Teak Patio Furniture Has Enduring Charm

By: Kathy Moran Posted on: 2007-01-08 Downloads: 80 ** Print Article ** ** Copy Article ** Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5  Not yet Rated

Article Summary: For centuries, teakwood has been highly prized for its radiant beauty, as well as its incredible strength and natural decay-resistance. It is produced by the Tectona Grandis tree, which is indigenous to Asia, and was once considered to be a royal tree in Thailand. Long used for making roofing and siding, walls, floors, doors, mantels, cabinets, closets, picture frames, and sculptures, teak is now one of the most popular woods for making patio furniture.

For centuries, teakwood has been highly prized for its radiant beauty, as well as its incredible strength and natural decay-resistance. It is produced by the Tectona Grandis tree, which is indigenous to Asia, especially Myanmar, Thailand, India, and Indonesia. In ancient Thailand, it was once so revered, in fact, that it was considered to be a royal tree. Teak has long been used for making roofing and siding, walls, floors, doors, mantels, cabinets, closets, picture frames, and sculptures. These days, it is frequently used for making patio furniture as well.It’s easy to understand the universal appeal of teak. The soil in which it grows is so abundant in oils and minerals, including silica, that they permeate the tree, creating wood that is waxy, rubbery, and dense. These desirable properties make it naturally waterproof, decay-resistant, repellent to insects, and thermally stable, which prevents this straight-grained wood from warping. Teak is also an uncommonly resplendent wood, which normally ranges from amber to dark brown, but sometimes has a reddish cast. It can be treated with a coating of oil annually, to maintain its natural color, or left to weather to a silvery gray.Since the Middle Ages, teak has been used for building ships. Still a favorite in the industry, its inherent resistance to salt water prevents it from decaying, while its unparalleled strength and durability allow it to endure long voyages, foot traffic from crews and passengers, heavy cargo and equipment, and fishing nets laden with the day’s catch. Beyond merely withstanding all of this punishment, the wood also maintains its beauty. In fact, after World War I, members of the British Navy, while taking warships apart, were stunned to see that the decks were still in immaculate condition. Some of the wood was then used to build garden benches, and the tradition of making teak outdoor furniture had begun.Many of those benches are still in use today, some in English gardens, and some lining the parks of London. After more than 80 years of snow, sleet, rain, heat, humidity, and heavy use, these benches have retained their structural integrity. Having weathered to a silvery hue, they almost look as if they’re made of metal.Today, while many people think that the era of covered bridges is long gone, others are discovering that a new generation is just beginning, at CedarStore.com. The best part is that, instead of being scattered throughout the country in obscure locations, these covered bridges can be customized, in three simple steps, for your own creek, stream, or walkway.Whether you’re looking for a few patio chairs for relaxing, a bistro table for dining al fresco, or an expansion table for doing some elaborate entertaining, you’ll find it at TeakDesigns.com.

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About the Author:
Kathy Moran
Teak Patio Furniture |