Why should you choose POLYWOOD outdoor furniture over teak, the strong and durable hardwood that has been the go-to material for garden tables and chairs for decades? In this blog we’ll take a look at the background and benefits of both teak and POLYWOOD, so that you have all the facts and can choose what works best for you.
ALL ABOUT POLYWOOD
Environmentally friendly: The POLYWOOD range is hand crafted from unique ‘lumber’ created from recycled plastic bottles. An Adirondack chair uses approximately 500 bottles, ensuring they don’t end up in landfill and giving them a second use.
Weather resistant: POLYWOOD outdoor furniture is resistant to the damaging effects of frost, snow, sun, rain, humidity, salt water, mould and mildew. Your furniture also won’t be discoloured if you spill oils, food or drink on it, making it a truly lifestyle-proof option!
Virtually maintenance-free: Unlike wood which required oil or preservatives to stay in good shape, POLYWOOD needs very little maintenance to stay looking its best. All you need to do if it gets a little muddy or dusty is wash is with warm, soapy water.
A wide range of colours: POLYWOOD has been designed to mimic real wood in its appearance and is available in a full range of traditional timber shades as well as myriad colourful shades. Those looking to complete a classic outdoor garden theme might want to choose wood shades or muted colours, whereas people seeking a contemporary finish can select vibrant colours such as red or orange.
Long warranty: POLYWOOD will stay looking as good as new for decades, so you won’t be on the hunt for new garden furniture in just a few summer’s time. If you do have any problems with your POLYWOOD you’ll find the long warranty gives you peace of mind that you won’t find with metal or wooden options.
ALL ABOUT TEAK
Strong and durable: Teak grows in several Southeast Asian countries where the soil has a very high silica content and it takes a long time to mature – around 60 years. Naturally-occurring oils in mature teak help make it weather proof and strong, which is why it is the favoured wood for use outdoors.
An attractive natural finish: as teak ages and weathers it develops a lovely silvery surface hue that is much-loved for outdoor furniture and yacht decking alike. If you prefer the honey-colour of new teak, there are teak cleaners out there that can restore it back to its original finish.
A natural product: Many people like their outdoor furniture and tools to be crafted from materials that reflect the trees and plants, so wood is the clear aesthetic choice. The feel and smell ofreal wood is rather special, particularly on a warm summer day.
Beware plantation-grown teak: There has been an influx of plantation-grown teak in response for the high demand and limited supply of natural teak. Not only is the density and oil content of plantation teak lower, the rings are also more widely spaced which reduces the wood’s ability to naturally weather. This means that planation-grown teak requires more maintenance than that which has been naturally grown. There are also more low branches which lead to pin knots in the wood and therefore imperfections.
Maintenance: As we previously mentioned teak is a very durable wood, but it does still require some maintenance to ensure longevity. Surface dirt and stains need to be cleaned off with a brush and water, and teak may need to be oiled as it ages, to maintain its weatherproof qualities. Oiling an entire teak dining set can take several hours, and with temperamental British weather, you might just find the sun has gone back in by then!
