Your Guide to Luxury Teak Outdoor Furniture

A staple for luxury furniture, teak is a tropical hardwood that you will spot in most high-end spaces. Just like fine art, a piece of designer teak furniture is an investment you won't regret. Since it is the season for spending time in the open air, there couldn’t be a better time to splurge on some gorgeous outdoor teak furniture.

Teak Garden Furniture: A Timeless Classic

Flip through interior design look books from any decade and you will undoubtedly come across teak furniture. Teak looked good when bellbottoms were in style and it still looks good today. For older furniture pieces, simply add modern accessories such as outdoor lamps to give your patio a contemporary look.

Reasons We Love Teak

This South Asian ‘king of woods’ is here to stay! One of the many reasons we love teak is its durability. With proper care, your luxury teak furniture can last up to 70 years. In fact, it is possible to find British teak park benches that are almost a century old! Secondly, teak is water-resistant making it ideal for the outdoors. It protects itself naturally through its oils, meaning you don’t need to worry about frequent sealing. Lastly, those same oils that protect the furniture from water also protect it from pests. This natural repellent keeps termites and wood borers away from your tables and chairs.

Understanding Teak Grading

Teak comes in three grades: A, B and C. Naturally top grade A will outperform the others in terms of quality, so it should be your first choice.

Grade A

Expect to pay a premium for Grade A teak, which comes from the core of mature trees. Being heartwood, it is rich in oils and its close grain gives it optimal resistance to elements. You will recognise top-grade teak by its uniform, golden brown colour. All of our teak furniture ranges at FCI are Grade A, so you can be assured of exceptional quality when you buy from us.

Grade B

Making up a quarter of the log, Grade B teak is a lighter coloured wood. As it has fewer oils in it, you will need to treat this wood to get the most out of it. Be on the lookout for stores staining their teak to pass it off as a top-grade product.

Grade C

Grade C teak is a soft, sapwood timber. Identifiable by an uneven colour, garden furniture made from this teak will have a short lifespan, even after receiving the best care.

Grey-Aged Versus Golden-Brown Teak

To patina, or not to patina, that is the question when it comes to taking care of your teak items. After about 6 months outdoors, your teak furniture will begin to weather to a silver-grey colour. This does not impact the furniture’s durability. Many people love this aged look. If you are one of them, allow the grey patina to develop naturally over time or speed it up by using greying agents. If however, you prefer the natural golden-brown colour of teak, then you will need to be vigilant about sun protection. Keep your furniture in the shade and apply a colour guard and teak oil to prevent ageing.

Cleaning Your Furniture

Cleaning your luxury wooden garden furniture is an event that need only take place once a year. Soapy water and a soft brush are all you require to get rid of accumulated dirt. Stay away from pressure-cleaners as these will scour your furniture and damage it over time. What about the wine stains? Keep your furniture protected from food and drink stains by applying a stain guard solution.

Winter Storage

The sun is setting on summer and your Cruise Teak outdoor table and 3 seater sofa have seen their last sunny soirees. Is it time to store away your teak garden sets? Not necessarily. Teak can survive all the weather elements the UK climate will throw at it, so covering it is not a must. However, you won't be blasted for using furniture covers during periods of no use. Just make sure that the covers are made from breathable material. Finally, don't put your luxury garden furniture away in a heated room as this may cause cracks in the wood.

Shop Grade A Teak Luxury Outdoor Furniture at FCI London

Now that you are as excited as we are about teak furniture, take a look at our selection of some of the finest luxury teak outdoor pieces. In particular, popular outdoor brands Talenti and Ethimo offer multiple gorgeous collections of teak products. For a broader selection of luxury garden furniture in an array of materials, browse our leading outdoor brands for that perfect summer purchase.