What is teak wood?

Teak wood is extremely suitable for making furniture, both for indoor use and as garden furniture. A big advantage of teak furniture is that the wood does not necessarily have to be treated with oil or varnish and lasts a very long time. Teak garden furniture has been known to the general public for a long time, but since the 90s teak furniture for indoors has also been made in all kinds of designs and styles. Souren Furniture has 40 years of experience with wood and with teak wood alone for over 20 years.

Maintenance of teak indoor furniture

Teak indoor furniture is easy to maintain. The furniture can be wiped with a damp cloth and kept clean. Green soap is often recommended as the easiest solution to maintain teak furniture to retain a natural look. Teak wood is naturally a greasy type of wood, this in combination with the greasy green soap provides a natural protective layer. In addition, there are also various types of oils and varnishes on the market that can protect the furniture against rings and stains.

Origin of teak furniture

Teak furniture comes mainly from Java, Indonesia. In particular Central Java where cities like Jepara and Semarang ensure a lot of production and export. Jepara is known worldwide for its furniture makers and craftsmanship, based on Indonesian teak. It is estimated that in Jepara alone, around 80,000 people work in different factories. In addition to Indonesia, there are other countries and areas where teak furniture comes from, including Chang Mai, Thailand. The favorable location of the port of Semarang, the local craftsmanship, good quality teak and close ties with the Netherlands ensure a lot of production and export. Souren Furniture has had the same suppliers for many years and close ties with the local population.

Kayu Jati

Kayu Jati is the Indonesian translation of teak! And we are talking about Indonesian furniture here. Loosely translated, "Kayu Jati" means "pure teak". Have you ever been to Indonesia? Then you have probably seen or heard it here or there! Incidentally, Jati alone is often enough to make it clear that it is teak.

Plantation teak wood

The plantation teak used for the teak furniture originates from the teak plantations established by the Indonesian government. These were often established in the period of the Dutch East Indies and now serve for prosperity and labor in Central Java. Certificates are issued for this plantation teak, the so-called Perum Perhutani.

Recycled teak wood

The recycled teak comes from old buildings and wooden houses that are being demolished. In addition to the labor to manufacture furniture, the local population receives a starting capital to place stone buildings. In addition to the extra atmosphere that this old, weathered teak gives to a new piece of furniture, it is of course also great that the wood is reused.

History of teak furniture

The Netherlands has a bond with Indonesia that goes back many centuries. The Dutch East Indies used to be a Dutch colony that included the area that is now Indonesia. At the end of the last century in the 1990s, teak furniture became very popular in the Netherlands. In the beginning, colonial furniture was often used in popular parlance. At that time, most of the furniture was dark colored and often sold as antique copies. Nowadays, teak furniture is finished in white and often a lot tighter, which fits in with a contemporary interior. The term colonial furniture is now only used for the style that was imported at that time.

Teak garden furniture

Thanks to all the good properties of teak wood, excellent garden furniture is made from it. Teak garden furniture does not need to be maintained if it is left in its original state. It can remain outside all year round and withstand almost all weather conditions. That is why teak is often considered the best type of wood to make garden furniture from.

Maintenance of teak garden furniture

Teak wood naturally gets a golden brown color. If teak is outside in the rain and under the influence of all weather conditions, it will get a gray tint over time. This can be prevented by treating the teak wood.