Wooden Outdoor Furniture

You are contemplating your first purchase of Teak Furniture and you are wondering if you are making the right decision? Well, you are and in this quick article, I will explain why I believe that.If you already use Teak Wood in some of your favorite outdoor furniture, then this article will just be fun information for you to know and share with your friends when they ask you, “why did you buy Teak Wood” versus?.

It is no surprise, or it should not be, that Teak Wood has been the favored wood for generations. The secrets of this wood are out and they have been for a long, long time.

First, a little history lesson:

It is not a well known fact, but is has been written that the Chinese have been renowned sailors for generations. Many of their ships were built and designed to not only sail in the oceans, but also to move up river. Much of the trade then, was done several thousand miles up river and not out in the ocean. These ships needed to be versatile, durable, and tough.

The wood used to build these early Chinese ships was Teak. It is also said that the Chinese shipbuilders would bury the wood logs in moist soil for years prior to building their ships. This made the wood much stronger and impervious to anything that could be encountered on the high seas,including enemies. Why was this important? It was important because approx. 600 years ago the Chinese were set out on a task by the Ming dynasty to sail to the edge of the world. Apparently they circumnavigated the world several times. But this is going off to another subject. Let’s get back to the subject at hand (I’ll bet you didn’t know that you would actually be learning something too?).

Later in years, British naval ships were made from Oak, also a very hard and durable wood. The British encountered two problems with oak: Wood Worms and a lack of Oak trees. Woodworms were destroying the ships in the British Naval Fleet. Woodworms were the scourge of wooden ships throughout history. It could take 850 oak logs to repair one ship. It took a little over 2000 oak logs just to build one ship. The British needed ships as they continued for some time to have maritime issues with the French and to be able to go on to conquer and take control of British colonies. The British naval fleet was their primary means to accomplish this.

The Oak supply in Europe was being quickly depleted. They knew about the Teak wood used on the Chinese ships and how rugged they were after having run into them, literally in the shipping lanes. The British had learned how impervious these ships were to all of the elements at sea: Saltwater, ocean wind, and the blistering sun. It was also learned then that Teak was found to not to splinter when hit by gunfire or artillery fire. This was a very important issue as splintering wood was the chief cause of casualties among naval warfare in the eighteenth century.

Britain was very interested to grow and produce this wood. The British quickly realized they did not need to grow Teak Wood as they could annex those countries where the Teak wood was grown and have a plentiful supply. India, Thailand and Burma were quickly annexed into the British empire. It is not to say this is why the British took over these areas, but it certainly helped to give reason. Myanmar (formerly Burma), which is just south of India, and Yangoon became the first places where Teak was being harvested for British ships. Calcutta was set up as another British shipbuilding site. All of the British merchant ships built in Calcutta were built with Myanmar Teak logs which were said to be the best. Once the wood was depleted from India, logs were harvested from Thailand and Burma.

Teak forests were quickly being depleted. Teak was now the preferred wood used for building ships, Yachts, Ocean liners and furniture. Under ocean conditions, the wood had very little shrinkage or warpage. This meant little maintenance. The wood was also impervious to wood rot and insects, like the mighty woodworm. The famous Ocean liner “Queen Mary” used no less than 1000 tons of teak when built. The British quickly realized the depletion that was taking place and developed a re-forestation plan. They appointed a leader to head this new bureau and began replanting Teak trees on what are now called Teak “plantations”. A set of very strict laws were enacted regarding who can cut Teak Wood and who can purchase it. Once these laws were set in place, one needed to have permission from the British Government to be able to cut a Teak Tree down and or export it.

Teak was also being used by the locals for huts, fence posts, and furniture. India is the third largest importer of Teak today, behind China and Japan. As much as 80% of India’s timber consumption is Teak. The wood is used in India today for local consumption; building homes, furniture, fencing, etc. It is the one wood that can withstand the monsoons, the blistering heat and the humidity. It is the wood that all other timber species are compared to.

Teak Wood contains natural oil and Silica (sand) which makes it impervious to insects, and wood rot. These substances also help it to maintain it luster for many, many years, but make it a little more difficult for the manufactures as their blades tend to dull sooner.

When many of the English ships of WWII were taken apart for salvage, the Teak Wood decks were re-manufactured into outdoor furniture like park benches. Even today they can be seen in many parts of Europe still functioning.

Most of the Teak grown today is grown on Plantations that are governed by the local governments. The demand for Teak is growing at an estimated 10% per year. Teak is a heavily regulated (and rightfully so) commodity, and is sold through the auction process. Teak is not very easy to get. There are regulatory permits that must be purchased and other expenses that go along with regulation. For example, once purchased, it is usually the purchasing companies’ responsibility to provide transportation if the wood is to be exported and certain countries have regulations on how many logs can be exported. Currently, Java, Indonesia is the largest exporter of Teak. There are several companies that are located in Java that will process and fashion the Teak into furniture, or planks for flooring or siding, and then export the finished item or semi finished item to countries around the world.

Teak grows very rapidly but still takes approx. 50 years to mature. Many countries are reviewing the possible rotation after 30 or 40 years. This is mainly due to the large demand for Teak. The consensus with this rotation is that the wood will not be inferior at that rate. There are some countries that are trying tree rotation after only 25 years. The results are timber that is smaller in diameter, color, and grain.

So, when add it all up, you get a much better understanding not only of what the hype about Teak Wood is all about, but the numerous qualities of Teak Wood and the supply and demand side of Teak Wood.

Many people for generations have been enjoying the warm benefits of owning Teak Wood products. Outdoor Teak Wood furniture is a Standard for many families and in many gardens, terraces, patios, verandas, ships, and yachts around the world. If you are investing in outdoor furniture, you really owe it to yourself to step into the world of Teak.

Furniture, whether inside or outside the house, adds the required charm to the four bland brick and mortar walls. Outdoor furniture is not meant to be the scrap that indoor furniture has turned into after so many years of usage. Your outdoor furniture not only adds value to the quality of life but also enables you to enjoy nature, with extreme comfort. The variety and quality of outdoor furniture available in the market belies the claims of conservationists who tend to hold the opinion about primacy of indoor furniture. From plastic to wicker to wood to metals, outdoor furniture is available in every material.

Buying and maintaining parameters for outdoor furniture are quite different from indoor furniture. This article aims to provide you with all the basic dos and don’ts while dealing with outdoor furniture.

The first step, of course, is to decide upon the material you prefer in your outdoor furniture. If opting for wooden furniture, Amish made furniture can be an ideal choice for indoor furniture but woods like redwood, teak, balau, cypress, eucalyptus and white oak are naturally suited for outdoor furniture. These woods are insect and rot-resistant that is vital for any outdoor furniture article. These woods have also shown sufficient signs of weather resistance. Ideally, your choice of outdoor furniture depends a great deal on the weather prevalent in your area. Weather can be the biggest enemy of outdoor furniture. Rains, heat and dust could create havoc for a delicate furniture item. If the weather is mild and pleasant, even carefully crafted Amish handcrafted furniture can be given a try. Amish furniture adds gloss to your outdoors and lends grace to your indoors! The general features for outdoor wooden furniture include substantial look and feel, ease of cleaning, periodic maintenance and always cool to touch.

If your choice is wicker furniture for your outdoors, then Rattan vine is the usual material used in making some exotic wicker chairs and tables. The general features for outdoor wicker furniture includes – lightweight, comfortable, tight uniform weave with no splinters, distinctive look and use of some synthetic material like resin.

If your choice is metallic furniture, then aluminum is your best friend for outdoor comforts. Good aluminum furniture will give out a unique look and is also extremely light weight being made of hollow aluminum tubes. Aluminum furniture come either in wrought aluminum or cast aluminum, and both are equally good. The general features for outdoor aluminum furniture includes – durability, rust-free, lightweight, weather-resistant, formal and easy to maintain.

Plastic furniture is also gaining grounds these days more due to its cost-effectiveness than good looks.

Do not forget to keep the budget on outdoor furniture under check. Generally, your outdoors should not look overcrowded with furniture stuffed in every nook and corner. Few but unique furniture items on the outdoors is the ideal approach. Never go by the beauty of the furniture article. Your requirements always come first. So, it’s always handy to have your requirements in mind before you set foot to buy outdoor furniture.

Maintenance of outdoor furniture is another yardstick that should be given due regard. Wood and aluminum furniture comes on top for the maintenance criterion. A good polish or varnish can easily prolong the life of outdoor furniture.

Looking for a chair or chaise lounge to throw in your truck or the trunk of your car to take to the beach or on a picnic, consider cheap patio furniture so you are not hauling your quality pieces to exotic lands. If something happens to the cheap patio furniture such as being broken during a pick up football game or stolen, you will suffer the inconvenience of losing it, but the expense will not be as great.Additionally, some of the cheap patio furniture is pretty comfortable and can be used at home around the campfire, for sitting in the sun by the pool or just lounging around the yard reading the newspaper or your favorite book. Many people question the need to spend a great deal of money on furniture they may not use very often and leave sit out in the rain.

Those with large families may have a fairly expensive set of patio furniture that leave on their deck or patio as well as pieces of cheap patio furniture to carry into the yard or to use when others are present for gatherings. During most outings, setting up cheap patio furniture for additional guests to use is not usually noticed, as most are just happy not to have to stand up and hold their paper plate.

Comparing Price, Function Versus Comfort

The majority of people who buy cheap patio furniture do so for the function of the furniture and not the look. Even those who can easily afford more expensive or luxurious outdoor furniture will choose to buy cheap patio furniture due to its use. Most will provide a degree of comfort for the short time it will be used and provides a place to sit at a cheap price.

As a second set of outdoor furniture, cheap patio furniture is often called into service when visiting others for an outdoor event. You may be asked to bring your own chair and most pieces of cheap patio furniture can be easily folded and placed in your trunk. When the party is over you take them back home for the next time. Using straps, web or solid vinyl or plastic seats and backs the cheaper furniture is usually easier to clean as well.

Being able to keep your cheap patio furniture stored outside is another plus, leaving storage space open for other, more expensive outdoor items. Most of it will last two or more years, making the investment worth the money.

If you are looking for the perfect piece of furniture that is comfortable, versatile, and makes a great place to relax, a hammock chair may be just what you need. They are a fun way relax and can be used both indoors or outside. No matter if you want to relax in your back yard, in your living room, or while traveling, a hammock chair can be the perfect solution. They can be used almost anywhere because they are lightweight which makes them great to take along while traveling. A hammock chair is a great place to relax indoors while waiting for spring because it will remind you of many lazy afternoons spent lounging outside. When the weather does improve, your hammock chair will easily transition outside because they are easy to hang and move making them a great choice no matter where you are.

Hammock chairs can be made of a few different materials including rope and fabric. There are many different styles to choose from so you are sure to be able to find one that fits both your tastes and décor. Rope hammock chairs can be made from cotton or synthetic rope. Cotton rope is softer and more comfortable than synthetic rope but synthetic will stand up to the elements better if left outdoors for prolonged periods. No matter what material your rope hammock chair is made of, it will offer plenty of ventilation in the heat. Fabric hammock chairs are also very comfortable but tend to be heavier than rope ones. Fabric hammock chairs are also not as well suited to the abuse of the elements and should be used indoors or takes in during inclement weather.

Most people consider durability when purchasing any type of furniture and the same should be true for hammock chairs. The one you choose must be able to support your weight and if you intend to share your seat it must also be able to support the added weight of another person. They will come with a weight rating so be sure to check it before you buy. You should also be sure to hang your hammock chair from a sturdy surface that will support the weight.

Of course you will want your hammock chair to be beautiful and fit your style and fortunately they come in many different styles and designs. You can find styles that range from simple and subdued to loud and colorful. They are a great way to add style to any room or outdoor space. Many hammock chairs are designed with creativity and style in mind as well as comfort and durability.

Hammock chairs make a great seating solution both indoors and out. They are an inexpensive and creative way to add more seating to your home and are bound to become your favorite spot to relax. A hammock chair will also allow you to bring your favorite seat with you no matter where travel to and they are great for lounging on the beach or lounging in front of the TV.