Outdoor teak furniture is likely to last a long time without any damage, and the look of the teak wood is likely to remain beautiful for many years. As teak ages and is exposed to the elements, the color of the wood may change from a golden brown to more of a silver or gray color. To prevent this, some maintenance of the furniture is necessary. If you own any teak furniture, you should invest in some teak oil that can be used to condition the wood every so often to preserve the look of the wood.
Teak is a naturally beautiful wood, but it is also extremely resistant to weather damage such as rot, molding, mildew build up, cracking, and so on. The close grain of the wood and the natural oils within it make it a very durable choice for outdoor teak furniture, and it is unlikely that you will need to do anything to prevent rot or bug infestations. Most maintenance of teak furniture is done to preserve the look of the wood.
Teak oil can be applied once every three months, or sooner if the wood is exposed to sunlight and moisture very often. Most teak oil containers will have instructions for application to the wood, and just about all will recommend cleaning the outdoor teak furniture thoroughly before applying teak oil. This will allow the oil to penetrate the wood more thoroughly and quickly. A damp rag can be used to wipe down the wood before application of the oil to ensure a clean surface.
To preserve the look of your outdoor teak furniture, avoid placing the furniture in standing water, such as puddles, or places where water is likely to build up. During winter months, take the teak furniture indoors to keep it protected from the elements. If this is not possible, thoroughly cover the pieces of furniture to provide some protection, and do not forget to cover the legs of the chairs and tables as well, as these areas are especially susceptible to exposure to the elements. If you do not mind the silver or gray color of the teak as it ages, you will not need to apply teak oil as often or at all, but keeping the chairs exposed to the elements will eventually strip much of the oil from the furniture, requiring a reapplication.
