The wooden furniture industry has changed drastically over the last few decades with consumers becoming more and more conscious about sustainable living. As a result, we are regularly asked questions about the wood we use to make our furniture such as their origin, their production and how they are harvested. Because we take pride in our choice of sustainable wood, this article answers to some of your questions by ensuring you that our wood, principally teak, is legally grown and logged from highly responsible organized plantations.
Not from this neck of the woods
Our teak wood is strictly imported all the way from Indonesia, a country reputed for being invested in protected farming of teak which follows sustainable-yield practices. This process is managed and controlled by PT Perum Perhutani, an Indonesian government agency tasked with preserving this natural resource for generations to come. Indeed, what makes Indonesian teak even more appealing is the fact that many reforestation programs have been set up as a responsible approach not only to allow sustainable developments for producers and all members of the industry but also to manage the landscape by preventing damage to ecosystems, watershed and wildlife.
Our wood has been granted the coveted SVLK-Indonesian Legal Wood Certification, a certificate put in place by the government of Indonesia to prevent any illegal logging, contraband and wild tree cutting in Indonesian forests. The timber sector being one of their most important industries, it was necessary to provide assurance regarding the legality of the teak produced, from harvesting, processing, transportation to selling and exporting. So for your peace of mind, our timber is eco-friendly!
Knock on wood, or rather, on our teak!
Different grades define the quality of teak. Our furniture is made from grade B teak, much superior to grade C, which is usually found on the market. Grade B ensures that the tree has been cut down when it is at least 30 years old, which certifies a mature wood, with great lengths and devoid of defects. Components are visually matched to a high degree of colour uniformity with minimal to no knots and a good concentration of healthy oil. Younger cut teak trees usually have more knots and are less uniform. These are classified as grade C teak, and are, therefore, in principle, less expensive, being of inferior quality.
How to cut the deadwood out?
Durability and timeless design make teak outdoor furniture one of the best values available in home furnishings. If well taken care of, your teak furniture will be a worthy investment over the years. When it comes to teak, a lot of the furniture has already been oiled but is better left “au naturel”. When cut at a sufficiently advanced age (at least 30 years), teak is naturally filled with oil, which explains why it is so resistant. A good indication of high-quality teak wood is that it will weather to a silver grey colour over time whereas if it is cut too young, it will blacken. To maintain teak in its natural state, that is to say, when it has not been oiled or varnished, it suffices to rub it with a brush and salt water for the wood to recover its initial appearance again. This cleaning process removes the greyish appearance that it can take while remaining outside, in contact with the weather and the sun. It is recommended that you clean your teak outdoor furniture twice a year to maintain their original appearance.
Our well-made and legal teak furniture is typically classic in design with clean architectural lines and timeless style. If you want to know more about our teak wood please do not hesitate to contact us.
