Teak patio sets are now common to North American backyards and decks, but this tropical hardwood, also known as Tectona Grandis in Latin or Jati in Indonesia, has an interesting history that dates back centuries and makes it more than just an attractive buy. Straight from the monsoon forests of Southeast Asia, you're about to learn why owning a teak patio set is like owning a little piece of history.

Ancient civilizations in India and Malaysia first came upon the usefulness of teak as building material, and since the 7th century, teak has been used in various construction projects throughout Asia. In Siam and Thailand it was employed to build temples and palaces, among other structures. This specific wood was chosen primarily because it is an extremely tall species of deciduous tree which can grow upwards of 30 to 40 meters tall. Also, it is extremely durable, flexible and resistant to cracking, termites and weather, due largely in part to the natural oils it produces.

Despite its popularity in structural building, the most well-known use of teak has been in shipbuilding. Since the Middle Ages, teak has been the wood of choice for large ships not only because of its malleability and durability, but also because of some other peculiar features unique to the tree. Not only does teak withstand rust and rot, but when paired with metal it actually helps keep the metal itself from rusting as well. When combined with destructive salt water, one can see why teak patio feature would be especially useful for patio furniture. Though not used as much in modern shipbuilding, teak has proven to be so long-lasting that old ship decks have been recycled into park benches throughout Europe, some of which are even over 100 years old.

It was not until the 19th century that teak came to be considered as an option for use in indoor and outdoor teak patio sets. The British can be credited with transporting the locally admired wood from its colonial Indian homeland to Victorian England. However, harvesting the wood did not prove to be an easy process. Because the trees are so heavy, logs will not float on water as many other kinds of woods do and are thusly transported via waterway.

Instead, the task then fell on native elephants who were trained to pull the logs through jungles and place them in stacked piles for ground transportation. So effective was this method that it is still in use today. In modern times, though still mainly found still in Asia, teak is also now grown in parts of Central and South America, whose growing conditions are comparable.

These days, teak patio sets are some of the most commonly found throughout the United States. It can be found also in flooring, on yacht decks, and in such random spots as upscale ski resorts. Because of its admirable qualities and attractive grain, it is no wonder why teak has been so applauded as a building material for centuries and will continue to be so well into the future.