Is Teak Good for Outdoor Furniture? 9 Pros and Cons

Teak wood is a golden or soft-brown hardwood native to Southern Asia and parts of Latin America. It is known for its longevity and weather resistance and is a great ally against termites. But is it good for outdoor furniture? 

Teak wood is good for outdoor furniture because it’s long-lasting, beautiful, sustainable, resists heat and cold, and is easy to work with. However, it is expensive and has low availability. It can cause allergic reactions. It can damage tools, and it’s hard to find high-quality teak wood. 

Keep reading to find out all the advantages and disadvantages of teak wood. We discuss all the pros and cons so you can make the right choice for your outdoor furniture.

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Pros of Using Teak Wood for Outdoor Furniture 

Teak wood has many positive traits. Its natural resistance to elements makes it a go-to option for outdoor furniture. It is even used for ships and boatbuilding thanks to its many properties. 

Here we discuss all the pros of using teak wood for your outdoor furniture. 

Teak Wood Is a Long-lasting Option

Many experts consider teak wood the gold standard when it comes to rot resistance. Its heartwood, the inner part of the tree trunk, is very durable. It also resists insects, especially termites, better than most hardwoods.

Last update on 2023-06-16 at 00:19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Not only that, but teak wood is naturally resistant to many acids and alkalis. This makes it a great choice for outdoor furniture because it can withstand any climate and weather conditions. 

There are many antique furniture and statement pieces made of teak. They have not shrunk or lost their original quality. This shows that the wood is durable and can maintain its appearance and functionality over time. 

If you want long-lasting outdoor furniture, then teak wood could be an excellent choice. 

Teak Wood Is Beautiful 

The wood from the Burmese teak is naturally gorgeous. Its grain is usually straight, and its texture varies from wood to wood. It has a beautiful golden shade that ages slowly if exposed to the elements.

This means that teak furniture retains its original shade. It can be a good choice if your top priority is the aesthetics of your outdoor furniture. 

Teak Wood Is Sustainable 

Burmese teak is a type of tree that grows naturally in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It can also grow in plantations in South America and parts of Africa. 

Many industries use teak wood. However, it is still a sustainable option. It does not appear in the CITES (Convention in International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) appendices. It also does not appear on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. 

These organizations decide which species are endangered or unsustainable options. Because it is not a protected species, you can buy teak furniture without endangering the environment. 

Teak Wood Is Resistant to Heat and Cold

Not many people know that teak wood furniture will not get too hot in summer or too cold in winter. It remains cool to the touch and is preferable to hot metal or sticky plastic. 

Teak outdoor furniture remains at a comfortable temperature that doesn’t burn the skin, make you sweat, or cause pain. This makes it a perfect option for outdoor furniture like benches or chairs.

Teak Wood Is Easy to Work With

Many hardwoods are difficult to shape because of their density. However, teak wood does not fit this category. It absorbs paint and stains well and does not require a large amount of time to treat. 

This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor furniture because you can create intricate shapes and add color. The color does not fade a lot over time, even if the furniture is exposed to direct sunlight. It is also a highly stiff wood, so it doesn’t require much maintenance. However, it will take on a silverish color with time if it is not properly cared for. 

You should apply regular coats of protective varnish to keep teak wood furniture in good condition. We recommend the Bare Decor Premium Golden Teak Oil. You should also lightly sand and polish the furniture regularly. 

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Cons of Using Teak Wood for Outdoor Furniture

Teak is great, but there are disadvantages to its use that you need to know before choosing it for your outdoor furniture. Let’s take a look at all the cons of using teak wood. 

Teak Wood Is Very Expensive

Even if it grows naturally in many parts of the world, teak wood is still an expensive choice. It is widely used, making the demand for fine teak wood higher than the supply.

Teak wood is considered one of the most expensive hardwoods and woods on the market. 

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, we can recommend Shorea wood. 

Teak Wood Has Low Availability

Teak wood grows naturally in many parts of the world, but it also grows slowly. Farmers harvest teak trees after anywhere between 20 and 80 years. The average age of harvesting is 40 years. This means that new plantations do not become profitable for a long time. 

This also contributes to the high cost of teak wood. It is in high demand and difficult to start new plantations, so this drives up the price. 

Teak Wood Can Cause Some Allergic Reactions 

As is the case with many fine kinds of wood, the dust produced by teak wood is a sensitizer. It means that working with teak wood can produce symptoms like asthma, red eyes, and others in some people and breeds of dogs. 

So, if you suffer from allergies, have this in mind before choosing teak wood furniture. It would be best if you also took the proper considerations before working with it. You may need to wear protective gear like goggles, gloves, and a respirator. 

Teak Wood Can Damage Tools

Although it is easy to work with, teak wood presents a problem for woodworking tools. Its natural oils contain a high level of a substance called silica. This can create a blunting effect on the cutting edges. 

If you are making teak wood furniture from scratch, you should clean your tools after use. You might like to sharpen them regularly to keep them in good working order. 

It Is Difficult to Find High-Quality Teak Wood

Because teak wood has low availability, some providers might not sell you the teak wood from a properly grown tree. This makes wood in the market unreliable, as hardwoods need their time to grow and become strong before being used for any woodworking project. 

We recommend you always go to a reliable provider and have an expert check on the wood before buying it. Teak wood furniture must be made from fully grown and structurally-sound wood. 

Conclusion

There are advantages and disadvantages to any wood in the market. Still, we believe teak wood is a great choice for outdoor furniture. It is a resistant option, sustainable, easy to work with, and overall high-quality wood. 

To recap, here’s the list of cons of using teak wood for your outdoor furniture: 

• Teak wood is long-lasting 
• Teak wood is beautiful
• Teak wood is sustainable
• Teak wood resists heat and cold
• Teak wood is easy to work with

Here is the list of the disadvantages:

• Teak wood is very expensive
• Teak wood has low availability
• Teak wood can cause some allergic reactions
• Teak wood can damage woodworking tools
• It is difficult to find high-quality teak wood

Sources

• The Wood Database: Teak Wood 
• Eco Outdoor: What Are the Pros and Cons of Teak for Outdoor Furniture?
• GetRit: Advantages of Teak Wood Furniture
• DoorFlip: Teak Furniture Pros and Cons
• Wikipedia: Teak
• IUCN Red List: Home
• CITES: What is CITES?
• Farmfolio: Rotation and Thinning in Teak Plantations
• C&en: What is an allergy sensitizer, and how does a chemical become one?