FAQ

Outdoor Furniture

What kind of wood is teak (Tectona grandis)?

Known in some circles as the 'Prince of Hardwoods', or the 'Rich Man's Wood', Teak is a close grained hardwood with high natural oil and rubber content. It is one of the hardest, strongest and most durable of all timbers, highly resistant to rotting and almost impervious to the effects of sun, rain, frost or snow. These characteristics combine to make it the ideal timber for all outdoor applications. It has been the number one choice of boat builders for centuries.

Are all hardwoods as durable as teak?

Many other hardwoods are used for outdoor furniture and, in fact, a lot are even marked as "teak substitutes". This is a deception. There is no substitute for teak and no other hardwood will perform to the same high standard as teak furniture in outdoor conditions.

Where does your teak come from?

We use Javanese teak in the manufacture of our furniture. The first plantations on the island of Java were planted by the Dutch, who were the colonial power at the time, in the mid 1800's, making them some of the oldest teak farms in the world. These plantations are now owned by the Indonesian government agency Perum Perhutani, who is responsible for the control of these teak farms. They allow the felling of only a limited number of trees each year and the reforestation of these farms.

How does teak weather?

When you receive your teak furniture it will be in its natural state which is a honey / brown color and can often appear to be polished. The polished appearance comes from oil occurring naturally in the wood. The oil on the surface will evaporate after a few days outdoors. It is the oil that remains below the surface that gives the wood its durability. Left to age naturally outside the furniture will turn a handsome silver grey color. This process will take approximately 9-12 months depending on the amount of ultraviolet light and the rain the teak is exposed to. Teak is a natural material and as such, fine cracks in the end grain of components may appear and then disappear with changes in atmospheric conditions. Such fine cracks are normal, especially in heavier components e.g. arms and legs, and will not affect the life or durability of your furniture.

Should I oil my teak?

Treating your furniture with oil will not extend the life of your furniture. It is purely cosmetic. In fact, we do not recommend oiling as it results in unnecessary maintenance.

How do I preserve teak's original honey/brown color?

If you want to preserve the color of your teak furniture, a teak sealer is recommended. Teak sealers are usually solvent based with water like viscosity containing mold, ultraviolet light and moisture protection. A variety of shades are available if you want other than the natural color. Sealers are easy to apply and are generally applied every 6-12 months. If you choose to use a sealer we recommend you visit a marine store and purchase speciality teak products as used on boats.

How do I clean my furniture?

Teak requires very little maintenance apart from the occasional scrub with a mild solution of soapy water to remove accumulated dirt. This is followed by a rinse with clean water. To remove grease spots, a light scrub with a degreasing agent is recommended. This is followed by a rinse with clean water. (This is why teak garden furniture is so perfect.)

If you want to remove the silver-grey patina and restore the furniture to its original color use a teak cleaner which can be purchased from a marine store.

Do I need to store my furniture over the winter?

No, teak furniture can be left outdoors uncovered all 12 months of the year, no matter where you live. If you choose to cover your teak furniture during winter, use a material that allows the wood to breathe.
Teak patio furniture can be left outdoors all year long. If you put your furniture away for the winter, do not store it in a heated room because this can dry out the wood and can cause cracks. The wood expands and contracts with changes in the weather. Some of the joints are not glued, like the slats in the back of chairs. Some expanding and contracting of wood joints is normal. From time to time you many need to tighten the fasteners. As the wood ages, small checks or cracks may appear on the surface, this is normal and doesn’t affect the durability of the furniture. These are not imperfections. Remember you are buying a natural product.

How is your furniture constructed?

Our furniture is crafted using timeless techniques including mortise and tenon joinery, epoxy glues and solid brass fittings. The furniture, when finished, is sanded with extra fine sandpaper to achieve a silky-smooth finish. Our quality control is exceptional and our craftsmanship is of the highest quality.

Do you kiln dry the teak?

Yes, this enables us to craft accurately. It also ensures the stability of the finished furniture in a number of environments.

Are there different grades of teak?

Most definitely. We use only the highest quality solid teak in our furniture, often referred to as grade A, super grade A or triple A grade. Lesser manufacturers can use teak veneer. A number of manufactures use B or C grade teak which is teak with imperfections, often in the form of small holes. Fillers are used to fill these imperfections then an oil or stain is used to hide the filler or cover the black or white wood or "eyes" (knots) in this lesser grade of teak. Be aware whenever you see teak with oil or stain on it. In this inferior product, cheap glue, steel screws, external screw heads and inferior construction methods are used.

Do you ship out of state?

Yes, we can ship out of state. Please contact us at 1-866-937-TEAK (8325) to place your order. We prefer our customers to visit one of our warehouses to view our superior quality. We are manufactures and wholesalers and specialize in volume sales.

If we purchase from your warehouse does your furniture come in kit set form?

No, our furniture is fully assembled ready to use.

Where are your distribution warehouses located in California?

Redondo Beach (Los Angeles), Fountain Valley (Orange County), Monrovia and San Diego.

If we purchase from out of Southern California where you do not have a warehouse does the furniture come in kit set form?

Most models are fully assembled e.g. chairs, tables, benches, etc would normally come unassembled due to the volumetric nature of shipping them assembled.

How long before we can have our new furniture delivered to our home?

In some instances that very same day. We have teak furniture stored, assembled, and ready to sell... over 90,000 sq.ft. of it!

Do you do custom production?

Yes, but only in commercial quantities. The cost of prototyping and retooling machines are not economical unless quantities are greater than 200 on simple models and greater than 500 on complex models.

Did we see your furniture on CSI Miami?

Yes, you did!
And we have also supplied...

Hyatt
Marriott
Sheraton
La Costa Resort and Spa
Rancho La Puerta
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Hotel Del Coronado
The Georgian Hotel
The Saxon Hotel Miami
PGA West
Whistling Straights Golf Course
Troon Golf Courses
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
The Beachcomber
Coldstone Creamery
Sony Picture Studio
The O.C.
Huka Lodge
Kauri Cliffs
Cape Kidnappers
Treetops Lodge
Air New Zealand

What is your warranty?

Residential Warranty:

TEAK WAREHOUSE warrants to the original purchaser that our teak garden furniture is free of defects in material or workmanship. In the unlikely case there is a defect we will repair or replace the furniture. This warranty does not cover furniture that has been modified, intentional or accidental damage, misused, abused or neglected, or force majeure. We are not liable for weathering, checking on the end grain or normal wear and tear due to usage or for improper assembly if the furniture is purchased flat-packed. We will replace and/or repair parts at no cost to the customer at the customer's location of purchase.
Warranties are limited to one year for residential use by the original purchaser.