While traditionally wood furniture has been made from both soft and hardwoods, modern wood patio furniture (view Wood Patio Furniture here) relies heavily on tropical hardwoods such as Jatobá (Brazilian Cherry) and Teak. What advantages do these hardwoods offer over softwoods such as Cedar, Cypress and Pine? Let's explore the advantages of Brazilian Cherry and Teak and find out why.
Teak Patio Furniture
Teak has been known and widely used for centuries, originating in South East Asian countries such as India, Myanmar, Thailand, Burma and Indonesia. Currently Teak is cultivated everywhere, typically from plantations that carefully monitor and replace their stock of trees in an eco-friendly fashion.
Teak is the common name for Tectona grandis, a deciduous tree that can grow more than 130 feet in height. While Teak trees offer beautiful white flowers and a soft, brown wood, it's actually teaks ability to resist water and insect damage that attracts patio furniture manufacturers. And this rugged characteristic is recognized outside of the industry, with Teak being used in decks, buildings, boats and any other item exposed to water.
How does teak wood resist water damage? Teak holds natural silica, along with other organic oils, that repel water. Why? Just look at where teak originates for the answer: the rain forest. This water resistance offers several advantages for a plant growing in a rain forest, such as repelling fungus, water rot and insects. As such, teak will avoid warping and hold strength after repeated exposure to moisture (teak is also resistant to fire, alkalis and certain acids).
If there is one drawback to Teak, it's the ability to resist UV damage from the sun. Teak that is placed in the sun will patina over time and turn a light grey. This cosmetic change is considered by many to add character and charm, and is not viewed as a negative in most circles. While it does not harm the strength or quality of the wood, some people will be shocked with this color change if they are not familiar with Teak.
If you are considering Teak and find yourself discouraged because of this color change in the sun, there are certain oils and sealers developed to prevent Teak from changing colors. But most Teak owners understand this color change adds character; as such, most owners choose to leave it in its natural state. If you like the distinguished look of aged Teak, this style of wood patio furniture is virtually maintenance-free. Leave Teak patio furniture outside all year round, and it will age beautifully.
Teak Oil & Teak Sealer
Teak can be treated with special oils and sealers to preserve the natural honey color, but these sealers and oils are designed specifically for Teak. Be careful and avoid treating Teak with a traditional wood sealer or varnish. Why do some people choose to seal Teak wood? While cherished by some, others do not like the silver or grey color Teak will develop. This slight color change is caused by the UV rays emitted by the sun; these special Teak sealers contain UV protection to keep these harmful rays from changing the color of the furniture. Many of these sealers also include a fungicide to prevent mold and mildew.
If applying to new Teak, nothing needs to be done to prepare the furniture. But if you are applying Teak sealer to wood patio furniture that has already been exposed to water, then the Teak will have to be clean and possibly sanded.
Wood patio furniture sealer for Teak is not a varnish. Unlike a varnish, a sealer will preserve the color while being breathable, letting the natural oils move to the surface for protection. Sealers are also stains; the darker the stain, the more UV protection it provides. If your Teak furniture is already peeling, cracking or bubbling, sand off and clean the pieces before you apply the sealer.
Applying sealer to Teak wood is quite easy. Remember: after the first application, Teak should be placed in the sun for two weeks, allowing the wood grain to open and breath. Spray on a coat of Teak sealer and rub it in with a rag. Repeat. Be sure to hit all surfaces, including the top, sides, bottom and between any small areas such as slats. Most of these sealers will stain concrete and other surfaces, so be careful. Reapply the sealer every year after cleaning the wood with mild detergent and water.
Once sealed, Teak patio furniture will require very little care. The occasional wash with soap and water will remove normal dirt and grime. Oils from foods, coffee, alcohol and some condiments will penetrate the sealer and may leave a stain. To avoid this, a teak clear coat can be applied to the surfaces to improve resistance to these types of stains.
Jatobá or Brazilian Cherry Patio Furniture
Jatobá, commonly referred to as Brazilian Cherry (and sometimes called Guapinol, Brazilian Copal, West Indian Locust or South American Locust), like Teak originated in a rain forest. But unlike Teak, Brazilian Cherry hails from the dense Amazon rain forest in South America, and can be found growing naturally throughout the Caribbean and Central America. Like Teak, it's a hardwood that offers several advantages perfect for use in the outdoor furniture industry.
Brazilian cherry is not a cherry tree. Hymenaea courbaril is actually a legume (a type of vegetable plant) that produces edible seed pods that offer a very unpleasant smell. In addition to these seed pods, Brazilian cherry produces a sticky substance; after this substance dries it will develop into amber over millions of years. Have you ever seen Jurassic Park? The amber that holds the little mosquitos that hold the dinosaur blood is what I'm talking about.
Brazilian cherry showcases beautiful colors that fall anywhere between red and brown, with heavy black growth rings. In addition to patio furniture, Brazilian cherry is used on boats, seaside homes and other items placed in or around bodies of water. Like Teak, Brazilian cherry offers a rustic appearance that will age gracefully when placed outside.
Brazilian cherry is very easy to care for, with just a little more maintenance than Teak. Originating from a rain forest, Brazilian cherry is quite dense, effectively resisting insects, fungus and moisture. All you need in order to maintain the natural color of Brazilian cherry is linseed oil. Yes, just plain and simple linseed oil.
Twice a year apply linseed oil to prevent color fade when exposed to the sun. But many owners decide to do nothing with their Brazilian cherry patio furniture, allowing the wood to transform into a distinctive silver color.
If you are considering Brazilian cherry, check out the new water-based, non-toxic Reve stains. These are now available on many patio collections that feature Brazilian cherry and will protect your chairs, sofas, tables and chaise lounges for more than three years, in some cases.
Both of these hardwoods are harvested from regulated plantations that take pains to ensure they replace each tree they use. So if you find yourself rejecting wood patio furniture because it's not environmentally friendly, these woods provide a green option from sustainable farms. Both Teak and Brazilian cherry patio furniture can be found in Family Leisure Wood Patio Furniture; view Family Leisure Wood Patio Furniture here.
