Teak Furniture
Outdoor Furniture
More Information
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Teak
Furniture versus Shorea Furniture
is
there really a difference between the two? |
We
consider ourselves experts in outdoor furniture crafted with teakwood
and we're here to educate you a little more about the origins of both
Shorea and Teak - how they are similar and how are they different.
First,
we represent the finest manufacturers making both types of
furniture. Kingsley-Bate is the leader, and the first
American company to use Javanese teak in the manufacture of its
furniture. Oxford Garden leads the way in creating fine
Shorea outdoor furniture. We are proud to carry both types of
products and hope this information is helpful and guides you in the
right direction.
Our
teak patio
furniture, from the Tectona grandis group, is harvested from
carefully controlled plantations in Indonesia - mostly in Java.
The Indonesian government allows the felling of a limited
number of trees each year, and ensures that an equal amount of
reforestation takes place. These controlled plantations are in place to
make sure the country's natural resources are not depleted.
On the other hand, Shorea wood, from the Balau group, grows
naturally and plentifully in the Pacific Rim countries. Strict
regulations are also in force but the abundance of Shorea
makes it less costly than teakwood.
Teakwood
is lighter and less dense than Shorea - 37 lbs/3ft of Teak
versus 49 lbs/3ft of Shorea. This means Shorea
is heavier and harder than teak. For example, you
can see the difference in weight with our teak
bench designs. The same bench crafted with
teakwood may weigh 62lbs versus 77 lbs with Shorea.
Both
woods have an
abundance of naturally occurring oils that make them not only beautiful
but highly resistant to rot, bug infestation and need for maintenance.
As both are exposed to the elements, they will patina to
a silvery gray. It is completely your prerogative how you
want your furniture to age. If you chose to maintain close to
the original color, a
teak protector or teak oil can be used seasonally.
Although
heavier and denser, Shorea has a tendency to check and split
on end-grain areas more than teakwood. This type of
weathering is perfectly normal and will not hinder the
durability
or beauty of the furniture.
Mortise
and tenon joinery is used on all our teak and shorea furniture
to add to the furniture's longevity, strength and beauty. Both types of
outdoor furniture may have designs that require exposed hardware.
Kingsley-Bate and our other teak manufacturers oftentimes use
brass - sometimes stainless steel. Our Shorea furniture will
use stainless steel materials.
As
you read through this information, the questions you need to ask
yourself include:
1.
What is your budget?
2.
How much splitting and checking is okay?
3.
Does it matter to you if one wood is more available than
the other?
These
answers will guide you into the right direction. We
carry the entire lines of all our manufacturers and as you page through
our site, you may find a design detail that you adore that's not
available in both types of wood. All these things must be
taken into consideration. We know either way you choose, you
will be pleased with the new look the furniture will bring to your
patio.
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