Complete Guide for First Time Teak Garden Bench Buyers
Looking for the perfect teak garden benches can be a daunting task. With their gold standard materials and varying designs, prices can quickly spiral out of control and you can easily find yourself with a poor-quality piece at extortionate prices. There’s a lot to take in, from teak wood grades, to fit and finishes to style - teak benches are something you can’t afford to go in uninformed about. That’s exactly why we have put together this complete guide for first time teak garden benches buyers, to make sure you don’t end up with low quality furniture and empty in the pockets. Follow our step-by-step process below and you’ll find yourself with incredible teak benches with less time and stress. Teak Quality - Getting Good Grades
That’s right, working for good grades isn’t just reserved for school and university, when it comes to finding the best teak garden bench possible you need to be vigilant as to the quality of wood you’re getting. This step will make or break your teak bench ownership experience and will dictate the aesthetics and durability of your purchase in the coming years. So what to look for? The differences between grade-A teak and its lower B and C-grade counterparts can be subtle but not impossible to spot. These grades vary by how they are sourced - grade-A teak is taken from the core heartwood of mature teak trees, whereas grades B and C are often milled from more superficial timber of immature trees. The results are massive. Grade-A teak is higher in natural oils and rubber, meaning it’s a lot more durable and softer to touch than lower quality pieces. In terms of aesthetics, grade-A teak has even grains throughout and an even honey-gold complexion. Lower-quality teak often appears blotchy, has an uneven grain and is rougher to touch. When shopping for your teak garden benches, inspect the fineness of the wood grain, the skin feel (rough or smooth), and the consistency of the complexion. Tip: Teak which has been stained is often a sign of the seller trying to cover up the low quality wood (not always, but pay extra attention in these cases). Build Quality - Cutting Wood Doesn’t Mean Cutting Corners
Finding great quality wood for your teak garden bench is one thing, finding great build quality to match is another. Teak is renowned for its ability to weather the harshest of storms and remain strong and beautiful, but that doesn’t mean you can afford to put it together with weak joints and resins. Otherwise you’ll end up with a creaky rocking bench not too far down the line. Many manufacturers who offer budget teak benches may seem like a great deal at first, but low prices are often an indicator that corners have been cut in the sourcing or manufacturing process (sometimes both). Always ask the manufacturer or seller about their build methods - any worthwhile sales rep or business owner will be happy to settle any doubts. To get specific, look for teak benches built with strong mortise and tenon joints, and genuine European polyurethane glue and resins. This will ensure your garden teak bench will remain as strong and sturdy as it is beautiful for the years to come. The Seller - A Luxurious Experience or Just Another Sale?
You can have the finest grade-A teak in the world, and the most time-intensive build quality possible, but if the person or company you’re buying from is disinterested, unmotivated to answer any questions or settle any doubts you may have, what makes you sure they’ll be there to support you in the future should you need their help after your purchase? Aim to buy from those with a strong background in not only supplying quality garden teak benches, but with a track record of great customer service and follow-up support. This way you’ll rest assured knowing you’re in good hands if you happen to require any further services or solutions. The Style - Where Things Get Fun
Now that you have all the technical pieces out the way, you can finally move on to the fun part of the buying process - choosing your preferred teak bench style for your garden. Choices are plentiful nowadays, with styles ranging from contemporary builds for modern restaurants and resorts, to classically styled pieces for quaint cafes and lodges in the country. If you’re looking for a more contemporary style, we’d recommend looking at Banana or Cliveden styles, or for a more classical twist check out the British-style Lutyens or Balmoral teak garden benches. Shop around to get a feel for your personal tastes and requirements. With all these bases covered, you’ll be sure to find your dream teak benches which will happily serve your beloved garden space and keep your guests delighted for a lifetime to come.
