So you have decided to purchase a teak patio set – one of the best investments you can buy for your outdoor paradise. You've decided on teak because of the exotic nature of the wood, as well as its hardness, durability, and ability to resist pests, fungus, and nature. You have decided to combine luxury and durability together, and have laid down your hard earned money to make a solid investment in teak furniture.

But with millions of websites claiming to offer the best teak patio set on the market today, how can you ensure that you're getting the biggest bang for your buck? How do you know that your furniture is made of quality hardwood, and not recycled wood? How can you ensure that your wood was imported from India, and not any other south Pacific country? What do you need to look for to make sure you're getting the best investment for your dollar?

Before you buy a teak patio set from anywhere, you need to do your homework on what you're actually getting. By becoming an informed shopper, you will be preparing yourself to get the best product for the money you spend.

The first thing to know when looking into buying a teak patio set is that price does not necessarily equate to quality. While the rule has generally been: “the cheaper the price, the lesser quality the product,” it no longer applies to buying teak furniture. Because of the exotic nature of the wood, and the long process it takes to bring teak to its prime state, anyone selling teak can name their own price. Don't be fooled by a high price tag – it could result in purchasing a lower quality product.

The second thing to consider is the weight of the wood making up your teak patio set. If the teak is heavier, you can be assured that your wood is full of solid wood and oils that will keep it preserved for years to come. However, if your wood feels lighter, and has a lighter color to it, the wood is not of as high a quality. The difference in the two weights could be 20 years or more – a higher quality wood will last in excess of 30 years, while a lower quality, lighter wood will start to show signs of wear after 3 to 5 years.

When investigating the teak patio set you want to buy, investigate the grain and smoothness of the wood. A good, quality teak will be smooth to the touch, free of splintering and with solid grain moving along the wood. Lower quality teak wood will not necessarily be smooth to the touch, and will be prone to splintering. Also, lower quality teak will be full of knots and holes. The result of this is a lack of comfort for your guests, and a better chance of degrading quality as time goes on. Also, take a close eye for glued together pieces, as opposed to solid whole pieces. Buying furnishings with glued-together pieces will eventually erode over time – resulting in broken furniture you have to repair over and over again.

Buying a teak patio set can be one of the best investments you can make for your family. But knowing what to look for can save you a lot of money in the long run, and ensure you are buying a product that will last for ages to come.