For full details of all our range visit or please call us on Teak Garden Furniture A Buyers Guide

Transcription

1 Teak Garden Furniture A Buyers Guide

2 WHY TEAK? About Teak Teak is a deciduous tropical hardwood, found extensively in the dry hilly forests of Indonesia, Thailand, Burma and Laos in South East Asia. Teak trees are slow growing, can grow up to 150 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter taking at least 50 years to reach full maturity. Almost 200 years ago, Dutch settlers created Teak plantations in Indonesia, providing employment for thousands of local people. These plantations are now regulated and ecologically managed by Perum Perhutani, a government agency promoting responsible timber harvesting and reforestation. Other Teak producing countries are also introducing similar agencies to manage this sustainable resource, control poaching whilst reducing child labour exploitation in the factories and timber processing plants. Teak s dense, close straight grain contains natural oils and silica. Being extremely durable and resistant to fungal decay, water rotting, warping or shrinkage, makes Teak ideal for outdoor furniture. Teak has been used in shipbuilding since the 16th Century. Teak weathers beautifully, turning from a golden brown to a rich silvery hue over one or two seasons and requires little or no maintenance. Quality outdoor furniture should last a lifetime in the constantly changing British climate. Quality Whilst there are 3 grades of Teak available, the discerning Teak furniture buyer should insist on the finest Grade A solid Teak. This should be knot free, have a dense close curved grain, even in colour. Grade A Teak is cut from the heartwood or centre of the tree, usually years old and has very few if any, imperfections. Grade B & C Teak is usually cut from the sapwood or outer part of the tree and is less stable. It contains less natural oil and silica, has greater variance in colour and grain, and often contains knots and imperfections. Grade B & C Teak is used in more price sensitive and inferior quality outdoor furniture. Solid Teak should be kiln dried to moisture content between 10-15% suitable for the UK market and as low as 6-8% for warmer Mediterranean climes. Correctly kiln dried timber eliminates any splitting or shrinkage especially around the joints. Occasional checking (cracking) on the end grain can be experienced, as the timber opens and closes its grain according to the season, this is quite normal. Typical signs of high moisture content in the furniture, visible white mould on any part of the furniture, it feels wet or damp to touch, and should be rejected. This furniture is likely to crack and warp as it dries out naturally. If any of the fittings are rusty or the furniture shows signs of dark or black staining around plugged dowels, it is most likely hiding inferior steel screws. This will weaken any joints and also affect the stability of the furniture. Inferior or cheaper outdoor furniture often fails because it has not been correctly kiln dried or to save costs unsuitable dimensioned stock has been used.

3 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Warranties and Return Polices Teak furniture should require little or no maintenance. Choosing the right furniture for your needs is important and your Teak furniture should be an investment that will last a lifetime. Many internet retailers and sellers drop ship preferring to deliver direct from stock and never handle the furniture, so their product knowledge and customer service is limited. It is important to understand their return policy before committing to any purchase, you may find that many sellers do not offer a return policy or guarantee, so always check the small print. Retailers offer a wide selection of choice, where you can inspect the quality for yourself and try out the furniture with expert advice on hand to answer any of your questions before reaching your decision. Reputable suppliers normally offer a guarantee, the longer the better. Wherever possible, it is always better to see before you buy. Choosing High Quality Teak Outdoor Furniture Choose a reputable retailer or importer with a sound reputation or long trading history in Teak furniture Reputable retailers and importers should carry vast stock, offering plenty of choice, providing good advice as part of their service Insist only on Grade A solid Teak If the price is too good to be true then it s probably not Grade A Teak Inferior Grade B & C Teak is commonly available throughout the UK and Europe, but will not last like Grade A Teak If the joints are badly fitting or look hand made it is unlikely to have been made using Grade A Teak Look for machine made joints (Mortice & Tenon style), they should be neat and close fitting, stronger and superior to hand made joints, which can be badly made and poorly assembled Beware of cheaper inferior alternatives, as these lack the durability and natural properties of Teak, are often vulnerable to rot and infestation, requiring regular treatment Some importers use Sulphuric acid to stain inferior timber passing it off as Grade A to command a higher price Choose designs with sturdy solid timber components and brass or stainless steel fittings where possible Your Teak furniture should be solid, thick and chunky, many manufacturers will use thinner materials to save costs

4 BENCHES The classic bench is probably the most celebrated furniture piece in any garden or outdoor space. Blending seamlessly into any garden, church, park or other public area, providing respite for both young and the old. Use As not all benches are the same, consider the primary function when choosing its location, and whether your bench is for ornamental purpose or everyday use. Personalisation We can offer a choice of an engraved brass plaque or carved inscription, choose a bench with a wide horizontal crest rail if considering a memorial or commemorative plaque. Security Protect your investment with our sturdy security fixing kit, ideal for use in public areas such as Churchyards or public parks. Sitting Together Depending on space, two smaller benches can often be more suitable than one long bench. The addition of an occasional table can create a meeting point or somewhere to sit a while and enjoy that drink with friends. Size Because people come in all shapes and sizes, so do our benches. To allow everyone to sit comfortably, without feeling cramped, best practice is always allow for an extra person. Comfort Benches are available with or without arms. For optimum comfort choose a bench with a curved backrest.

5 TREE BENCHES Enjoy the dappled light and shade that only a tree can provide. Turn your favourite tree into a stunning centrepiece with a circular tree bench providing a 360 view. Size Tree benches sizes are specified by diameter and measured in millimetres. Simply measure the circumference (the linear distance around the trunk) of your tree at its widest part and divide by to determine the diameter. Growth Good quality tree benches should last 25 years or more, so remember to allow for growth of your tree. Assembly Tree benches are supplied in segments; each piece is matched precisely and bolted together. No special tools are required and we provide brass bolt kits. We recommend 2-person assembly, which should take less than an hour. Bespoke If you are looking for a specific size of tree bench, our workshops can produce a bespoke solution to suit your requirements. Please ask for details.

6 TABLES Your table is the centrepiece of your outdoor furniture, it should accommodate all your guests comfortably to add to their al fresco experience. Socialising Deciding how many to seat becomes an important factor when choosing the right size table. We offer individual tables that can be nested together when required and extending leaf tables, for those larger barbecues and banquets. Table Tops When looking for a high quality table, look for thicker tops. All our tables have 40mm thick solid Teak tops, for greater strength and rigidity. Storage Your solid Teak table can be left outside all year round with minimal fuss. However, you may wish to use one of our high quality waterproof table covers to protect it from the elements. Circular and square tables are more informal and encourage conversation amongst your guests. Rectangular tables are best suited for more formal entertaining or larger groups. Location, Location, Location Wherever you decide to place your table, it will become the focal point of your garden, patio or terrace. Ensure that it s located in a sheltered spot where you can enjoy the most of the sunshine, and perhaps consider a parasol. Choose a table that suits the area, whilst taking into account how many people you will seat.

7 SEATING Avoid choosing your seating without first sitting upon it. Choose wisely and your guests will relax and enjoy your hospitality in comfort. Perfect Fit Make sure your chairs fit comfortably around the table, consider how wide they are and whether the arms of a carver chair will fit snugly under the table without hemming in its occupants. Comfort It is important to consider how long you will sit on your chair. For added comfort choose from our range of upholstered seat cushions. Sit Back & Relax With a comprehensive selection of seating from; swing seat or companion seat, rocking chairs and folding chairs or our fashionable Adirondacks to stacking poolside sun loungers. Having made your choice now you can relax. Storage How will you store your chairs over the winter? One of the many benefits of high quality solid Teak furniture is you can keep your garden set outside all year round.

8 TABLE & CHAIR SETS Whilst all our table and chairs can be paired, we have made choosing your furniture even easier, by hand picking popular tables and chairs from our range to create dining and garden sets. All you need to do is tell us how many diners or guests you would like to cater for and we can advise you accordingly. Table Shape and Size With Square, rectangular, circular or oval and not forgetting our occasional tables in stock, such an array can seat 2 to 12 people, so you can choose the table that suits your needs best. Mix and Match You may wish to consider a chair and bench style seating combination rather than the traditional table and chair set. Alternatively, introduce an occasional table to complement those loungers and chairs. Flexibility We have assembled our dining and lounge sets from the most popular items in our range, so should you wish to add to your collection at any time, we always carry a large stock ready for immediate delivery.

9 PLANTERS Often referred to as Versailles planters, named after André Le Nôtre the notable 16th century French Landscape architect. They are available in a variety of sizes with finials on each corner. They are the perfect choice in any garden, pathway, doorway or balcony. Size Avoid causing unnecessary stress on a favourite plant by re-potting. Allow sufficient room for the plant to grow and the roots to breath with a planter large enough for your plant to flourish and grow. Liners If you are looking to plant directly into your planter rather than a pot, we recommend a galvanized liner with drainage holes in the base. Liners increase the life of your Teak planter and keep it looking its best all year round. Strength Large planters are best sited where they are intended, as they can be heavy to move once full. Each planter is designed specifically to be strong and sturdy, to withstand the weight. Reduce the weight by first filling with clay pebbles or polystyrene. Bespoke If looking for a specific size of planter, our workshops can produce a bespoke solution to suit your requirements. Please ask for details.

10 PARASOLS & BASES Parasols are available in a variety of sizes, square or rectangular in shape. A quality parasol can add your outdoor dining or lounging experience by not only providing much needed shade, but can be an attractive addition to complete your table setting. Spread Choose a parasol larger than your table size, to ensure all your guests can sit comfortably under the canopy. Shape Round, square or rectangular, centre pole or cantilever? The choice is yours. Most people prefer a matching parasol to correspond with the shape of their table to provide maximum cover. Covers Parasols should be put down or closed each day and in high winds, a durable parasol cover can protect your canopy and keep it clean when not in use. Storage Whilst one-piece Bamboo poles offer the greatest strength and rigidity, be mindful of the storage space when putting your parasol away for the winter. Poles Parasols gain their strength from the support pole and canopy spindles. A one-piece Bamboo pole being the most suitable with a tensile strength similar to steel. Pole diameters can vary, 38mm, 48mm or 58mm dependent on manufacturer and canopy size. Be sure to check the parasol aperture on the table before specifying your parasol. Base Support Consider how your parasol will be supported, either held firm within the table frame or alternatively in a base under the table.

11 ONLINE OR IN STORE We hope that you find this guide informative and it has helped you decide solid Teak should be your preferred choice for all your outdoor and garden furniture. Chic Teak Limited is one of the UK s leading suppliers and manufacturers of fully assembled premium Grade A solid Teak furniture. Each piece of Chic Teak Furniture is constructed from ethically sourced; government controlled plantations and comes with our comprehensive 10-year* guarantee. Visit our Head office and see our entire range on display. And with extensive stock available, all our Teak furniture is ready for you to enjoy now. For further details of all our range visit or call us on * Furniture with moving parts are covered by a 5 year guarantee. Parasols are covered by 3 year guarantee. Fabrics inc. cushions and covers are covered by manufacturers warranty and may vary depending upon product.

12 E CHIC TEAK G U 10 year A R A N E T SOUTHWOOD FARM, DUMMER, BASINGSTOKE. RG23 7LU For full details of all ranges visit alternatively please call us on All rights reserved Chic Teak 2014 DBF