| Wood Types Javanese Teak Javanese Teak is a close grained hardwood with high natural oil and rubber content. It is one of the hardest, strongest and most durable of all woods, highly resistant to rotting and almost impervious to the effects of the sun, rain, frost or snow. These characteristics make it the ideal timber for outdoor furniture as it can be left outside uncovered all 12 months of the year, no matter where you live. We use Javanese teak in the manufacture of our furniture. The first plantations on the island of Java were planted by the Dutch and are now owned by the Indonesian government. Only a limited number of trees each year are allowed to be felled. When you receive your teak it will be in its natural state which is a honey/brown color and can often appear to be polished due to the natural oil occurring in the wood. The oil on the surface will evaporate after a few days outdoors. Left to age naturally outside the furniture will turn a handsome silver gray. If you want to preserve the original color of your teak furniture, our Kingsley-Bate Teak Protector is recommended. If you want to remove the silver-grey color and bring your furniture back to the original golden brown color, we recommend using our Kingsley-Bate Teak Cleaner. This again is only to be used if you want to remove the silver-grey color. After using the teak cleaner, you must use the teak protector seasonally to maintain the golden brown color. It is not necessary to use the cleaner on a new piece of furniture. Painting teak is usually not recommended as the wood's natural oils can affect how the paint adheres. If you wish to paint your teak, we recommend contacting a marine or boat store for paint suggestions that will not compromise the durability of your furniture. Shorea Wood (Teak Alternative) One of the closest teak relatives is Shorea wood. Shorea grows plentifully in the the Pacific Rim countries. Shorea is a heavy, hard and dense wood that has naturally occurring oils that make it resistant to bug infestation and rot. It weathers to a beautiful silver patina when left to age naturally. If you choose to maintain the golden finish you may apply a teak oil or protector. Shorea wood, like all outdoor furniture, will split and check when exposed to the elements. It is meant for outdoor use and requires minimal maintenance on your own - just soap and water for cleaning. Due to the oils in the wood, painting and staining is not recommended. Alder Alder is a straight-grained and even-textured hardwood with no distinct grain pattern. It is a relative of birch and is prized for its durability and strength. Alder is moderately lightweight and soft with good elasticity, good steam bending and stability in service. It finishes smoothly and takes stain and paint well. We finish our Alder furniture with a high-gloss, two-coat, water-based enamel for long lasting elegance. Northern White Cedar Northern White Cedar is a softwood with an even grain and a fine even texture. It is a light wood that is naturally rot-resistant and insect proof. No finishing product is needed for the sole purpose of preservation. When left in its natural state, cedar will weather to silver-gray. If this is not desirable, we recommend finishing with a semi-transparent stain containing sunscreen. Ordinarily, only one coat is necessary and product cost is minimal. Sealants should not be used on the furniture as this inhibits the rot-resistant characteristic of the wood. Western Red Cedar Western Red Cedar is a soft, durable wood that is renowned for its natural beauty and outstanding physical properties. It is considered one of the world's most unique and best softwoods for outdoor furniture. This beautiful wood had natural colouring in mellow ambers, reddish cinnamons and rich sienna browns. Its warm colouring is complimented by a uniform, fine-grained texture with a satin lustre. Western Red Cedar is naturally resistant to decay and weather and has a distinct aroma. It is uniform in color but will fade to a silver gray when used externally. We recommend using a semi-transparent stain or double-dipped oil stain every season to prevent the wood fading to a silver gray. Southern Cypress Southern Cypress is a versatile softwood that is ideal for outdoor use. It has a natural preservative oil which gives the wood resistance to insects and decay. Cypress has little tendancy to warp or twist which makes it more durable and stable. In its natural state, the wood is a pale honey color and unsealed, weathers to an even gray on the surface. We offer Southern Cypress furniture in its natural state and also with a distressed finish. The distressed pieces are finished with a Cuprionol outdoor, water-based stain with UV inhibitor for excellent color retention and fade resistance. Dark Red Meranti Mahogany Dark Red Meranti Mahogany is a tropical hardwood that is easily maintained, and is insect, fungus and rot resistant. It is generally straight grained and is prized for being extremely strong, hard and stable. It varies from dark brown, medium to deep red, sometimes with a purplish tinge. Meranti Mahogany weathers with minimal shrinkage and checking and turns a soft gray if left untreated. If treatment is desired, we recommend maintenance with a water repellant finish to protect the furniture's dimensional stability. Southern Yellow Pine Southern Yellow Pine is a softwood that is moderately heavy and hard. It has inherent characteristics that make it a desirable wood for outdoor furniture. Southern Yellow Pine is highly resistant to wear making it not only suitable for outdoor furniture but for marinas and decks. It is a durable wood that is resistant to rot, water damage and insect infestation. Our Southern Yellow Pine furniture is also low maintenance that requires just soap and water for cleaning. We offer four finish types: Natural, Pristine, Distressed and Washed. Natural Finish: Individual pieces are kept in their natural state with no additional finish treatment to compromise or hinder the natural aging process. If left untreated the wood will eventually turn dark. Pristine Finish: Specially developed latex enamel paint that is outdoors, non-toxic and water-based is used for the Pristine Finish. Darker color paints such as Tractor Red are mixed with SPF agents to resist fading. Distressed Finish: Individual pieces are lightly distressed and sanded to reveal bare wood in random areas. This rustic quality is enhanced over time as the products are exposed to the elements. Washed Finish: Individual pieces are lightly distressed and sanded to reveal bare wood on the entire product and not just in random areas. This is enhanced over time as the product is exposed to the elements. EnviroWood Made from recycled plastic bottles and containers, EnviroWood is a synthetic wood substitute that closely resembles painted wood. It absorbs no moisture, and therefore, will not rot, warp, crack or splinter. By permeating the material with UV stabilized coloring, consistent throughout the entire product, EnviroWood eliminates the need for painting, staining, waterproofing, stripping and resurfacing. EnviroWood furnishings provide you with the look of traditional painted wood furniture with no maintenance. |
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