Questions about Rustic Teak Furniture

Rustic furniture has been misleadingly described as shabbily made or of low quality; just recently however, rustic furniture has been considered a good source of texture for most decor, bringing with it the excitement and homeliness of nature. Most rustic furniture has been synonymous to birch and alderwood furniture finished with just varnish or sometimes just oils. Most of the rustic furniture you'll find in the market are built as patio furniture or else outdoor furniture, but there are a few that can also be used indoors.

Common types of wood are good for outdoors, but though these types of woods are indeed built and ready for the harsh outdoors, nothing compares to the sturdiness and resistance of rustic teak furniture.

Buying teak furniture isn't just simply going to the store or to an internet site and picking it out of the catalog, picking and taking care of teak furniture properly will ensure that it stays for generations to come.

First of all, you might see that Teak is more expensive than most of the other hardwood furniture that you can see in the market. This is because of the natural durability of Teak wood. Here are a few thing that you should know about teak furniture if you’re looking to buy some.

What is Teak?

Teak is a tropical hardwood with the scientific name Tectona Grandis which is commercially grown in Africa India and Malaysia. In the early days, teak was used for shipbuilding. Teak has a very fine grain that resists weathering, rotting and insects. Teak oil, which the wood produces while alive is a natural insect repellent which aside from lubricates the wood, also keeps insects away.

Why is Teak Expensive?

The fine grain of teak makes it very durable and the natural insect repellent oil makes it ideal for outdoor use. The life expectancy of rustic teak furniture is generally longer than that of natural hardwood furniture unlike Jarrah for example. Aside from that, the price of your teak furniture is influenced by its design.  A more complicated design requires more wood and labor.

How to Take Care of Teak Furniture

Teak is very durable and can be left outside without worry. Maintenance would consist of a scrub with soapy water, to prevent moss growth. Some experts recommend an occasional coat of teak oil to prevent insect infestation.

Aging Teak Furniture

Don't worry if the color of your teak set is starting to fade. You'll probably get your teak furniture at a light brown color but good teak usually fades to a silver gray color as years pass.

Cracks

Cracks may appear occasionally on your teak tables and cahirs. This is perfectly normal as wood expands and contracts with changing temperature and humidity. Don't worry if you see cracks, this will disappear once the air gets more humid.

Seasonal Changes

Rustic teak furniture can be kept outside during all the seasons, although it may need a good scrub before spring use.

Stains and spills

Stains can be cleaned off teak furniture with soapy water and a brush, sometimes it even goes away on its own. For extremely stubborn stains, you could go at it with a sandpaper but don’t sand too deep to prevent unevenness. Sanding can also be done if you see scratches.

Sticky Stuff

For glue or paper that has attached itself on your rustic teak furniture, rub it down with a wet rag. If it doesn’t come off, then scrub it with steel wool.