It's only natural that homeowners should look for natural materials when choosing furniture for the garden, and durable, beautiful teak is an increasingly popular choice.

It's not just teak's good looks that have made it a favorite choice for outdoor furniture and accessories. Sturdy is an understatement as teak is one of the most durable wood types on earth. If you think pine wood, redwood and cedar wood lasts pretty long, then teak is a virtual Methuselah, lasting some 75 to 100 years in some cases.

Additionally, these types of wood need to be treated with a preservative if you want them to last a few seasons. But when it comes to high-quality teak furniture, there is no longer a need to varnish or sand it in order for it to stand the test of time and remain beautiful. Of course, certain elements like mildew can build up, but annual washing and cleaning should take care of that.

A special kind of cleaning agent made particularly for teak furniture would be required if you wish to have your furniture retain its golden brown color rather than have it fade into a silvery grey hue as the years pass by – outdoor teak needs to be cleaned thoroughly with the above cleaner to preserve its shade.

For the use of teak in the indoor setting, teak furniture can be oiled, sealed or varnished.

Teak wood is a family of wood that can be classified in several ways, and each classification is different from the other in terms of quality. Consider the following quick tips when buying teak furniture.

Make sure that the furniture you are looking at is genuine teak, not those promoted as "teak-like" or "as good as teak."

Next, you should know the grade of teak and how the product was constructed. Is your furniture not stained by sap or does it have no evidence of pits or open knots? Do you see recessed and pegged screw holes designed to deter stains and rust? If your answer is yes on both counts, then you've got quite a product on your hands.

Next, consider style, which has expanded significantly from the traditional Adirondack style many people associate with teak. Some of these neat ideas include reclining loveseats, teak chairs and teak couches. Pillows can be used to "hot rod" your teak furniture and customize it to your tastes.

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