How to Restore Teak Garden Furniture

Anyone that invests in teak garden furniture can expect it last for some time.

A hard-wearing wood, teak garden furniture can be left outside without worrying about damage from the rain or sun, while the strength of the wood ensures it doesn’t lose it shape over time.

Simply put, teak is an incredible material for outdoor furniture as it almost guarantees longevity.

Short of accidently breaking it - which would take some effort in any case - there is almost no reason teak furniture cannot survive decades in your garden.

However, as such as long-lasting material, teak does see some minor changes to its appearance. This is rarely viewed as a bad thing, with many owners of teak furniture opting to keep the sliver-patina tone of older teak, although some do prefer the natural golden-honey shade.

The changes are purely aesthetic, as darker teak is in no way weaker. Should you prefer the natural colour of teak but your furniture as changed, there are some simple ways to restore it. Some people also want to restore their teak furniture as it has become weatherworn, as moulds can develop on the surface when left uncleaned.

Thankfully, restoring teak garden furniture couldn’t be easier. Here’s everything you need to know:

Avoid using teak oil

Teak oils sold by retailers aren’t the same as teak oil present in the wood. Some people don’t realise this, and buy it to restore the brighter colour of their furniture. While this does work, the effects are only temporary, as the greying will eventually return.

It also results in more mildew in many instances, while black spots can also develop on the surface because of store-bought teak oil. So, it’s best to avoid using teak oil to restore your furniture!

Sanding the surface

The simplest way to restore the surface of teak garden furniture is to give it a light sand. Using 80-grit sand paper, slowly sand down the surface of the effected furniture. This helps to remove the wear-worn surface and the patina colour, as the teak below the surface is still a honey-colour.

After using a teak cleaner (see below) you might want to use a finer sandpaper for a really smooth finish to the surface.

Cleaning the surface

To really make the surface of your newly sanded teak furniture pop, take the time to give it a good clean. Start by rinsing the surface area after you sand it down, after which a suitable teak clean should be worked into the surface using a bristled brush.

Leave for a short while and then rinse off with water. If you can, do this on a dry day so the furniture can be left outside to dry.

5 Reasons to Buy Teak Garden Furniture

Teak is perhaps the best wood available for garden furniture. While there is a wide selection of woods that are suitable for outdoor furniture, there are few - if any - better suited than teak. Stylish and durable, teak has all the properties you could possible hope for in garden furniture.

Let’s take a closer look at five reasons why you should buy teak garden furniture:

Teak is very strong and durable

As a tight-grain wood, teak is incredibly strong yet remains flexible enough to be easily used as material for furniture. Natural oils present inside of teak also contribute to its strength and durability by preventing it from going brittle - a common issue with other woods used for outdoor furniture.

So, not only can teak furniture withstand large weights without warping the wood, the surface will not suffer any damage from constant use. Whether it’s been blown over or had something dropped on it, you can be certain that teak garden furniture won’t break without some serious force.

Teak is highly resistance to weather and rot

The natural properties inside of teak make it a fantastic choice for garden furniture. For example, the rubber present in teak makes it waterproof, meaning it can be left outside in even the worst weather conditions without suffering from any water damage.

As water damage eventually takes its toll on most other types of woods, teak remains one of the best materials for outdoor furniture.

Similarly, the natural oils of teak wood ensure it’s highly resistant to rot, as well as damage caused by wood burrowing insects. Again, these are issues that can be quite problematic for outdoor furniture, highlighting how the natural properties within teak make it such a fine choice.

Teak garden furniture is very low-maintenance

Nothing can be more annoying than having to constant cover your garden furniture or taking the time to paint or varnish it, yet it’s necessary for maintaining its overall condition. There is no such issue with teak garden furniture.

As it’s naturally resistant to the elements, teak can be left uncovered year-round without suffering any sort of wear and tear. It also doesn’t need to be painted or varnished to help make it more resistant to the weather, meaning it can be used as soon as it arrives.

Therefore, the only maintenance that’s really needed is the occasional clean -warm soapy water is fine in most instances!

Teak looks naturally beautiful

There is no denying that teak is a naturally attractive wood. Freshly manufactured teak furniture takes on a gorgeous honey hue, and when left to cure naturally this colour develops into a stunning silver patina.

Of course, if you don’t like the natural tone of the wood you can easily apply a stain or paint to get the desired look - many still enjoy its beautiful natural appearance.

Teak will last many years

Given its strength and durability, there is no question that teak garden furniture is built to last. With a little routine maintenance, you can expect any piece of teak garden furniture to last several years or even decades.

A one-off investment in teak garden furniture means you are essentially buying furniture that can last a lifetime - you never need to buy another piece of furniture again!