Teak Outdoor Furniture: Unearth the Secrets Behind Its Durability

Omar Velarde
6 min readNov 21, 2023
Kingsley Bate’s Nantucket Collection Dining Set (Source: kingsleybate.com)

When decking out your patio, the choices can be as overwhelming as styling your interior. Styles by the hundreds, all different materials, cushions, and slings — and then there’s the weather and the outdoor elements to consider. So, the bigger question becomes, will they last? Because let’s face it, outdoor furniture is a serious commitment. It isn’t the same as swapping throws and pillows every season. So, what’s the secret to outdoor furniture? It’s all about the frame: the material.

Enter teak, but thousands of years ago. Its legacy of durability is reflected in the long-lasting structures, such as the Ban Sao Nak (House of Many Pillars) in Thailand, built from teak in the 19th century. As it is native to Southeast Asia, native tribes used teak to make their homes. During the Middle Ages, the Europeans used it to build ships.

Ban Sao Nak (House of Many Pillars) in Lampang, Thailand. (source: DH Travel Southeast Asia)

But why does teak take the crown in durability? What makes it a fantasteak option for any outdoor area, be it covered, uncovered, or near a pool?

Let’s dig into the roots of it all.

Know Your Teak

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Omar Velarde

Hospitality and marketing background. Art and design enthusiast. Lover of folklore and mythology. Kpop junkie. Hooman bean writing for fun to share my views.