Q. How long will teak last?
Teak wood will easily last a good 75 to 100 years virtually unaffected when left unprotected outdoors. Teak beams in good condition are commonly seen in buildings many centuries old and have lasted in palaces and temples for over 1,000 years. In fact, teak structures have been uncovered intact in the jungles of Southeast Asia dating back 1,000 years. Teak is the only wood that can make these claims. So Let’s Dive in and Check FAQs about Teak – Outdoor Teak Storage, and more!
Q. What is A/ B grade teak wood?
Excellent Question. Many people think that this refers to a better or poorer quality of wood. Actually, A, B, and C “grade” teak refers to the part of the tree that a particular piece of wood comes from. “A Grade” teak comes from the heart of the tree with the straightest, most consistent grain patterns and no knots or sapwood. “B Grade” comes from the area a little further toward the outside of the tree. It has much of the straight grain but includes more character with some swirls and knots in the grain. “C Grade” teak comes from the outer part of the tree and includes the most character and variety of color and grain patterns. Since teak trees are not particularly large, most pieces of wood are not strictly A, B, or C grade, but include some of 2, or all 3 areas of the tree which is what A/B, B/C, and A/B/C grade terms come from.
Q. Can I stain teak wood?
Since teak is 100% solid wood, you can stain them to match any natural materials or decor.
Please note: Once you stain teak, you can’t un-stain it. In other words, you cannot return to the natural golden brown or silver-grey color without numerous sandings. The stain is intend to be permanent. If you choose to stain teak after it has turned silver-grey, you should first sand it before applying stain.
Q. I don’t like the gray color my teak has turned. What can I do?
A good cleaning with a teak cleaner or mild dish soap and clean water and scrub with a soft, nylon bristle brush will bring back most of the natural honey-gold color of the new teak. You can also give your cabinets a light sanding which will expose fresh wood and restore it to its original color.
Q. How should I clean teak wood?
A good rinse once or twice a month with a hose and wipe down with a towel is plenty in most cases. In harsher environments, or when cleaning has been neglect, a light scrub with a teak cleaner or mild dish soap and clean water with a towel or soft, nylon bristle brush is all it takes. We do not recommend using a pressure washer to clean our teak cabinetry, but it can be done as long as you do so very carefully and are aware that too much pressure can damage the surface of the wood. Use only low pressure, a wide spray nozzle, and keep the tip at least 12” away from the teak
Q. Doesn’t teak require a lot of maintenance?
Generally speaking, teak requires less maintenance than stainless steel. One of the greatest features of quality teak wood is that it requires very little maintenance and ages gracefully. If you appreciate the natural color of aged teak, then all you really have to do is clean it regularly. A good rinse once or twice a month with a garden hose and wipe down with a towel is plenty in most cases. If you prefer the golden color of new teak, more regular cleanings will maintain much of the original hue. You can also treat teak wood with a teak protector or sealer which will preserve the golden honey tone that many people love. Oiling teak will also preserve teak’s golden color but starts a regimen that involves cleaning and re oiling every 3 months to 1 year.
Q. Do you have to oil these cabinets?
The natural oils that protect teak wood from weather, pests, and rot are always inside the wood. Additional coats of oil won’t soak in and penetrate the wood to protect it. Commercial “teak oil” may even deplete the oils that are there naturally because it includes solvents that can break down and damage the natural oils in teak wood. If you decide you want to oil your teak, 100% tung oil or linseed oil is a better choice.
Q. Won’t teak cabinets dry rot outdoors if they get wet regularly?
This would be true for most wood cabinets, but not if they’re made of solid teak. Teak wood contains high levels of resinous oils that make it naturally resistant to moisture and impervious to the effects of extreme weather including hot sun, rain, frost, and snow. Teak also contains silica, which creates a density in the wood making it extremely resistant to water, rotting, warping, shrinking, swelling, mold and fungal decay, and many harsh chemicals. This is why we consider teak the “only serious choice” in building outdoor wood cabinetry.
Q. Won’t teak cabinets crack when the weather changes?
All wood expands and contracts to some degree with changes in temperature and humidity. If some amount of movement of the wood is not allow it can crack in some cases. Pacific Teak Millworks cabinets are design and built using “floating” panels that are allow to move within the frames to eliminate cracking.
Q. Doesn’t teak come from the rainforest?
No. Teak is native to a large range of several countries in Southeast Asia. Our teak specifically is grown on commercial plantations in Indonesia.
Q. Isn’t cutting teak trees illegal?
There is in fact some Illegal teak logging that still goes on in some countries. Due to the large, worldwide demand for teak products, most teak today is grow on commercial plantations. Indonesia in particular has strict controls on harvesting teak and strict penalties for illegal logging. This is why all of our teak outdoor kitchen products are either PEFC or FSC certified at the source. SLVK is the Indonesian governmental program that sets legal standards for wood-related industries not just to preserve the environmental aspects of this valuable resource, but also to promote the economic and social quality of life of its people. SLVK ensures in an officially transparent manner, that all our cabinetry is manufacture using legally and sustainably grown, harvested, and purchased timber.
Also, If you want to know about Stepping Away From Stainless Steel | Teak Wood Outdoor Kitchen Storage ? Click HERE to Read Full Article.