Why I Don't Use Teak for Outdoor Furniture

Teak is an excellent wood for outdoor use. It is considered one of the most rot-resistant woods in the world. In fact, boat-makers have used Teak for thousands of years! That's how amazing it is. Teak is also well-loved by many woodworkers because it is extremally workable and has a great scent. The color is gorgeous too! Look at any high end, big brand website, and you are most likely going to see furniture made with Teak.

So why do I and many other custom furniture builders choose not to use Teak wood? While an excellent choice of wood for outdoor use, it is also a wood species that I stay away from because of problematic logging practices as well as human rights concerns around its logging and shipping.

Illegal logging of Teak is becoming very common practice, and it is actively destroying tropical forests. The environmental cost of shipping is also something that needs to be taken into consideration. Teak is still so loved by big brands that Teak is now actively grown on "Teak Plantations" throughout the world. In growing on these farms, the unique terroir of Teak's native habitat is missing, and the color and durability is nowhere near native Teak. And unfortunately, these plantations have environmental issues of their own.

As we work together and I select and suggest wood species, I do my best to work exclusively with lumber that has been sustainably grown and harvested, and I ideally stick to lumber that is mostly from local sawmills, reclaimed, or at the very least, US native wood species to avoid environmental impacts of overseas transportation. While I cannot always get it right, I commit as much effort as I can to ensuring that the furniture I build for you contributes toward a sustainable future.

Send me a message to get your outdoor furniture orders for this spring/summer, and let's create an outdoor space you will love! There are so many wonderful native wood species that are rot-resistant and that will stand all sorts of weather. We'll work together to select the perfect one for you.