Teak is known for being expensive (except at Hank’s!) because of its
elegance and durability. The teak tree is native to the tropics, and is
found in the Southeast Asia nations like Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, and
Indonesia. There is an abundance of natural oils and rubber in the grain
of the wood. All wood contains oil that protects the tree, however teak
can retain these oils and rubber even after being harvested and
processed. Because of this, teak has greater naturally weather resistant
properties than just about any other type of wood. When dried to a
proper moisture level (around 10% of its original content) the oils and
rubber weatherproof the wood.
The oils also protect the wood from dry rot, which is a common
problem in older wooden furniture; they also protect the heart of the
wood from invaders like fungi and parasites that can destroy other
woods. All of this protection is natural – no sealers or finishes!
All of this makes teak perfect for outdoor furniture. As it weathers
over time, the wood goes from a honey brown color to a silvery gray.
Because teak is so durable, owners can expect their purchase to last a
lifetime in a wide range of climates. So come to selected hanks
locations and see what we mean by our prices being so much lower than
catalogs. Its affordable, will last forever and the best part, no
maintenance is necessary.