4 Tips for How to Protect Teak Outdoor Furniture
Teak furniture is a beautiful addition to your patio or deck. Teak furniture comes in a multitude of styles and shapes to suit any taste and outdoor space. However, without proper teak furniture maintenance, teak furniture may not last and look beautiful year after year.
One of the reasons that teak wood is so popular for outdoor furniture is its natural moisture-resistant properties. Teak contains natural oils which repel water, so it won’t rot if left out in the rain like most other woods. But this oil will start to dry out, especially if the furniture is left in hot, direct sunlight season after season.
When this oil starts to evaporate, the wood will start to fade to a rather unpleasant grey tone. It may also crack and splinter, making the outdoor furniture eventually unusable. But if you’re wondering how to protect teak outdoor furniture, there are solutions.
1. Can Teak Furniture Stay Outdoors Year-Round?
The general answer to this question is yes – teak wood is designed to be weather-proof, and this type of furniture is usually designed for year-round weather conditions. But this doesn’t mean that teak outdoor furniture doesn’t require any maintenance or upkeep.
Impurities in the air often leave traces on teak furniture and can even damage the structural integrity of the wood over time. More often, pollutants such as salt-water vapor, plant algae, and chemicals in rainwater blacken or darken teak and leave blotches and streaks on its surface. Direct sunlight also erodes untreated wood, drying it out and making it grey and splintery.
Should I Clean My Teak Outdoor Furniture?
Yes, you will want to clean off your furniture regularly to keep the wood in pristine condition. You can do this by using a teak cleaning product or mild soap and water. You should only use soft bristle brushes or rags to clean the furniture so it doesn’t get scratched. Make sure to dry the wood as quickly as possible with a dry towel.
What Can I Do to Make My Outdoor Teak Furniture Last Long?
Teak wood is super low maintenance, but you should do all you can to keep it in pristine condition. Be sure to quickly blot up any spills or water pools from rainfall so it doesn’t damage or stain the wood. Avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals or tools like steel wool or power washers near the wood. And finally, place cushions and covers on your outdoor furniture to protect it from the harsh sun rays.
2. Can You Restore Old Teak Wood Furniture?
Now, you may be thinking: “What if my furniture isn’t new? Is it too late?” Older teak wood outdoor furniture that is faded or weathered is not beyond hope. You can often restore this type of wood to look nearly as good as new!
Depending on the damage done to the teak furniture, you may be able to restore the furniture to its original condition. Even furniture that is super weathered and grey can be restored to a beautiful golden brown if you handle it right.
The reason that teak outdoor furniture fades is that the natural oils dry up. One would think that replenishing that oil would be the best way to restore teak wood – but this is not necessarily the case.
Does Teak Furniture Need to be Treated with Teak Oil?
Many teak products on the market claim to restore outdoor furniture by using oil to condition the wood. However, teak oil can actually damage your outdoor furniture even more.
This is because the oil used in most of these products is made from low-quality ingredients that are absorbed into the wood. Those additives deplete the natural oil even more and cause mold and mildew to form on the wood. It also does not get rid of any weathered grey tones, and it can weaken the wood.
To get rid of the grey color, you’ll likely need to sand down the top layer and add a sealant. Wood seals help to nourish the wood and add a protective layer to prevent further fading or wear.
How Do I Apply Teak Sealer?
The sealers that we use for outdoor teak furniture help reverse any weathering damage and restore the color to its natural tone. Teak sealants also lock in the natural oils in the wood and protect it from UV damage.
The first step will be to sand away the top layer of the wood safely. You can’t use too harsh of a sander, as this could damage the wood. You’ll also want to clean the wood and let it dry completely.
Next, you’ll apply a thin coat of teak wood sealer with a cloth, sponge, brush, or paint sprayer. You want to make sure this coat is even on all surfaces and let it try for a few hours. Additional coats may then be applied if needed.
The teak sealer may or may not change the color of the furniture. Clear coats will have no tint, while others will help bring out the wood’s natural color a bit more. However, tinted varieties can be harder to apply since the coats need to be applied perfectly evenly.
Fortunately, the experts at Teak & Deck Professionals have the right techniques and products to restore teak furniture to its original beauty completely. We use custom teak sealers to lock in wood’s moisture and beauty, so it looks nearly new for years to come.
3. What’s the Best Method for Restoring Teak Outdoor Furniture?
Some people try to refinish teak furniture themselves. This is, of course, an option, but when you try to refinish your teak furniture, you may find that you do not have the right products or techniques. Plus, it’s easy to damage the wood if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Teak wood can get scratched, which could cause mold or rot to form. The sealant also needs to be carefully applied to create a thin, even coat. If you don’t apply teak sealer correctly, it could cause uneven staining, or it may not be as effective at protecting the wood.
Sometimes, it is better to allow a professional like Teak & Deck restoration services to handle your teak deck furniture restoration. We will handle the job from start to finish, from cleaning and sanding down your furniture to priming and sealing the wood to your desired finishing color.
4. How Else Can I Protect My Outdoor Teak Furniture?
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Staying up with routine maintenance with your teak wood furniture can help to prolong its life and keep it in great condition. The great news is that it doesn’t take much to care for teak – so just a little bit of effort goes a long way.
After sealing, outdoor teak furniture needs to be maintained regularly. First, you should keep up with regular cleaning, generally at the beginning of summer and before winter begins. You’ll want to wash away any layers of dust, pollen, and dirt to keep the color vibrant.
Next, you’ll want to seal your wood furniture every 6 to 12 months. This ensures that your wood will be totally protected, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather like high heat, heavy snow, or excessive rainfall.
Regularly cleaning and re-sealing the wood keeps it looking great. But, there are so many factors that determine the proper maintenance schedule that it is pretty difficult to stick to it on your own. To make it easier on yourself, you can leave your outdoor furniture maintenance to Teak & Deck Professionals.
We calculate the right amount of time between treatments by observing where the furniture is placed, the amount of sun, rain, and wind to which it is exposed, and other factors that determine the proper schedule. We’ll handle all of the work, from sanding the outer layers to resealing as often as needed.
With regular maintenance and reapplication, there is no reason why your teak furniture cannot last for generations.
Over to You
Outdoor teak furniture can elevate any patio, porch, and backyard – but it can also start to look pretty terrible if you don’t care for the wood. Thankfully, there are ways to restore teak furniture and keep it looking fantastic season after season.
You can rely on Teak & Deck Professionals for expert restoration and sealing of your teak patio furniture. We service the Southern California area and provide teak restoration, refinishing, and furniture maintenance to cover all of your needs!
We can help you keep your furniture looking great – contact us today to learn more.
