The history of teak furniture dates back to before the 19th century when it was used mainly in Chinese export trade with the European world. The use of teak wood in furniture by European wood craftsmen began with the Victorian era. Advances in woodworking technology enabled European woodworkers to use teak to manufacture elegant and unique decorative furniture.

Teak wood is the common name for the Tectona Grandis tree, native to Southeast Asia, in particular, Burma or Myanmar, India, and Thailand. Teak has been highly valued worldwide throughout history. Teak dates back as early as 7th Century Siam Thailand, where it was used for building and decorating royal residences, religious buildings, and trade ships. Other cultures began using teak wood for shipbuilding in the Middle Ages, and its buoyancy, water resistance, durability and anti-fungal properties make it an ideal material for marine construction to this day. The Dutch established teak wood plantations in 1816, these are now being administered by the government of Indonesia. The teak wood tree grows to a height of 46 meters or 150 feet with a straight solid trunk. The bark of the teak wood tree is grey and the trunk has a white sap-wood. Teak wood trees are harvested after about 40 years.

Teak wood is a typically a pleasing golden to dark brown color, sometimes reddish brown, with a straight grain. Left alone in outdoor or garden environments it will turn a silvery grey color without finishing. Primarily it is best for outdoor garden furniture, for such things as garden benches, folding chairs, planters, folding tables, expanding tables, deck chairs, loungers and steamers, and decoration for garden and outdoor spaces generally. Teak wood is the best choice for garden furniture.

Teak wood has been renowned for centuries for its attractive appearance and ability to withstand nearly all climates. Teak wood combines both these characteristics, a rich, satisfying appearance, and a toughness that is unmatched by any other hardwood, to be a solid choice for wood furniture, particularly for outdoor garden furniture and, in a different way, for indoor furniture.

Teak wood contains natural oil, which adds to its natural outdoor or garden durability making it resistant to moisture and the drying effects of exposure to the weather and elements. Traditionally teak wood has been used in ship and marine boat construction as well as flooring, carved furniture and wood carving generally, Venetian blinds and veneer, cabinets, panels, and of course fine teak furniture indoor and outdoor teak garden furniture.

It is also easy to work with, and it is resistant to decay. The main advantage of teak for the building of ships is its unique ability to prevent rust and corrosion when in contact with metal. These qualities make it a valuable resource. Even today, teak wood is used in the construction of ships and expensive yachts and boats.

When the ships were no longer sea worthy the ships decking was in such good condition that the teak wood was recycled and made into outdoor furniture. It is possible that the first outdoor teak benches were made of old ship decks. Teak wood is so durable and strong that there are century old teak park benches in England still in use today.

The harvesting of teak wood is not an easy process. The logs are so heavy they will not float. Therefore, transporting the wood is not a particularly easy thing to do. In fact, elephants pull the logs through the jungle regions, just as they did a century ago. The elephants must pull the logs a long way through the jungles to the waterways. The trained elephants stack the logs in piles.

Teak wood was admired for its beauty back in the 1800s in India. It was able to capture the romantic nature of the Victorian era making it a perfect complement to an English garden. The durable and versatile nature of teak wood make it well sought after throughout the world.

Teak is grown today throughout Central America, parts of South America and Asia. Teak wood today is used for indoor wood flooring and other general construction. Teak is popular for durable and beautiful outdoor patio furniture. Its high oil content makes it ideal for outdoor furniture. Teak wood patio furniture is favored among high-end ski resorts. For construction projects requiring durability and elegance, teak wood is the wood of choice.