Decorating or furnishing your home is a task that needs detailed attention to each and every aspect of furnishings - be it the durability, the aesthetic sense or the appropriate price range. While choosing the furniture people generally opt for furniture that is durable, requires minimum maintenance and has a reasonable price. Teak furniture has been the choice of many people for ages.
About Teak Wood
The teak trees that belongs to the genus Tectona are tropical hardwood tress which grown about 30-40 meters in height. Teak is essentially a deciduous tree found in southern Asia. Being hard, durable as well as resistant to extreme weather conditions, teak is one of the most popular materials for manufacturing furniture. Teak wood is basically honey-colored however with time and exposure to sun, the color of the wood changes and turns into a silvery gray.
Quality of Teak Wood
While choosing teak furniture it is very important to consider the quality of the teak wood. Basically there exist three main species of teak wood, which you can choose from. These three species are Tectona grandis, Tectona hamiltoniana and Tectona philippinensis. Tectona grandis is found in regions of India and China, Tectona hamiltoniana is a species found in Burma whereas Tectona philippinensis belongs to Philippines. However one important fact is that the species in Burma and Philippines are endangered. Although teak furniture might be expensive, the quality and durability of the wood make it seem like a sound investment, which will be beneficial for a long time.
Types of Teak Furniture
The kinds of furnishings that you can generate from teak are extensive. All sorts of tables can be made from teak. Teak dining tables or a study table in your study room carved out of teak wood can not only add to the aesthetic value but also give you guaranteed durability. Many people use teak wood for outdoor furniture as well, like patio furniture or deck furniture since teak wood can survive the hot sun, is lighter than iron and yet is sturdy enough. The beautiful benches in the parks are also generally made out of teak. Teak wood sun loungers are another popular teak furniture item that is seen along the beaches or even private gardens.
If you are the kind of person who would like to relax outdoors and soak in the sun on a crisp summer evening, then a teak wood sun lounger will be perfect for you. Teak Adirondacks are also a must-have if you are planning to buy teak furniture. These chairs allow you to recline on the chair and also provide wide armrests that provide ample space for food and drinks. In addition to these regular teak wood furniture items, teak accessories can also be a great addition to your home. Serving trays, footrests, or even windowpanes made of teak wood can accentuate the beauty of your home. Teak wood flooring is also quite in vogue.
Maintenance and Cleaning of Teak Furniture
Maintaining teak furniture is not as difficult as maintaining any other wood since teak is resistant to the extreme weather conditions and any other damage. Although the honey colored wood loses its color and turns into a silvery gray color with time, most of the people like to keep their teak furniture in its natural condition. If you are one of those people who would like to preserve their teak from fading, there is an option where you can coat your furniture with a special solution called 'teak sealer' which prevents it from losing its color.
Cleaning teak furniture is easy but one has to use a very mild soap and warm water while cleaning it. In addition, the teak sealer treatment can actually protect your teak furniture from mildew attack. In case you want to clean your furniture to get rid of the graying or to get rid of some stains, there exists an effective process to restore the wood to its normal condition. This involves application of 'teak cleaners', some gentle scrubbing and cleansing with warm water, which restores the color of the teak wood.
