Perhaps the most popular types of teak furniture purchased by far are the teak lounge chair category. This category has two main types of loungers. Teak Chaise loungers and Teak Steamer or Teak Deck Chairs. Both offer comfort and style and utility in very unique ways.
The traditional Teak Chaise Lounger usually has a longer and wider lower section that is fixed in a horizontal position on most Teak Chaise Loungers. The upper end of the Teak Chaise lounger is usually adjustable from horizontal or flat to three or more upright positions. There are some higher end Teak Chaise loungers that offer multiple positions for the lower section. There are even some that offer a total of 32 possible positions in combination of the upper and lower section positions.
The Teak Chaise Lounger typically has wheels affixed to the upper or head end of the lounger chair. As Teak Chaise loungers are usually larger and heavier, (60 to 70 lbs on average) than the Teak Steamer Lounge chairs, the wheels make for ease of movement and positioning without the strain if lifting a medium size load.
Teak Steamer Loungers are traditionally shorter in overall length and width than most Teak Chaise Loungers. This provides some advantages for lifting storing and positioning. Teak Steamer chairs usually fold into a compact size with ease. This makes mobility and portability much more achievable with Steamers versus Chaises. Another comfort feature of the teak Chaise Longer is they usually come with a hidden tray which slide out to either side and provides a great surface to food, drinks or other lounging type items.
Teak Steamer Lounge chairs most commonly have an adjustable upper back-rest section that recline into three or more positions. The lower leg section is usually fixed into a slightly declined position. Some Teak Steamers are made to have the lower leg section removable which adds versatility not found in teak chaise loungers. This makes them much more light weight and more of a reclining steamer chair versus a steamer lounger.
Teak Steamer chairs typically have a contoured or curved bottom seat, leg and back rest sections. Teak Chaise Loungers are typically flat on all surfaces, although there are some models with a curved back rest section. Shipping costs for online internet orders are usually lower with a steamer chair, as they easily fold and fit into a much smaller size box than the larger Chaise lounge chairs. 
As most parcel shipping companies charge based on the size of the box versus the weight in most cases, this make the cost of shipping Steamer lounge chairs lower than Teak Chaise Loungers.
We hope you find this comparison useful in determining the style of longer that is best suited for your needs.
With all the online stores and retail outlets making claims about the quality of their teak wood used to make their teak furniture products.. How do you know how to determine if what you are paying for is really the grade generally accepted as ‘A’ grade Teak, or ‘B’ or ‘C’ grade teak? We have found outline below to be a very useful guide with respect to the quality and look & feel of the teak wood on teak furniture items you purchase.
Select: Grade ‘A’
No sap wood
No knot (live nor dead)
No black nature grain
Uniform in color
Uniform in grain (quarter cut)
No mirror (when the sun goes on wood, it will shine, on oak it like a shiny tiger mark).
No water grain
No pin hole
Zero defect
Nature: Grade ‘A’ or ‘B’
No sap wood
No knot (live is allowed 5%)
black nature grain is allowed
Uniform in color
Good grain (combination)
Small mirror is permitted.
Little water grain
No pin hole
Rustic: Grade ‘C’ sap wood
Generally, it is the lowest grade, on teak sometime factories uses chemical to manipulate it to look like ‘B’ ‘C’ grade.
Darker wood, grain is very clear and usually dark as well.
We hope you find this guide for buying Teak furniture products very useful. We have found this to be a very useful and objective tool for evaluating teak furniture products.
After years of neglecting my outdoor living space, I decided to make an investment in teak furniture. I did some research on the inherent qualities of teak wood and the natural teak oils that protect the wood from the elements, rot, insects etc. As I learned, teak wood requires no maintenance, staining, and protective coating or otherwise. As a matter of fact, it is recommended that nothing is done to the wood!! Unbelievable. I thought all wood other than pressure treated wood would rot. Over time, teak wood will take on a natural silver gray hue.
Here is what I bought for my outdoor patio. I got an Expansion Table that expands to 71″ and seats 6 people comfortably. I purchased six Folding Chairs and two Folding Arm Chairs for seating. Next I purchased a foldout Teak Bar that is really cool. When fully extended, it is over 70 inches wide. I purchased four Teak Stools to go along with the Teak Bar. I have it next to the French doors leading to my indoor kitchen for quick access to re-supply the Teak Bar.
I then purchased a Garden Bench that seats two and two Garden Arm Chairs and set them up in the grassy area leading to the pool. I intend to build a stone fire pit in between the bench and chairs. For the pool area, I spent a little more than I originally intended but it looks great. I purchased six Chaise Loungers that have 32 comfort settings. Over near the sunken hot tub I placed a 47″ Round Folding Teak Table outfitted with four more Teak Folding Chairs that match the ones I purchased for the 71″ Expansion Table.
I accessorized by adding a Teak Bar table and Chair Set, Teak Storage Box for towels and toys, Rolling Teak Tray and Cart and four Teak Planters. To tie it all together, I purchased two 7.5†Wood Market umbrellas with Sunbrella Mahogany/Brass Vintage Strip fabric. I ordered 3†outdoor cushions for all my folding chairs, benches and arm chairs in Sunbrella Mauritius Coffee fabric. For the chaise loungers, I decided on Sunbrella Sailcloth Shell fabric. I really like the way these fabrics complement each other and the teak wood.
My entire outdoor living area now looks fantastic. It is comfortable, functional and the Teak wood will last a lifetime.
By Thomas Easterday
Why should you use wood furniture outdoors? To some people this is not even a question! The right question would be, “Why wouldn’t you use wood furniture outdoors?” There is a wide variety of materials that are made to be used outdoors, including plastic, metal, wicker and other synthetic materials. With all of the other options for outdoor furniture, the reasons of why one should use wood should be carefully examined before you buy furniture for your outdoor oasis.
Wood is meant to be outdoors. Trees grow in the great outdoors, so it makes sense that furniture made from trees should be kept outdoors. It is no wonder that wood furniture, when treated and cared for properly, can last outdoors for years. The type of wood you pick of will determine just how well the wood weathers over time.
Although wood does weather over time, you can protect your outdoor wood furniture by carefully taking care of it every season. Paint and stain are good ways of protecting your wood furniture from the sun because they add an additional layer of defense to the wood. Water-repellent stains are also important to add to your outdoor furniture to protect it from water damage, which causes the wood to rot and crack. When using either paint or stain, you want to have a durable blend so that it dries fast and completely, and does not rub off on people sitting down on the furniture.
Another way to protect your wood and make it last for years to come is to buy special kinds of wood. Treated wood is one such option, as it is resistant to rotting from the elements. But one of the issues with treated wood is that it often comes green, and can more easily warp than regular wood.
Teak furniture is a popular choice for outdoor furniture. Teak wood is an extremely dense hardwood is often praised for its durability. It also has natural oils that protect it from the elements, even when left untreated. Often grown in Indonesia, Teak is very resistant to attacks by termites and other insects because the high oil content makes it water repellent.
Chinese Oak is a dense hardwood with a very fine grain. It is a naturally light wood and sometimes has a pinkish tint. The tannic acid in Chinese Oak makes it ideal for use in outdoor furniture because it is naturally resistant to attacks by fungi and insects.
Cedar, especially Western Red Cedar is a very popular choice for outdoor furniture because of its beautiful color and finish. Often grown in Canada, Western Red Cedar is also naturally resistant to decay and insect damage when exposed to rain, sun, heat, or cold all year. When properly treated, Red Cedar furniture may last for decades in the harshest of environments.
A final way to protect your outdoor wood furniture and maintain it for the long haul is to simply put a roof over it. Whether it is an awning on your deck, a covered roof for your sunroom or your garage during the winter, a roof can go a long way to help you keep the sun, rain and wind off of your wood furniture and protect it for years to come.
Thomas Easterday is the Director of Marketing for The Cedar Station. The Cedar Station carries a complete line of Outdoor Furniture for your enjoyment. For more information about The Cedar Station please visit http://www.thecedarstation.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Easterday
By Jennifer Akre
You just finished installing this new deck and now you are looking for a nice way to furnish it? Well, one of the best seating options that you could go with is lovely garden benches. One is a comfortable seating selection that is sure to please.
What makes garden benches so comfortable is their lovely design. One will have long, spacious seating area that is perfect for seating two, even three people. This is the very basic design of one because you can get other ones have even more relaxing features, including backrests that can be slanted along with armrests. You can even get ones with curving seats that nicely contour to your body and one way to make your garden bench even more relaxing than it already is, is buy purchasing a lovely cushion for it. That’s right, nothing is better than resting your weary body on a thick, plush layer of padding. When getting your cushion, go with one that is made from Sunbrella fabric. It is the best option around and will hold up well under the elements.
When purchasing the garden benches for your outdoor space, the main thing that you need to keep in mind is to get one that is crafted out of a higher quality material. The reason that this is important is because if you go with something that is cheaper, then you will be out of luck when it can’t stand up to the outdoor weather. So, go with the better material options and some of them include durable woods like Southern Yellow Pine, Southern Cypress, Alder, Shorea, and Teak along with thick, sturdy synthetic materials including polymer, resin, and recycled plastic. Each one of these materials will stand the test of time in any outdoor area, plus, they all have a fantastic look to them that will add a nice decorative element to your space.
Along with being a great addition to your deck, garden benches would also be a nice choice for placing in other areas as well. Like, maybe you have a front porch area, well, one would be a fabulous choice for that space since it would give you a wonderful spot to take in all the sights and sounds of the neighborhood after a long walk. You could also put one on a backyard lawn area for a comfy place to rest during those lawn games and the most obvious spot to put one is in your garden to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Basically, one would work great anyway and some other spots you could put one include on the side of your house, on a patio, and even indoors in a larger foyer or entryway area.
So, if you are looking for some comfortable seating for your outdoor space, turn to fabulous garden benches. They have a fantastic design, perfect for placing on any deck, porch, or patio area. Get one today so you can enjoy sitting on it tomorrow.
As the owner of many online sites, author Jennifer Akre, shares her insight on how to make your outdoor living space more comfortable with elegant [http://www.eadirondackstyle.com/garden-benches-information.html]garden benches, lavish [http://www.eadirondackstyle.com/teak-chairs-information.html]teak chairs, and awesome [http://www.eadirondackstyle.com]patio furniture. Each would be a fantastic addition to your outdoor deck, patio, or porch area.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Akre
