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Teak is quite simply the most valuable timber available, and it is the ideal wood for use as an outdoor furniture product. On this page we will explain why this is the case.

We recommend you carry out your own research on the subject, so please browse the web for more information on teak wood, what its desirable properties are, and how it is harvested.

Where does it come from?

Teak wood comes from the tree of the same name, which itself belongs to the Verbenaceae family. It is indigenous to many countries in South and South East Asia.

Specifically, the teak used to produce our furniture products comes from plantations on the island of Java, Indonesia. The Dutch were responsible for establishing these plantations when they settled on the island in the early 1900's.

Pehrum Pertani is the state owned Forest Enterprise responsible for managing the plantations from which our teak is harvested. The planatations are fully renewable and a reforestation programme is implemented to ensure every tree felled is replaced with a new sapling.

Workers ar our factory in Indonesia apply the finishing touches to some teak tables

How is it made?

Furniture design and manufacture is a long standing tradition on the island of Java; it has been passed down from generation to generation for many years. Our furniture is produced by a factory on the island which employs local craftsmen, using both modern and traditional methods. Dedicated machinery and tools are used to cut and shape specific furniture pieces and every item is hand sanded to ensure a rustic but beautiful finish.

Why is it more suitable than other woods?

The main reason is because teak is extremely resilient; its high natural oil content makes it almost impervious to insects and rot, and it adapts extremely well to changes in humidity and temperate where lesser woods do not.

Although teak does weather, it should never fail. A well manufactured piece of teak garden furniture should literally last a lifetime if cared for correctly. Teak furniture is an investment; you won't need to buy a new set every year or two because it last for many, many years if not abused. It may cost a little more than the sets in your local DIY store, but it will probably pay for itself in as little as 2 years.

To give an example of the qualities of teak wood: shipbuilding is one industry where, for obvious reasons, only the strongest woods can be used. It was around the time of the middle ages that the enviable characteristics of teak were realised, and it has been the wood of choice for shipbuilders ever since. Few woods are suitable for standing up to the punishing conditions of the open sea - teak is one of them.

Does the quality of teak wood vary?

Yes. We only use the highest grade of teak wood when manufacturing our products.

Teak logs awaiting processing at the Pehrum Pertani plantations

When teak trees are harvested, the wood borne from them is graded on a scale from A to C before being offered for sale to factories or other buyers. These grades are explained below :-

C Grade - This is the lowest grade of teak available; it is mostly made up of the outer part of the teak log (sapwood) that is not fully mature and does that possess the very qualities that make teak so resilient. Knots are allowed, and are usually removed and filled with filler. The wood displays a contrasted mix of dark and very light areas, usually in what appear to be stripes or patches. It is not particularly strong and not very pleasant in appearance. This is not a suitable wood for furniture manufacture, especially if it is to be exposed to the elements.

B Grade - B grade cuts consist mostly of the inner part of the tree (the heartwood) at around a 60%/40% split against sapwood. Much higher quality than pure C grade wood and much more suitable for furniture manufacture, this grade of wood is quite commonly used as furniture for residents of the Indonesian islands. It is also commonly exported, although it is usually stained or oiled to disguise any areas of sapwood which show on the surface. Furniture manufactured from B grade cuts would be perfectly adequate for indoor use, but simply does not stand the test of time when left exposed to the elements. Severe warping and cracking is likely.

A Grade - The most expensive and sought-after part of the tree for a very good reason: A-Grade logs are 100% mature heartwood from the centre of the trunk. The wood should show no knots and demonstrate an even, tight grain with slight colour variations throughout the cut. This quality of wood is the only grade genuinely suitable for extended use as an outdoor product, and that is why we ensure that the factory making our furniture only buys A-grade teak heartwood.

It is no wonder that teak is a popular and exotic choice when it comes to garden furniture. While it's true that it costs a little more than most alternatives, you really do get what you pay for.