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, the tradition lives on, at TeakDesigns.com, which offers an incredible selection of teak patio furniture. Besides the classic benches and chairs, you’ll find an assortment of teak dining collections, lounges, reclining chairs, folding chairs, sun beds, accent tables, terrace tables, and ottomans. All of their patio furniture is made from top-quality Tectona Grandis kiln-dried teakwood, exquisitely crafted using mortise-and-tenon construction, along with solid brass and stainless steel hardware, for the ultimate in durability.
