Background of Teak in Outdoor Projects

When you clicked on this article, you might have been looking for a high-end wood material to enhance the luxury and durability of your outdoor furniture or commercial outdoor projects. As a sophisticated outdoor furniture supplier, you must know that choosing the right material for outdoor settings is not as simple as selecting for indoor spaces. It is not just about material appearance; it is also crucial to consider factors like durability, cost, and maintenance needs. As outdoor spaces continue to gain popularity among people, many commercial spaces are trying to enhance the value of their environments and attract customers with high-end wood.

Among all popular wooden materials, teak is one of the top choices for luxury commercial projects such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, and cafes. In addition to its elegant and premium appearance, FSC-certified teak is also an eco-friendly option, contributing to the sustainability of your business. However, as we all know, teak comes at a high price—so is it the right choice for every project? Let’s explore deeper!

Comparison between Teak and Other Popular Outdoor Woods

When it comes to outdoor wood options, there are several popular choices: solid wood, teak, Wood-plastic composites (WPCs), and plastic lumber. Each material offers good durability and functionality for outdoor use, and they are chosen based on their unique advantages. For example, outdoor projects that use solid wood aim to attract customers with the natural beauty of wood, creating an organic atmosphere for dining or relaxation areas.

On the other hand, those opting for WPCs or plastic lumber are obsessed with their wood-like appearance, exceptional durability, and sustainability. However, this article focuses on teak, a luxurious choice for those who value its rich grain and natural beauty, using it to enhance their outdoor project’s value and attract more customers.

What Is Teak? Why Is It a Popular Choice for Many Outdoor Furniture Suppliers?

Teak is not just a wood; it is a perfect investment for most designers and outdoor furniture suppliers because of its durability and elegance, making it a favourite choice among luxury hotels, resorts, and commercial projects worldwide. Teak is a tropical hardwood from Southeast Asia, possessing various benefits to survive for a long time in an outdoor setting.

Its natural oils provide resistance against termites, pests, and harsh outdoor conditions, ideal for your high-traffic outdoor spaces. If you choose to use teak in your commercial projects, it will be a long-term investment because of its strength, water resistance, and low maintenance. However, due to environmental concerns regarding teak forest depletion, it is essential to ensure that your teak products are FSC-certified, guaranteeing sustainable sourcing and responsible forest management. This is one of the major points that will concern your customers.

Teak Grades & Origins: Choosing the Right Material for Your Budget

As a teak furniture supplier, material wholesaler, or outdoor designer, the key factors for you to consider when selecting the suitable teak material are product quality and your project budget. It is crucial for you to find a balance between these two criteria. The price of teak varies depending on its grade and origin. You can choose the ideal one based on your unique project needs.

There are three main grades of teak, and the higher the grade, the more expensive it becomes. For those high-budget projects, the higher-grade teak is ideal due to its superior appearance and quality. The three grades (A, B, and C) differ in terms of quality and price, with grade A being the best in terms of both beauty and durability. For more information, read this article!

Teak also varies by origin, there are more than 10 types of popular teak materials sourced from different regions. Among these places, Burmese, Indonesian, and African teak stand out because of their excellent colours, textures and grains. Burmese teak is known for its rich golden-brown colour and high quality, making it the most expensive. Indonesian teak is slightly more affordable and still offers good durability and appearance, while African teak tends to be more budget-friendly but may not have the same premium finish as the others. For more information, read this article!

If you would like to know more about detailed differences between teak’s grades and origins, read this article for more information.

Benefits of Teak: An Ideal Choice for Luxurious Outdoor Projects

• Durable for Outdoor Use:  As a popular solid wood for outdoor use, teak’s life span in an outdoor setting can normally reach 15-25 years. Some of its life spans can achieve more than 40 years with proper cleaning and maintenance. Since it is a tropical hardwood, it is naturally adapted to high temperatures, humid environments and other outdoor elements. It is strongly resistant to problems such as warping, cracking and splitting, and does not need frequent care and replacement for your teak garden furniture.
• Elegant Appeal: Famous for its natural beauty, outdoor furniture that is made of teak highlights a natural and timeless beauty with its rich golden-brown hue and unique grain patterns. Because of teak’s natural oils and tight surface grain, it will bring a sense of elegance and warmth to any setting, helping outdoor furniture suppliers target to their high-end customer market.

• Long-term Investment: Although teak outdoor furniture has a relatively high initial cost compared to other wooden furniture, it is an excellent long-term investment for your luxury outdoor projects due to its ease of maintenance and exceptional durability. It can effectively save your costs of labour-cleaning and frequent replacement.

The Downsides of Teak Outdoor Furniture

• Mildew or Stains: Although teak wood can live for a long time outdoors, its natural wood attribute makes it not that resistant to problems such as mildew and corrosions. If you place teak outdoor furniture under prolonged exposure to water, it will eventually lead to mildew or stains, which will affect its elegant appearance. Many outdoor furniture suppliers are struggling about this issue.
• Natural Ageing: When teak outdoor furniture is exposed in an outdoor setting for a long period of time, it will naturally age and turn to the silver-grey colour. Although some people love this ageing colour, some people might think it largely affects the overall aesthetics of teak furniture.

• Environmental Concerns: Since teak is a type of natural wood sourced from forests, it will raise environmental and sustainability concerns because of its slow growth and restricted harvesting. For some businesses or commercial resorts, hotels that highlight their social responsibility and sustainability, teak outdoor furniture is not suitable for them.

Plastic Lumber: A Better Alternative to Teak Wood

Teak is a good choice for crafting luxurious outdoor furniture, but it is not always the best option for every outdoor space. Budget and maintenance are important factors to consider for commercial areas. While teak is durable, it requires proper cleaning and upkeep, which can be inconvenient for many outdoor settings such as big hotels and resorts. Therefore, many outdoor furniture suppliers are looking for an alternative to replace it.

However, plastic lumber can be a great alternative, mimicking the look of real wood while offering excellent durability for outdoor use. With a minimum need for extra cleaning and maintenance, plastic lumber requires a much lower cost and is more eco-friendly than teak (Click to see its benefits). In my opinion, if you are looking for durable and aesthetic outdoor wood material, plastic lumber is a better choice than teak.

Start Your Cost-effective Outdoor Projects with Sustainable Plastic Lumber

After reading this article, you might have already gained more information about why designers and outdoor furniture suppliers like to use teak for their projects. Because of its elegant appeal, natural aesthetics and long-lasting outdoor performance, teak is the best choice for most luxurious outdoor hotels, resorts and lounge areas. However, its high price and maintenance demand make it not suitable for every project.

Leisure Touch Rattan, a reliable plastic lumber supplier with decades of experience in the industry, is always dedicated to offering you high-quality, stylish and eco-friendly plastic lumber. No matter what you are looking for what colour, pattern, or surface effect, our strong factory capacity can fulfil your unique order needs within a short period of time. Contact us now if you would like to substitute your teak with eco-friendly plastic lumber!