| Teak is one of the hardest, strongest and most | | | | maintenance we recommend for your teak |
| durable of all woods, highly resistant to rotting and | | | | furniture is occasional cleaning. This should be done |
| almost impervious to the effect of sun, rain, frost | | | | with a mild soap (such as gentle hand cleaning |
| or snow.These characteristics make it the ideal | | | | soap) and warm water to preserve its natural |
| wood for outdoor furniture as it can be left | | | | elements.For more stubborn stains such as red |
| outside uncovered all 12 months of the year, | | | | wine, a teak cleaner can be used or the stain |
| even in the UK!The first plantations on the island | | | | area can be lightly sanded with fine sandpaper. |
| of Java were planted by the Dutch and are now | | | | You can order teak cleaner from our online store. |
| owned by the Indonesian government. Only a | | | | History of teak/about teak:Teak (Tectona |
| limited number of trees each year are allowed to | | | | grandis), is one of the most valued woods in the |
| be felled and an equal amount of reforestation | | | | world, and grows in areas between the Tropic of |
| ensures there is no detrimental effect to the | | | | Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Teak trees |
| country's natural resources. Faraway Furniture | | | | can grow up to 150 feet tall and have large, |
| only use Teak from PERUM PERHUTANI forestry | | | | leathery, reddish green leaves that are shed in the |
| plantation and we hold a re-forestation certificate | | | | drier months of the year. Teak's sap has natural |
| directly from the Indonesian government.For | | | | anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that make |
| example at Faraway Furniture, we source only | | | | it resistant to parasites and disease. Teak also |
| the best quality heartwood Grade A teak for our | | | | contains rubber and silica, which repel water. The |
| products, made of trees of not less than 80 | | | | wood also has great pliability, making it better able |
| years of age. We only use teak which has been | | | | to withstand high pressure without cracking. This, |
| kiln dried to 8 - 12% moisture levels and we urge | | | | combined with the fact that it is an extremely |
| you to compare our quality of wood with other | | | | heavy wood, with dense fibres that make it |
| manufacturers who often use lower quality Teak | | | | relatively easy to cut and graft, make it one of |
| with a much higher water content. Please be | | | | the finest woods from which to construct |
| aware that low quality Teak (also known as | | | | outdoor furniture.All teak from Indonesia must be |
| sapwood) contains only a fraction of the amount | | | | certified by the government to verify that it |
| of natural oil and rubber. This will mean that all of | | | | comes from an approved source.These strict |
| the necessary attributes of good quality Teak will | | | | environmental laws are saving many natural Teak |
| be absent and the wood is likely to decay and rot | | | | forests.The Teak plantations provide economic |
| within a short space of time. Our furniture can be | | | | and environmental relief. They are the major |
| left outside and with little care will be with you and | | | | source of income for many villages in tropical |
| your family for generations to enjoy.When you | | | | areas. Teak is increasing in value by up to 6% |
| receive your furniture, it will be in its natural state. | | | | every year and has revenue of up to $30,000 US |
| Unless specifically requested, we do not oil our | | | | per trunk, which makes it a very resourceful cash |
| teak as many people prefer the natural colour of | | | | crop.Interesting facts about teak:In the old cave |
| teak wood. Please be aware that pre-oiled teak is | | | | temples of Salsette and elsewhere in Western |
| a common method used by less ethical | | | | India, pieces of teak more than 2000 years old |
| manufacturers to hide the low quality and inferior | | | | have been found in good condition.Teak was most |
| grade of the teak wood.Taking care of your new | | | | sought after for building war ships in the 18 th |
| Teak Furniture: Teak is a unique and durable | | | | century. Apart from being extremely tough and |
| hardwood which requires little or no care.If you | | | | water resistant, it also does not splinter under |
| prefer your teak, like many do, in its natural state | | | | gunfire. Splintering wood was the main cause of |
| which is a graceful silver grey colour, then you | | | | casualties in 18 th century naval warfare.Teak is |
| literally have to do nothing. Teak, unlike other | | | | very dense and cannot float when first cut down. |
| hardwoods, does not need any oiling, staining, | | | | Thus loggers have to girdle the tree and let it dry |
| lacquering or painting to keep healthy and maintain | | | | for up to three years before they can float it to |
| its durability. Treating the teak is only | | | | the mill.Teak leafs are used as sandpaper by locals |
| recommended if you prefer the golden yellow | | | | in the Javanese jungle due to its rough and |
| colour of the wood. Whether to oil or not, is | | | | extremely tough surface.Faraway Furniture are |
| purely a personal choice, doing either will not harm | | | | Teak Garden Furniture experts, so please contact |
| or detract from the strength or durability of the | | | | them at for more details, products and |
| wood and will not affect our warranty.The only | | | | information. |