Teak has been the best-known wood for garden furniture for a very long time. It's famous for being strong, weather-resistant and beautiful, but what exactly is teakwood? Where does it come from, why can it stay outside, and why does it turn grey after a while? In this article you'll read everything about the material itself: origin, properties, quality, greying and whether you should oil it. You'll also learn what teak look and Vironwood are, because in the shop "teak" doesn't always mean real wood.
In short: teak is tropical hardwood with oil naturally present in the wood. That's why it can stand outside untreated. Over time it turns silver-grey: that's normal and not rot. Oiling is a choice, not a must. Note: many furniture pieces with "teak" in the name are teak look on aluminium or Vironwood. To be upfront: our range currently has no solid teak, but it does have teak look alternatives and acacia.
What is teakwood and where does it come from?
Teak is the wood of the teak tree (Tectona grandis), a large deciduous tree from the tropics. Originally it grows in South and Southeast Asia, including India, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. Today most teak used for garden furniture comes from plantations. Indonesia, and Java in particular, has been known for it for a very long time. Teak is also planted in other tropical countries.
Teak is classed as tropical hardwood. It has been used for centuries for things that need to withstand water, such as ship decks, and later for garden furniture too. Freshly sawn, it has a golden-brown to honey colour, sometimes with dark streaks. Outdoors that colour slowly changes to silver-grey.
Want to compare teak with other woods such as acacia, eucalyptus or robinia? Then read popular wood types for garden furniture.
Properties: why teak works so well outdoors
The secret of teak lies in the wood itself. The heartwood naturally contains oils and resins. These make the wood water-repellent and less attractive to fungi and insects. That's why teak doesn't need a paint layer or stain to stand outside.
| Property | What you notice |
|---|---|
| Natural oil in the wood | Absorbs little water, can stand outside untreated |
| Resistant to rot and fungi | Lasts a long time if you keep it clean |
| Dense and sturdy | Heavy, doesn't blow over easily |
| Relatively low movement | Less risk of warping than many other woods |
| Greys outdoors | Turns silver-grey, unless you oil it |
| Expensive to buy | Slow-growing hardwood, often from far away |
Teak is still wood, and wood is alive. It expands a little when wet and shrinks when dry. Small hairline cracks in the end grain are part of that and are not a sign of poor quality.
Quality: heartwood, sapwood and A grade
Not every piece of teak is equally good. The difference lies mainly in the part of the trunk the wood comes from:
- Heartwood: the inner part of the trunk. Darker, more even in colour and with the most oil. This is the wood you want outdoors.
- Sapwood: the lighter outer layer, just under the bark. It contains less oil and is therefore less resistant to moisture and fungi.
Sellers often use the terms A, B and C grade. A then stands for almost pure heartwood, B for wood with more variation and C for wood with a lot of sapwood. Note: this is a trade classification, not an official standard. Each supplier applies it slightly differently. So check for yourself too: an even colour, few light patches and few knots point to good heartwood.
Teak that is remarkably cheap often contains a lot of sapwood. You can see it in light, almost yellow stripes in the wood. Those parts need more maintenance and don't last as long.
Plantations, certification and recycled teak
In the past, teak came mainly from natural forests. To spare those forests, teak for garden furniture now comes largely from plantations. That's better for nature, but it doesn't tell the whole story about how the wood is produced. So look out for:
- A certification mark such as FSC. It shows the wood comes from responsibly managed forest or a responsible plantation.
- Recycled teak: wood from old buildings, boats or furniture. It often already has a weathered, grey look, and no new tree has been felled for it.
- Clear origin: an honest seller can tell you where the wood comes from.
You can read more about sustainable choices in which garden furniture is the most sustainable.
Why does teakwood turn grey?
If you leave teak outside untreated, the golden-brown colour turns silver-grey within a few months to a year. How quickly that happens depends on how much sun and rain the furniture gets.
What happens: UV light from the sun slowly breaks down the top layer of the wood, and rain washes the pigments away. What remains is a thin grey layer, the patina. It sits only on the outside. The wood underneath stays healthy and keeps its oil. Greying is therefore not rot and has no effect on strength.
Many people actually like that silver-grey colour. If you'd rather not have it, you can restore the original colour by cleaning and lightly sanding. Do note the difference between grey and green or black: green film and black spots are dirt or mould on the surface. Clean those off, see cleaning a wooden garden table.
Oiling teak: yes or no?
Because teak already contains oil, you don't need to treat it to leave it outside. Teak oil is mainly a choice for colour:
| Your choice | What you do | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Let it weather | Clean now and then | Silver-grey, little work |
| Keep the colour | Clean and oil | Warm golden-brown, recurring work |
| Restore the grey to brown | Clean, sand, oil | Brown again, then keep it up |
If you start oiling, you'll need to keep repeating it. If you stop, the wood will still turn grey, often patchy at first. For a step-by-step guide to cleaning, sanding and oiling teak, read treating teakwood for outdoor use. For oil, stain and varnish on other wood types, see treating wooden garden furniture.
Decide in the first season
Decide early whether you want teak to turn grey or stay brown. If you want to keep the colour, start oiling while the wood is still new and clean. If it has already greyed, clean it thoroughly first before applying any oil. Always follow the manufacturer's advice too.
Teak, teak look, Vironwood and acacia
In the garden furniture world, the word "teak" is used for several different things. For many pieces it isn't a type of wood but a colour or a finish. These are the four variants you'll come across most often:
| Material | What is it? | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Solid teak | Real tropical hardwood | Clean, oil as desired |
| Teak look on aluminium | Wood print or colour on metal | Mild soapy water, no oil |
| Vironwood | Plastic top with a wood look | Mild soapy water, no oil |
| Acacia | Real hardwood, different species | Oil yearly |
Teak look gives you the warm appearance of teak, but keeps the same colour and doesn't grey. The frame is aluminium, so it's lighter and doesn't rust. Vironwood is a plastic mainly used for tabletops; you can read more in what is Vironwood. Acacia is real wood, often cheaper than teak, but it dries out faster and therefore needs oil every year.
Torn between real wood and the convenience of metal? In aluminium or teak garden furniture we put them side by side, with a quick test.
Real teak or teak look? How to check
The product name alone says little. Run through these points before you compare a piece as "teak":
- Check the specifications for the material of the frame and top, not just the name
- If it says aluminium or Vironwood, it's teak look
- Words like "look", "light teak" or "natural teak" usually point to a colour or finish
- Real teak is heavy: compare the weight with a similar piece of furniture
- With real wood you see different grain on each piece; with a print the pattern repeats
- For real teak, the seller often states the origin or a certification mark such as FSC
Teak look and acacia in our range
To be honest: our range currently has no available furniture in solid teak. You will find garden furniture with the look of teak, on an aluminium frame or with a Vironwood top. We also show acacia for those who want real wood. All specs below come from the product information; you can see current prices and shops on the cards.
Sardinia: lounge dining set in teak look
With the Sardinia, the corner bench is made of aluminium with a warm teak look print, combined with sand-coloured rope. The 150 x 84 cm table is also aluminium with a teak look finish. According to the product information, you keep the frame clean with mild soapy water: oil is not needed.
Sardinia lounge dining set 5-piece
Edison: oval table with Vironwood top
The Edison garden table has a light brown Vironwood top which, according to the product information, has the look of real teak but is made of plastic. The frame is aluminium with a carbon black powder coating. At 180 x 115 cm there's room for 4 to 6 people. You don't need to use oil or varnish: cleaning is enough.
Edison oval garden table 180x115 cm
Bologna: low lounge table in teak colour
Only looking for a wood accent for your lounge set? The Bologna lounge table has a Vironwood top in a light teak colour on a carbon black aluminium frame. It measures 130 x 70 cm and is 35 cm high.
Bologna lounge table 130x70 cm
Chicago: lounge armchair in natural teak look
The Chicago lounge armchair has an aluminium frame in a brown teak look, with sand-coloured cushions. The seat height is 40 cm and the seat cushion is 12 cm thick. Clean the frame with mild soapy water and a soft cloth.
Chicago lounge armchair natural teak look
Hawaii Big Pole II: cantilever parasol with teak look frame
You also see teak look with parasols. The Hawaii Big Pole II is a cantilever parasol measuring 350 x 350 cm, with an aluminium frame in light teak look and an anthracite canopy. It tilts and, according to the product information, is wind-resistant up to Beaufort 4.
Hawaii Big Pole II parasol 350x350 cm
Santos: real wood, but acacia
Do you want real wood after all? The Santos lounge dining set is made of FSC-certified acacia wood with a whitewash finish and taupe rope. You get two bench sections, an acacia wood table and two stools, with 15 cushions in sand colour. This is the left-hand version. With acacia, do allow for an annual oiling session.
Santos lounge dining set 5-piece left
Also worth a look:
Lowland: teak look and Centostone
View table →
Bahama sport bench in teak look
View bench →
Montreal tête-à-tête, acacia
View bench →How to choose quickly
- Want the wood look without oiling: choose teak look on aluminium or a Vironwood top
- Want real wood and don't mind oiling every year: choose acacia
- Want solid teak: look for heartwood, origin and a certification mark
- Always check the material of the frame and top in the specifications
Know the material but not yet which piece of furniture? The selection guide will help you narrow it down in a few questions. Or browse all aluminium garden furniture, aluminium garden tables, wooden garden furniture, acacia lounge sets, acacia garden tables and cantilever parasols.
Common mistakes
Assuming "teak" in the name means solid teak
Many pieces use "teak", "light teak" or "teak look" as a colour or finish. Check the material in the specifications before comparing prices or maintenance.
Teak oil on teak look or Vironwood
Oil is for real wood. On a print, aluminium or plastic it won't soak in, and a sticky layer is left behind that dirt clings to.
Mistaking grey teak for rot
The silver-grey layer sits only on the outside. The wood underneath is healthy. Only green film and black spots need cleaning.
Using a pressure washer
A harsh jet roughens the surface and raises the grain. Brush teak with lukewarm water instead, following the grain.
Covering with plastic
Under a non-breathable cover, moisture gets trapped and mould gets a chance. Choose a breathable cover or store the furniture in a dry, ventilated space.
Frequently asked questions
Can teak wood stay outdoors all year round?
Yes. Teak contains natural oils, absorbs little water and is highly resistant to mould and rot. A teak garden piece can therefore stay outside untreated. In winter, a breathable cover will keep off leaves, bird droppings and green build-up, and cushions should always be stored somewhere dry.
Do you need to oil teak wood?
No, it isn't necessary. Oiling is a choice about colour: if you want to keep the warm golden-brown tone, clean the wood and then apply a thin coat of teak oil. If you prefer the silvery-grey colour, cleaning is enough. For a step-by-step guide to treating teak outdoors, read our article on treating teak for outdoor use.
Why does teak wood turn grey?
Sunlight and rain slowly break down the top layer of the wood and wash out the natural pigments. This gives teak a silvery-grey patina. It only affects the surface and is not rot: the wood underneath stays healthy. Cleaning and light sanding will bring back the original colour.
What is the difference between teak and the teak look?
Teak is genuine tropical hardwood. The teak look is a finish that resembles teak, such as a teak-look print on aluminium or a Vironwood tabletop, a plastic material with a wood-like appearance. The teak look does not grey and needs no oil: a mild soap solution is enough. Check the specifications for the frame and tabletop materials to see the difference.
Can I compare solid teak furniture on Boender Outdoor?
At the moment, there is no solid teak furniture available in our range. However, you will find garden furniture with a teak look on aluminium or a Vironwood tabletop, which offers the appearance of teak with little maintenance. If you really want real wood, look at acacia instead, though it does need oiling once a year.
Is teak wood sustainable?
It depends on the origin. Teak from well-managed plantations or carrying a certification such as FSC is a more responsible choice than wood whose source you don't know. Reclaimed teak, for example from old buildings, is also an option. When buying, always ask about the origin and the certification.
