Caring For Your Antique Teak Furniture: Common Questions And Answers
"I Have Heard That Teak Is the Longest Lasting Wood -- Is This True?"
Yes, it is true that teak is one of the most durable and long lasting of all types of woods. This is one reason why you see so many pieces of antique teak furniture around -- it just lasts so long! If you take care of your teak furniture, it will last a lifetime (60-80 years on average!) and you will have several pieces of antique teak furniture to hand down to your children or grandchildren.
"My Antique Teak Furniture Has a Grayish Appearance -- Is That Okay?"
It is perfectly normal for teak furniture to take on a different appearance if it is kept outside. The grayish patina will become noticeable as the wood begins to age naturally (which takes about 5-6 months). If you do not like this patina you can simply scrub it off with a brush and some soapy water -- but that coloration will return again eventually. Many people simply come to prefer the gray color of antique teak furniture and choose not to try and change it. "What Kinds of Routine Maintenance Do I Need to Perform on My Antique Teak Furniture?" Many people think that teak furniture is completely indestructible -- that's simply not true. For example, if you leave your antique teak furniture sit in areas which accumulate large amounts of standing water, or in areas which do not receive much direct sunlight, teak wood can begin to rot. Your antique teak furniture does not mind being left in direct sunlight -- in fact, the heat that it receives will actually help to keep the teak wood dry and prevent rotting. Many people who own antique teak furniture will give their outdoor furniture pieces a good scrubbing at least once a year to remove mold and mildew and other outdoor nasties. "Should I Use Any Special Types of Finishes or Protectants on My Antique Teak Furniture?" You will get a variety of opinions on this one: Some furniture dealers will sell various types of finishes and protecting agents for antique teak furniture. While I do not doubt that they will work, it is also true that they do not, by themselves, provide permanent protection -- this means that you will have to reapply these preparations at least yearly to maintain the proper finish color and level of protection for the wood. If you would rather not perform all this extra maintenance on your antique teak furniture, you can simply choose to allow your teak to age naturally, in a warm, sunny location. In most cases this will be enough to help preserve your antique teak (in addition to regular, yearly cleaning).
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