| f the most popular and long lasting trends in outdoor | | | | almost solely American teak. In looking at Indonesian |
| furniture is teak wood. The weathering effect that it | | | | teak, expect to see a soft yellow coloration to it. A |
| achieves along with its durability is unsurpassed. | | | | reddish teak comes from the Amazon while American |
| Considered one of the most ideal materials for outdoor | | | | teak has little color to it. Neither Indonesian nor |
| use, much of what is on the American market today | | | | Amazonian teak will achieve the silvery weathering |
| comes from Indonesia. Consumers shopping for teak | | | | that American teak manages. |
| should become familiar with both the grading of the | | | | Fittings should be of solid brass for longevity. With a |
| wood and its subsequent pricing. | | | | little education, it is possible to tell if it is real brass or a |
| In Indonesia, the harvesting and building of teak furniture | | | | galvanized metal that looks like brass. Real brass |
| is very varied. Many large, well-known companies do | | | | won’t rust. The finish should not appear to |
| not have their own manufacturing facilities but rely on | | | | contain additional oil. One of the real benefits of natural |
| making purchases from many small local builders. The | | | | teak is that it contains enough oil just in its natural |
| products are labeled and sold as if they are of | | | | composition. Be hesitant to purchase chemically |
| standardized production but they aren’t. The | | | | treated or oiled teak. |
| wood is also often treated chemically for an enhanced | | | | The natural oil contained in teak is what makes it so |
| look and it is not know whether it is ultimately safe for | | | | beautiful over the years. Those properties come |
| either people or the environment. | | | | naturally, and are also what makes it so water |
| That isn’t to say that there isn’t some | | | | repellent. There’s the very reason that |
| manufacturing in Indonesia that isn’t good. Many | | | | shipbuilders have historically preferred it over all other |
| are more organized with modern factories with both | | | | woods. Withstanding nature with grace and achieving |
| updated machinery and techniques for building. They | | | | lasting beauty is important. |
| tend to use high grades of wood as well as fittings | | | | Guarantees are an important part of purchasing teak |
| and glue, and their products will go to the consumer | | | | outdoor furniture. Always look for products that offer |
| with a warranty or guarantee. These are the more | | | | four to five years as a warranty for a simple reason. If |
| professional products to look for when shopping. | | | | the teak or fittings are inferior, the pieces will fall apart |
| When teak products arrive from Indonesia, it is up to | | | | within that time and it will be possible to make a claim |
| the consumer to be armed with enough knowledge | | | | for refund or replacement. Make sure the paperwork |
| and questions to make an intelligent purchase. Teak, | | | | is included with what you take home along with being |
| regardless of origin, is still a big investment and one | | | | marked on the receipt too. |
| wants to feel that they’ve made a wise | | | | There’s nothing wrong with Indonesian teak. It |
| decision. | | | | can be just as long lasting and beautiful as any other. It |
| Ask questions and expect answers. | | | | may not be as high of a grade as American teak but |
| The grading of teak is one of the first places to start | | | | its price-line will also be lower. The consumer who |
| learning. By asking if teak is Grade A, much can be | | | | makes an effort to become knowledge before a |
| learned immediately. Almost none of the teak that | | | | purchase is more likely to end up with a product that |
| comes from Indonesia is Grade A. That ranking is | | | | will please them for years to come. |