Teak Wood vs Faux Teak for Commercial Outdoor Furniture

As an interior designer, selecting outdoor furniture for commercial spaces requires you to consider durability, aesthetics, and cost-effectiveness. Teak wood and faux teak can both be excellent choices for commercial outdoor furniture. However, they each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

In this review of contract-grade teak and faux teak outdoor furniture, we hope to help you make an informed choice for your specific needs. For everything from hotels, shopping malls, hospitals, and restaurants, contract-grade outdoor furniture made from either of the materials can be ideal, depending on your design needs.

Teak Wood: Time-Tested Elegance and Durability

1. Natural Beauty: Teak wood, with its rich, golden-brown hue, exudes timeless elegance. Its fine grain and warm color make it a popular choice for high-end commercial spaces like luxury hotels, upscale restaurants, and exclusive resorts. Teak’s aesthetic appeal can enhance the overall ambiance and leave a lasting impression on your patrons.

2. Exceptional Durability: Teak wood is renowned for its natural durability. It contains natural oils that act as a built-in defense mechanism against decay, insects, and rot. This innate resistance makes it an ideal choice for outdoor furniture, where exposure to the elements is a constant factor.

3. Weather Resistance: Teak wood’s ability to withstand extreme weather conditions is a significant advantage. It can endure both scorching sun and heavy rain without deteriorating, maintaining its integrity for years. This is ideal, whether you’re looking for outdoor restaurant tables or chaise lounges around a pool.

4. Low Maintenance: Teak wood’s natural oils not only protect it from damage but also make it easy to maintain. Periodic cleaning and annual application of teak oil is typically all that’s required to keep your teak furniture looking its best. If spills occur, you can apply an absorbent material to the spill and then rub with sandpaper. Otherwise, marks from spills will eventually be washed out and bleached by the elements.

5. Longevity: With proper care, teak wood furniture can last for decades. Its longevity and low maintenance requirements can lead to cost savings in the long run, making it a wise investment.

6. Ageless Patina: Over time, teak wood naturally weathers to an elegant silver-grey patina. Many people find this aged look to be charming and full of character. If you prefer the natural appearance, apply teak oil before the furniture begins to weather and change color (approximately before 3 months), and then annually thereafter. Teak oil should not be applied over accumulated oil or dirt. This can cause the furniture to turn black over time. If necessary, remove previous oil or dirt by vigorous scrubbing or use of a pressure washer.

Faux Teak: A Practical and Cost-Effective Alternative

1. Affordability: Faux teak wood is a cost-effective alternative to natural teak wood. It provides the look and feel of real teak without the higher price tag. This makes it a practical choice for commercial spaces with budget constraints.

2. Low Maintenance: Faux teak requires minimal maintenance. It’s easy to clean, and you won’t need to worry about applying sealants or oils to maintain its appearance.

3. Consistent Appearance: Faux teak offers a uniform appearance. You won’t have to deal with variations in wood grain or color, ensuring a consistent look across your outdoor furniture.

4. Resistance to Stains and UV: Faux teak is typically engineered to be resistant to stains and UV rays, ensuring that it retains its original look even in harsh outdoor conditions.

5. Customization Options: Faux teak allows for a range of color and texture options, enabling you to match your furniture to your commercial space’s overall aesthetic.

Teak Wood or Faux Teak?

The choice between teak wood and faux teak for your commercial outdoor furniture ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget, and the ambiance you wish to create.

Choose Teak Wood When:

• Aesthetics and ambiance are of paramount importance. If you want to create a luxurious and elegant outdoor setting, natural teak wood’s beauty and warmth are hard to beat.
• Longevity is a key factor. If you plan to invest in outdoor furniture that will last for many years with minimal maintenance, teak wood is an excellent choice.
• You’re in a high-end commercial sector. Luxury hotels, upscale restaurants, and exclusive resorts often opt for teak wood to convey an image of sophistication and quality.

Choose Faux Teak When:

• Budget constraints are a primary concern. Synthetic teak offers a cost-effective alternative that can provide the look and feel of teak wood without the high price tag.
• Low maintenance is essential. Faux teak requires minimal upkeep, making it a practical choice for businesses looking to reduce maintenance costs.
• You want a consistent appearance. Faux teak offers a uniform look, which can be especially appealing in settings where consistency is key.

Order Teak Wood or Faux Teak Commercial Outdoor Furniture

The choice between natural teak and synthetic teak wood for commercial outdoor furniture is a decision that depends on your specific needs and budget. Both options offer their own advantages, from teak wood’s timeless beauty and durability to faux teak‘s practicality and cost-effectiveness.

Calico uses only high quality, grade-A Indonesian teak from sustainable sources. It is kiln dried to a moisture content of 8 – 12%, which eliminates or reduces checking, cracking, splitting, and warpage.

Contact us today to discuss the needs of  your project, whether it requires natural teak wood or faux teak.