Teak is known for its high density, close-grain, high natural oil content, and its natural golden-brown color. These characteristics have made teak a popular construction material for thousands of years. Teak furniture is naturally weather-resistant because of the high natural oils and close grain of the wood. Combined, these factors make teak exceptionally resistant to the damaging effects of moisture, the sun, pests, mildew, and fungus.
Natural teak wood is a porous material. But what makes this a great wood for outdoor furniture is that it is highly resistant to damaging effects from moisture. The natural oils of teak protect the wood from moisture taking hold and causing it to shrink, swell, decay, or dry out. This high natural water-resistance of teak is a key reason this hardwood has been a very popular material in marine applications like ship and boat building. As a result, you will not see an outdoor furniture piece made of teak become brittle, warp, splinter, or break.
Finally, teak can require minimal care if you don’t mind the natural weathering process of the wood changing from a honey brown color to silvery gray patina color. At most, you will need mild soap, water, and a soft-bristle brush to clean off dust and dirt. In some cases, you may apply a light sandy to remove water marks or other marks from the wood. Additionally, you can apply teak oil or teak sealant to keep the natural color of the wood intact.