Why It Is Best Not To Treat Teak Garden Furniture With Anything
Teak garden furniture is sought after for its unique aesthetic appeal but above all for the unique properties of teak. This tropical hardwood is naturally resistant to the effects of the weather including rain, intense UV light, temperature extremes, humidity, etc. as well as termites thanks to its natural oils which protect it from the harsh outdoor elements. Routine cleaning is the only care it requires to keep it beautiful and appealing.
Quality teak garden furniture lasts a lifetime and does not need any treatments whatsoever even if it is left outdoors all year round. It does, however, change colour over time turning from the distinct golden brown into silvery grey. But this is merely a cosmetic change and does not have any effect on its strength or durability. Teak's original colour can be preserved, however, just about all manufacturers of quality teak garden furniture recommend not to treat teak with anything.
Two types of products are used to postpone the greying process – teak oil and teak sealer. The first one is not teak oil in the true meaning of the world but a synthetic oil which is supposed to replace the lost natural oils. However, quality teak does not lose its natural oils and does not need any oiling. Even more, treating your furniture with teak oil can cause more harm than good because it penetrates into the wood and replaces its natural oils. This makes the timber dependent on periodic oiling because the synthetic oil does escape from the wood. As a result, you need to continue with periodic teak oil treatments once you start oiling your furniture. In addition, it makes the furniture more susceptible to mould.
Teak sealer does not harm the wood and does not affect its natural oil content. However, it literally seals the wood's pores which is why it is crucial to apply it when the furniture is completely dry because the sealer prevents the moisture from evaporating. A sealer also does not make the wood dependent on regular treatments. You can discontinue to treat the furniture at any time without affecting its quality and durability. Once the sealer is removed, your teak garden furniture will simply begin to "age". However, it is important to keep in mind that there are several types of teak sealer and that some can cause damage to your furniture as well. If you would like to keep your teak garden furniture looking like new, you are highly recommended to contact the manufacturer for advice.
Considering that the greying process is merely cosmetic, you are highly recommended to think twice before you start treating your teak garden furniture with anything because teak fights the harsh outdoor elements a lot better on its own. This, however, counts only for grade A teak. Grade B and C teak garden furniture, on the other hand, cannot withstand the outdoor conditions without treatment due to low content of teak's natural oils.