Why Does Teak Garden Furniture Turn Silver and Sometimes Even Black?

Many consumers opt for the ‘No’ maintenance stance when buying teak garden furniture, and as already outlined in earlier articles, if Teak wood is dried and constructed correctly, the high levels of natural rubber and silica found in A Grade teak allow garden furniture to sit outdoors all year round without rotting or moving. Over time, your teak garden furniture will turn a graceful silver, with a little dirt from the atmosphere, possibly moss and lichen too.

Why does untreated teak turn silver?

Its natures way of protecting itself. When untreated teak garden furniture is exposed to the elements, it oxidises and forms a layer to protect itself. This is purely superficial and presents no long term structural damage, infact boats and houses are still made in indonesia using teak wood. This silver layer can be gently sanded back to reveal the unprotected, bare teak timber beneath.

To prevent your furniture turning silver you can use furniture covers, cleaners, oils and sealers.

Why has my furniture turned black?

The most likely cause for teak garden furniture turning black is applying teak oil to aged silver timber. Oils must only be applied to new or bare timber. If you have been treating your furniture then apply a further coat directly on to damp or dirty teak, you may find it will turn black. In these cases, you will either have to restore the teak back to bare timber before reapplying oil, or alternatively, leave your garden furniture to weather naturally which, over time, will turn silver.

Why has my furniture turned green?

When teak garden furniture is left in cool damp conditions for a sustained period of time, algae will naturally grow. Warm soapy water and a nylon scrubbing brush is the perfect antidote and will clear the vast majority of the algae.

Why has my furniture got black spots?

Cheaper teak that has not been dried properly may suffer from sap seeping through the timber. This can rise to the surface creating small black spots. Another condition which may give way to black spots on table tops is corrosion from steel screws used in the construction process. Sometimes, cheap quality screws corrode when damp and give rise to black spots. These, over time will naturally fade away.

Indonesia Outdoor Furniture by Adam Thain