How to Treat Teak Furniture
Teak is one of the most easy-going woods, requiring little maintenance throughout the year to keep it looking it’s best. This is why it’s such a popular choice for garden furniture!
If you’re thinking of investing in a teak garden set, or you want to know how to take care of your existing furniture, we have you covered. From treating your teak to whether you should paint, varnish or stain your teak, let’s get started.
Do I need to treat my teak furniture?
Technically, you don’t need to treat your teak as it’s naturally oily and resistant to outdoor weather. However, applying a teak treatment will help maintain the rich brown colour of your furniture. As teak ages, it begins to turn to a silver-grey colour. This shade is just as beautiful as the brown, but it’s all about personal preference.
We don’t recommend using any form of teak oil on your garden furniture. Using these oils can actually destroy the naturally occurring protective oils that come from the wood. If you do decide to oil your teak, this then needs to be a continuous process to stop the wood from drying out.
What treatments can I use on my teak furniture?
If you are looking to treat your teak, we recommend using a water based solution such as a teak sealer or protector. These options will protect the wood’s natural oils, as well as help maintain the rich brown colour.
Should I paint my teak furniture?
We may be biased but why would you want to paint such a stunning wood? Painting teak will hide the natural brown hue that is what makes this wood so special. On a technical note, the high oil content in teak will also make it difficult to paint or apply any other decorative finishes to the wood.
If you’re determined to paint your new teak furniture, we would advise leaving it to weather for at least 6-8 weeks to allow the natural oils to come to the surface. Ensure that the wood is properly prepared, ideally with an aluminium oxide primer.
Can I seal teak furniture?
Yes. As long as you use a water-based wood sealer you are able to effectively seal your teak furniture. This is a great way to ensure that your teak does not get damaged by any food or drink spills. You can simply wipe with a damp cloth after an outdoor meal.
Should I polish teak garden furniture?
We would avoid using polishes, oils or varnishes on your teak garden furniture. As well as leaving an unnatural looking coating on your teak, the high oil content in the wood makes it hard for these substances to affix to the surface. This could lead to flaking or peeling.
Looking for more help and advice on teak outdoor furniture? Our experts have you covered. Take a look at our extensive Teak Furniture Buying Guide or our helpful Teak Furniture Cleaning Guide for more information.