When it comes to outdoor furniture, teak has long been celebrated as the gold standard for durability, beauty, and weather resistance. At Hemmet Furniture, we’re proud to offer a range of teak furniture that not only elevates your patio or garden but also aligns with our commitment to sustainability. 

Not all teak is the same - there’s a significant difference between plantation teak and old-growth teak, particularly in terms of the environmental impact. Here, we’ll explore why plantation teak is the sustainable choice for outdoor furniture, how it compares to old-growth teak, and how to care for your untreated teak furniture to ensure it lasts for decades.

What Makes Teak So Special?

Teak wood, derived from the Tectona grandis tree native to South and Southeast Asia, possesses a unique combination of characteristics that make it ideal for outdoor applications:

• Natural Oils and Silica: Teak is naturally rich in oils and silica content within its grain. These act as inherent protectants, making the wood highly naturally resistant to water, insects, and weathering - a perfect fit for the unpredictable UK climate. 
• Durability and Strength: It's a dense, close-grained hardwood that resists warping, cracking, and splintering, even when exposed to significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
• Beauty: Freshly milled teak boasts a beautiful golden-honey hue, often with straight grains, although wavy patterns can occur. Over time, if left untreated and exposed to the elements, it develops a distinguished silvery-grey patina, cherished by many.

At Hemmet, we ensure our furniture is made from teak from plantations, which offers distinct advantages over old-growth teak while maintaining these inherent qualities.

While some purists argue that plantation teak may not have the same density or oil content as old-growth teak, advancements in cultivation and processing have narrowed this gap significantly. For outdoor furniture, plantation teak offers the same weather resistance and longevity, making it an ideal choice for those who value both performance and environmental responsibility. At Hemmet, we believe that choosing plantation teak is a way to enjoy the beauty of this remarkable wood while contributing to a more sustainable future.

The trees are cultivated specifically for commercial use, often reaching maturity in 20-30 years, compared to the centuries it takes for old-growth teak to mature. This faster growth cycle allows for a renewable supply of teak without depleting natural forests, making plantation teak a more eco-friendly option.

Plantation teak is grown in managed forests, typically in regions like Indonesia (where ours is from) where teak thrives. All teak wood sourced from Indonesia must adhere to the rules set by FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade) and EUTR (EU Timber Regulation) to ensure sustainability and legality. These regulations aim to prevent illegal logging and promote responsible forestry practices, ensuring that timber entering the European market is legally harvested and traded. 

Beyond sustainability, plantation teak retains the durability and beauty that makes teak so prized. It’s still incredibly strong, with a tight grain that resists cracking and warping, even when exposed to rain, sun, and temperature changes. While old-growth teak is often denser due to its slower growth, modern plantation teak is carefully selected and processed to ensure it meets high standards for outdoor use. 

At Hemmet, our plantation teak furniture, like our outdoor dining sets and benches, offers the same timeless aesthetic and resilience, with the added benefit of being a responsible choice for the planet.

Caring for Untreated Teak: Options, Pros, and Cons

Many of Hemmet’s teak furniture pieces, particularly our outdoor range, are supplied untreated, allowing the wood’s natural properties to shine while giving you the flexibility to decide how to maintain it. Untreated teak will naturally weather over time, developing a beautiful silver-grey patina that many find charming. However, there are several care options to consider, each with its own pros and cons, depending on the look and level of maintenance you prefer.

Option 1: Let It Weather Naturally

This is arguably the most popular and lowest-maintenance approach.

• How: Simply leave the furniture outdoors. Exposure to UV rays and rain will gradually transform the golden-honey colour to a beautiful, silvery-grey patina over 9-12 months, depending on climate conditions. Regular cleaning is still recommended.
• Pros: Low maintenance and minimal effort. The silver-grey patina is a classic  distinguished, rustic look many people associate with aged teak and which enhances the Scandinavian aesthetic. The wood’s natural oils continue to protect it from rot and insects and it’s more environmentally friendly as there are no chemicals or treatments involved.
• Cons: The colour change may not suit everyone, and the patina can be uneven in shaded areas. If you prefer the golden hue, this isn't the method for you. Surface stains (e.g., from spills) may be harder to remove over time and over time the surface grain might feel slightly rougher compared to sealed wood.
• Cleaning: Regularly wash with mild soapy water and a soft brush to remove dirt, pollen, and bird droppings. Rinse thoroughly. For stubborn dirt or mildew spots (common in damp, shady areas), specialised teak cleaners are available.

Option 2: Enhance Colour and Protection (Using Teak Protectors/Oils - Use with Caution)

This option aims to enrich the wood's colour and provide water repellence. However, it requires careful product selection. Avoid traditional "teak oils" that are primarily linseed or tung oil. While they initially look good, these oils can actually trap dirt and actively promote mildew growth on teak, creating a blackened, sticky mess that's difficult to remove. Instead, look for modern "teak protectors" or specialised marine teak oils that contain UV inhibitors and mildewcides without the problematic ingredients.

• How: Ensure the furniture is meticulously clean and bone dry and apply the chosen protector/oil sparingly with a clean cloth, following the grain, applying it with a soft cloth every 3–6 months, depending on exposure to weather. Crucially, wipe off all excess oil thoroughly after the time specified by the manufacturer (usually within an hour). Leaving excess oil on the surface will result in a sticky finish that attracts dirt.
• Pros: Leaves a rich colour, deepening and enhancing the natural golden-brown tones. It provides good resistance to water spotting and some degree of 
• Cons: High Maintenance often requiring more frequent reapplication (potentially several times a year) compared to sealers or doing nothing. Incorrect oils are a recipe for mildew problems and over time and with multiple applications, some products can significantly darken the teak. Excess oil is a dirt magnet.
• Cleaning: Regular cleaning is essential. Thorough cleaning is required before reapplication.

Option 3: Maintain the Golden Hue (Using Teak Sealers)

If you love the original warm colour of new teak, a sealer is the way to go. Sealers work by forming a protective barrier on the surface, blocking UV rays that cause the greying process and preventing moisture absorption that can lead to mildew. Important Note: Teak sealers are different from teak oils.

• How: Ensure the furniture is perfectly clean and completely dry (allow several dry days). New furniture might need a light wipe-down; older furniture may need thorough cleaning. Apply a quality teak sealer using a clean cloth or sponge, working with the grain. Apply evenly and avoid pooling. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the number of coats and drying times.
• Pros: Applying a quality teak sealer is an effective way to maintain the furniture's original appearance. It preserves the warm, golden-honey colour, keeping the teak looking "new" for significantly longer. This is achieved because the sealer provides crucial UV protection, actively blocking the sunlight that causes the wood to naturally weather and transition to a silvery-grey patina. Many sealers are also formulated with mildewcides, offering an additional advantage by inhibiting the growth of mildew especially in damp or shaded environments. This protective sealed surface is also generally simpler to wipe clean compared to untreated, weathered teak.
• Cons: Using teak sealers does involve significant upkeep and potential challenges. The main drawback is the need for regular reapplication, as sealers inevitably wear down due to weather exposure. Typically, this means recoating the furniture every 6 to 12 months, although this can vary based on the specific product and environmental conditions, in order to effectively maintain the desired colour and protective qualities. This reapplication process itself can be rather tedious, demanding careful preparation that includes thoroughly cleaning the wood and ensuring it is completely dry before applying the sealer evenly across all surfaces. Furthermore, there's potential for an imperfect finish; if the sealer isn't applied correctly, or if the surface isn't adequately prepared before recoating (especially over an old layer), the result can be unsightly flaking or patchiness over time.
• Cleaning: Wipe down as needed. Before reapplication, a thorough cleaning with a teak cleaner is usually recommended.

Option 4: Sand and Restore

• How: If the patina isn’t your preference, sand the surface lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to restore the original golden hue, then clean and optionally oil or seal.
• Pros: Restores the wood’s original colour, giving it a fresh look. Ideal for occasional upkeep (e.g., every few years).
• Cons: Labour-intensive and requires care to avoid damaging the wood. Frequent sanding can wear down the surface over time.

General Care Tips

Regardless of the option you choose, store cushions indoors during heavy rain or winter to prevent mould, and cover your furniture during prolonged bad weather to minimise wear. Regular cleaning with a soft brush and mild soap will keep your teak looking its best, whether you let it weather or treat it. 

Conclusion

The "best" way to treat outdoor teak furniture ultimately depends on personal preference regarding aesthetics and the amount of maintenance you're willing to undertake.

However, for high-quality plantation teak like that used by Hemmet, allowing it to weather naturally to a silver-grey patina (Option 1) is often the recommended and most practical choice. This method requires the least effort, is the most environmentally sound, and truly celebrates the inherent resilience and evolving beauty of the wood. Teak's natural oils provide all the structural protection it needs to last for decades outdoors without any treatment. The silvery look is timeless and widely admired.

Using teak oils/protectors (Option 2) should be approached with caution. While they can enhance colour, the higher maintenance, potential for darkening, and critical need to select the right product (avoiding traditional linseed/tung oils) make it less ideal for many users compared to the other two options.

If preserving the original golden colour is paramount, then using a quality teak sealer (Option 3) such as Semco, is the best approach, accepting the need for regular reapplication. More advice on teak care can be found at Country Casual Teak.

By choosing furniture made from sustainable plantation teak and understanding the simple care options available, you invest not only in beautiful, long-lasting outdoor pieces but also in the health of our planet's forests. Hemmet's decision to supply teak untreated empowers customers to make an informed choice, often leading them to appreciate the simple elegance of naturally weathered, sustainable wood.