Teak Garden Furniture

Modern home furniture needs to be “green” these days.  That is why you have a proliferation of aluminum, chromed steel, cast iron, synthetic polyvinyl laminates, plastics and resin, to mention some of the more eco-friendly construction materials for furniture, both indoors and out.  Even when wood is involved, it’s not uncommon to see veneered wood on metal frames or synthetic wood-like laminates over particle board.  Then there’s marine plywood made of layers of wood shavings and pulp glued together and often veneered to look elegant as plywoods do not exhibit the kind of grain you expect from real wood furniture.

But does it have to be?  Does green mean using cold metal and light plastics?  Are we losing that romantic feel when using real wood furniture in our homes? 

We don’t have to. Real wood is often the best option for the great outdoors.  Real solid wood never fails to exude the warmth and natural coziness that comes with having as the main materials for your homes.  That is why those log cabin homes provide some of the most rustic and cozy living quarters you can find.  And it’s not surprising that patios and decks continue to use these materials to bring the home closer to nature that gardens basically are.  Outdoor furniture always looks good and feels warm in real wood.  They are the perfect complement to a location that is valued more not for any comfort and luxury, but for their affinity to mother nature. Your patio or backyard garden patch is the closest you have to being in the bosom of mother nature.  Nothing conserves this affinity than sitting or lounging on an outdoor furniture made of real wood.

Preferred Wood Types

So what are a homeowner’s options for real wood garden furniture?  There are only a few with a few hard woods being preferred  teak hard wood as the most popular, thanks in large measure to its high density wood that renders it naturally resistance to warping or disfiguration under extremes of temperature and exposure to sun and water.  Its natural oils also make it resistant to rot, mildews and molds that come with high humidity and constant exposure to rain.

Other wood types like cedar and pint are also used but they often required special treatment and finishes to make them last longer under the elements. Bamboo is not a wood but more of a sturdy grass but increasingly used for its resilient sturdiness, natural weatherproofing and exotic beauty that conjures up tropical imagery in both indoor and outdoor furniture. They make excellent furniture benches and bistro sets.