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The Gloster Guide to Sustainable Teak Outdoor Furniture

In the past few years, eco-friendly exterior design has been in the spotlight, increasing our love for alfresco living and its positive effects on health and wellness. And with the industry’s keen eye driving trends towards green practices, discerning buyers are honing in on luxury brands that are endeavouring to play their part.

At FCI London, we applaud this approach and are delighted to introduce the Gloster guide to sustainable teak outdoor furniture.

This distinguished brand (and its team of innovative designers) is synonymous with superb craftsmanship and has become recognised around the world for its unshakable commitment to eco-friendliness.

Aside from its impressive ethos, each offering, from its beautiful seats to every sturdy joint, is built by human hands, bringing next-level quality to your outdoor spaces.

But what makes them truly stand out from the crowd? Let’s dive in and take a closer look at how Gloster ticks and why homeowners and aficionados alike are so besotted with it.

The History of Gloster Outdoor Furniture

From luxury boutiques, cruise ships and hotel chains to independent corporations and gracious households, Gloster has been creating gorgeous outdoor landscapes for over five decades.

Originating in the 1960s, its journey began in West Africa with a group of passionate entrepreneurs who were determined to make their mark on the design industry. Using discarded tree stumps for some of their components, this team of pioneers began their legacy with a determination to promulgate sustainable production practices.

Now, 10 million furniture pieces later, Gloster has become a global leader and a firm favourite amongst judicious Britons.

From Austria to Australia and Jordan to Japan, its manufacturing plant ships beautiful offerings all over the world, constantly making new inroads as they develop and grow.

With a nod to tradition and an eye constantly on the future, the Gloster range is both modern and timeless, making it an appealing choice no matter your style.

Now based in Indonesia, they have expanded from using plantation-grown teak to modern inclusions of other eco-conscious materials like aluminium, glass, ceramics and fabric.

With award-winning collections under its belt, Gloster continues to delight anyone who takes their outdoor spaces seriously.

The Importance of Sustainability in Contemporary Design

Whether you’re focusing on your home’s interior or doing up your patio, the practices of sustainable interior design are imperative to the protection of our natural environment.

In fact, professionals worth their salt will tell you that reducing your carbon footprint should be considered in every aspect of your refurbishment projects.

From mitigating waste through recycling and reducing electricity consumption to minimising manufacturing pollutants and creating high-quality, long-lasting furniture, every variable is vital to the planet’s well-being.

In order to get this right, these are some questions you should be asking about your favourite furniture:

Where does it come from? Locally made products will reduce the need for transportation, which will in turn lessen carbon emissions.
How is each resource obtained? Find out whether materials like leather and wood are sourced from suppliers who engage in regenerative farming and forestation.
Who made it and what are their work ethics? Most eco-conscious brands are open about their processes and how they impact both their employees and the environment.
How are they packed? Shipping requires proper packaging, so make sure they are wrapped in biodegradable, recycled or reusable materials.
What is their lifespan? Longevity is a major part of “green” design because having to replace it regularly creates excess waste, so find furniture pieces that will last for decades.
Do they impact the health of the end user? An excess of VOCs, gasses and chemicals is a safety hazard and may affect your well-being, so dig a little deeper before you invest in anything.

If you want to know more about this, read our article on sustainable trends in luxury furniture. It will help you make discerning choices about what you buy.

The Eco-friendly Benefits of Choosing Teak Outdoor Furniture

Due to its eco-friendliness, teak, which is a tropical hardwood native to Southeast Asia, has become a popular choice amongst outdoor furniture manufacturers. This is why:

Usually reclaimed or harvested from carefully controlled plantations, this high-end hardwood has helped reduce illegal logging and deforestation, making it one of the most sustainable options available.
Known for its natural resistance to insects and decay, it’s an ideal resource for anything that is regularly subjected to inclement weather or extreme climate fluctuations.
Incredibly durable, teak is renowned for its long lifespan. If well cared for, it can last for decades, thus decreasing the need for frequent replacements and excessive waste.
Because of its high content of natural oils, no preservatives or chemical treatments are required. Not only does this eliminate a negative environmental impact but it also lessens its need for high care and maintenance regimes.
Recyclable and biodegradable, teak has a circular lifespan meaning that, in time, it can either be repurposed or left to decompose without affecting the environment.

At FCI London, our expert design team recommends this incredible wood as a responsible choice for those who are conscious about reducing their carbon footprint.

The Gloster Guide to Sustainable Teak Outdoor Furniture

Gloster’s Commitment to Sustainable Teak Forestation

For over 700 years, teak has been a go-to material for luxury outdoor furniture, which is why Gloster is so passionate about using it in its manufacturing processes.

With sustainability at the epicentre of the brand’s core values, the company has been ahead of the curve in ethical and environmental manufacturing since its inception.

Known for taking stringent steps to ensure that each piece is responsibly produced, it relocated its operations to Indonesia in the 1980s to satisfy rising production demands. And, having worked closely with government-owned plantations for many years, it is now embarking on its next major chapter.

The recent opening of the Gloster Furniture Teak Plantation was a significant benchmark that places the brand as having the first privately-owned estate in Indonesian history.

With 5,000 teak trees spread uniformly across its newly acquired 12.5 hectares of Javanese lowland, the brand has opened up new opportunities. These include protecting the local environment, promoting proper forest management and playing an integral role in the growth of the Indonesian economy.

5 Additional Eco-friendly Practices That Are Used by Gloster

Aside from the above, Gloster is highly respected for their varied approach to environmental preservation and makes these sustainable practices a priority. Here’s how:

1. It uses other recycled and recyclable materials in the construction of its outdoor furniture in order to decrease waste and lower its carbon footprint.

2. It chooses eco-friendly finishes over the use of toxic chemicals.

3. It invests in electricity-efficient manufacturing methods by employing renewable energy sources and minimising water usage.

4. It has committed, highly skilled, long-term employees who have worked for the brand for decades. This includes their design team, who frequently travel to the factory in order to make genuine connections with the craftsmen, the raw materials and the brand philosophy.

5. It places a strong emphasis on product longevity, encouraging customers to invest in furniture that will last.

How to Care for Your Gloster Outdoor Teak Furniture

The lifespan of a Gloster tree is approximately 50 years. And it may surprise you to know that every piece of wood harvested by the brand can be traced back to its original source.

We reckon that alone makes its furnishings a must-have investment! So, if you’re rushing out to buy your first stylish piece, here are some tips, insights and recommendations that will help you keep it in ship shape:

What to Expect As Teak Ages:

When left outside, both naturally finished and buffed teak will gradually change from a honey tone to a soft silver-grey.
Expect the surface grain to rise slightly after its first few times being exposed to water, but this will occur less on buffed products.
Allow your teak to weather naturally and enjoy the process. All you really need to do is clean it once or twice a year with a professional teak cleaner.
To keep your teak from staining (because we all love red wine, tomato sauce and coffee) you can use a recommended teak protector. This will also help it resist UV rays, excess water, dirt and mildew.

How to Maintain the Golden Colour of Teak:

If you would prefer your furniture to maintain its original golden brown colour, apply a teak sealer. This will have no effect on the strength or longevity of the furniture.
If you choose to do this, be aware that the process will have to be repeated regularly in order to keep the wood protected from ageing.
Note that teak cannot be painted or varnished because of its natural oils. Any attempt to do so will result in peeling.

How to Keep Your Teak Outdoor Furniture Clean:

Outdoor furniture is constantly subjected to the elements and general wear and tear, making them susceptible to dust and stains. To help mitigate this, use a teak cleaner whenever necessary. Here’s how to do it:

Remove any stains or grime with water and a cloth.
Rub with the grain rather than against it as this will help any dirt to escape the wood fibres.
Remember to get into all the corners.
Apply the teak cleaner with a soft cloth.
Leave it to dry naturally.

How to Store Your Teak Furniture in Winter:

Although this wood is incredibly durable, we suggest you store it away during harsher weather conditions to maintain it for longer. A water-tight garden shed or garage is an ideal choice.

Do not move your teak furniture into a heated room or it could crack due to the abrupt variation in temperature and humidity.

3 Gloster Teak Outdoor Furniture Offerings You’ll Love

Gloster furniture is defined by its contemporary yet timeless aesthetics and is the perfect addition to any modern household. With offerings ranging from luxury sofas to outdoor tables, bespoke lighting, cushy daybeds and an array of chairs, you’ll find everything you need to complete your ensemble.

Here are our 3 favourite picks:

1. The Bay Sun Lounger

Designed to bring a relaxing beach vibe to your poolside, the Bay sun lounger is part of an easy-going collection that will have you lounging happily for hours on end. Its buffed teak base and back, topped with comfortable cushioning, is easy on the eye and you can choose between a range of stylish fabrics to suit your patio aesthetics.

2. The Kasha Outdoor Table

Whether you’re having an alfresco family brunch or entertaining close friends, the Kasha dining table will bring a touch of class to your outdoor lifestyle. Its striking ceramic base is available in six different options and you’ll be able to seat either four or five people with ease.

3. The Fern Sofa

Designed by Sebastian Herkner, the Fern sofa collection comes in both a regular and a high-back option and takes its inspiration from an unfurling leaf. Incredibly cosy, it has an elegant teak base, a curved canopy in rope and aluminium and plush seat and back cushions that will envelop you with a sense of ease.

Shop Gloster Outdoor Furniture At FCI London

At FCI London, we make it our mission to bring you the best in both indoor and outdoor furniture offerings and are proud to include Gloster as part of our range. If you’re excited to find out more, get in touch with us or pop into our showroom for a chat and a glass of bubbly.

With over three decades of experience behind us, our expert interior designers are able to assist you with everything from your layouts to your accessory choices. And, if you’re looking for some extra inspiration, browse through our latest projects portfolio today.