.

The origin of teak patio furniture is interesting and comes to us from the other side of the world. Grown in the monsoon forests of Southeast Asia in low density areas of approximately one to five trees per acre, teak has been used as a building material since the 7th century, but it was not until the 19th century when it came to be considered for furniture. Before that, teak was an ideal choice for shipbuilders because of its resistance to saltwater and flexibility. In Europe, some park benches are made from repurposed teak ship decks that are over a century old. The first teak plantation appeared in Burma in 1856. Around that time, it became popular for use in India, from where it traveled to Victorian England. There, not only was teak outdoor furniture a tremendous hit, it also became a symbol of beautiful English country gardens. These days, teak is also grown in Central and South America where the climate is comparable, but in its native Southeastern Asia, the wood is still transported by elephant. Most other logging companies transport tree trunks by waterway, but teak logs are too heavy for that.

One of the biggest selling points for teak patio furniture is how low maintenance it is. The miracle hardwood is more resistant than other woods to rotting, warping and cracking. It also produces its own natural resin oils, called techno quinines, which repel termite and insect infestations. That also means it requires less manual oiling and sealing. Coating teak furniture with a sealant of some kind is recommended, but only about once a year. If furniture is kept inside, the wood's own oils will be retained longer and so even less is needed. Too much oiling can cause an ugly black mold. As another precaution, be sure to cover teak patio furniture with a vinyl or canvas tarp if it stays outdoors all winter. Do make sure furniture is dry before adding covers, as mold could occur. Finally, over time, teak furniture will naturally change color, so do not be alarmed. This solar patina effect will cause the wood to turn a grayish hue that most consider attractive.

As a final note, since teak is so great but rather pricey, lots of companies try to capitalize on selling it without being completely honest. For potential buyers, exhibit caution and ask lots of questions about what you're interested in. Be aware that not all furniture that in some way or other claims to be teak is actually authentic teak furniture. For example, anything that says it is “teak oiled wood furniture” is simply some other wood that has been coated with natural teak oils. Also, a product that claims to be “teak-like” is obviously not teak, while a product that says it is “stronger than teak” is an outright lie. There really isn't any wood stronger than teak; only synthetic materials or metal can make that claim.