Teak Dining Room Furniture

Teak is a variety of tropical hardwood indigenous to the southern and southeastern parts of Asia. Though there are three species, the only type not endangered is Common Teak, from the Tectona Grandis tree. This Common Teak is a plentiful wood that offers a variety of useful attributes for woodworking and other types of construction. Most famous of these qualities is the natural oil present in teak, which protects the wood from all types of weathering and from water damage without the need of additional treatments or coating. Also, teak is a hardwood tree with a dense, strong grain that provides substantial strength and durability. These factors have made the wood highly prized for the crafting of items such as teak dining room furniture.

Teak’s waterproof nature and strength has been taken advantage of in Asia for centuries, where native peoples have built boats, docks, and other aquatic items from the wood. In recent years, however, teak dining room furniture has become very popular in the rest of the world as well. Teak dining room furniture provides an attractive, classic wooden look combined with the strength and durability of a hardwood. Even more desirable, the natural oils in teak dining room furniture make such pieces nearly impervious to age. Teak dining room furniture can and should last for a lifetime with little or no maintenance. This is important to consider when you buy teak dining room furniture because the piece will not wear out or break, giving you a reason to replace it. Be sure any teak dining room furniture you buy will appeal to you over the years, because it isn’t going anywhere.

When in the market for teak dining room furniture, it is essential you know that teak wood comes in different grades of quality. This is because teak becomes stronger and more resilient as it ages; old-growth trees are denser and more pliable than trees that have yet to mature. Also, these older trees have had more time to build up their stock of protective teak oil. Younger teak, while possessing the same attributes to some degree, does not offer the same quality protections as older wood. So when you’re buying teak dining room furniture, be certain that you know what grade teak a piece is made of before you buy. This information is given for every log of teak exported from southern Asia, so expect that a dealer will be able to tell you what grade a piece is made from. Teak dining room furniture made of older wood will be harder to find and more expensive, but it will last longer, be stronger, and resist warping, cracking, and splitting better than younger teak. You have to decide if the added protections are worth the extra cost.

Another important fact about teak dining room furniture is that it’s color changes as the piece ages. This is because of another unique attribute of the teak oils in the wood. As the oils age they change chemically. This doesn’t change the protections the oils offer, but it does change the wood’s color from brown to a silvery gray kind of patina, such as that taken on by old bronze. This aged look is extremely popular, perhaps even more so than the traditional brown of teak dining room furniture. In fact, an entire category of collectable antiques has risen up around this teak patina look. Called Dutch Modernism, it is concerned with teak furniture made in the 1950’s and 60’s, which has aged to this silvery look, and is very popular with contemporary collectors. If you are interested in antique teak dining room furniture, know that there is an entire trading market out there selling such items.

In addition to the protective qualities mentioned above, the oils in teak dining room furniture make it very easy to maintain and clean. As strong wind is about the only thing that can wear on teak wood, teak dining room furniture demands almost no work on part of the owner. The oils in the wood even protect teak dining room furniture from most stains and dirt. Even if your teak dining room furniture is stained by something extreme, such as wine, a simple application of teak oil can remove the stain. This is the same type of oil that occurs naturally in the wood and can be bought at most teak dealers.

Finally, if you are in the market to buy teak dining room furniture you should be aware that in recent years the popularity of teak furniture has resulted in the unscrupulous mislabeling of other woods as genuine teak. Sometimes this is justified by the claim that the advertisement promises only a true “teak look” and not the wood itself. Other woods may offer similar types of attributes and protection. None offer the complete package of real teak, however, so don’t be fooled. If are looking to buy genuine teak dining room furniture be certain that the piece or pieces you buy are built from the real wood and that this wood has a quality grade. The benefits of true teak dining room furniture are worth a little extra time and caution.