A Teak Bench Does Not Deserve to be Pigeon-holed By Tonya Kerniva At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

The teak bench and other patio furniture is some of the most recognizable outdoor wood furniture there is. Everyone seems to be getting on board the teak bandwagon, and singing the praises of the Class 1 hardwood. However, its strengths can also be its shortcomings. Because teak benches are so useful outdoors, often that is where people’s imaginations confine them to. Teak in fact goes well just about anywhere you can think of.

It would be an injustice, however, not to expound upon why teak furniture is indeed so ideal for use in exterior furniture. Since the mid-19th century teak has been used in the construction of furniture, although its original use was as a structural element. This is because it was recognized back in the 7th century how unique teak wood was. First seen in Asia, teak furniture was brought to Victorian England, and later all points west. Today, teak is some of the most recognizable wood in American craftsmanship. Both extremely durable as well as flexible, teak wood also produces natural oils that preserves it, but also protects the wood from splitting and warping, fungus, and insect infestation. In this way, it is extremely hearty and weather-resistant, and requires low maintenance. Oiling a teak bench once two twice a year depending on the environment is all the upkeep required, making teak an invaluable asset for homeowners.

As classic as it is for the outdoors, teak can also be brought inside the home. Able to compete with the elegance and beauty of any other indoor furniture, the natural grain patterns and warm tone of the wood is unparalleled. The same cannot be said for other outdoor furniture. Unlike plastic, a teak bench has a cozy feel reserved for wood furniture and does not look cheap, as often does the former. Also, unlike metal benches, teak does not have that cold and impersonal look and feel. When brought inside the home, teak benches require even less maintenance than their outdoor counterparts. Protected indoors from the element, teak wood will not produce the same amount of natural oils, so less oiling on your part is needed. Try to limit the application of sealants to about once a year. Too much oil can actually have an adverse effect, turning the wood a black color as a result of mold.

Bathrooms are one part of the house you probably would not think to put a teak bench. However, as more than just a convenient seat, teak happens to hold up amazingly well against prolonged exposure to water. In addition to furniture, teak was the wood of choice for shipbuilders because of its unique properties. For one, the wood holds up against moisture, but it also holds up against especially damaging saltwater. Not only that, teak even goes so far as to help protect whatever metal hardware it surrounds from possible rusting as a result of the saltwater buildup. Similarly to bathrooms, spas and saunas are ideal spots for a teak bench. In addition to their also being moist environments, spas and saunas are notoriously humid. This lethal combination of heat and moist air can wreak damage on most woods, but not teak, whose natural habitat, the monsoon forests of Southeast Asia, is about as hot and humid as a place can get. Aside from that, many personal and commercial saunas, especially the Finnish models, are already made from wood, so it is only logical that they be paired with some complementary wood accoutrements.

These ideas are just for starters. Now that you are thinking outside the box, just imagine where teak benches would fit in. Try one in the bedroom for putting clothes on, or use one as a piano bench. In general, wood furniture is extremely versatile in its usage, but teak particularly is because of its adaptable characteristics. While it may be a little ways off for teak benches on the moon, that’s no reason not to get a head start on yours.

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