Sunday, June 22, 2008

Teak Tables - They've Made A Comeback

Teak tables are back and stronger than ever.

You may remember back in the 50s and 60s when teak tables were what everyone who was anyone had in their home. Then, like other trends in fashion, they went by the wayside and went out of style.

But, they are back, and it seems this time they are here to stay. Not only do those purchasing teak tables today understand the beauty of the wood but they also realize there are many other benefits to teak than just its looks.

Teak tables were not a new thing in the 50s and 60s when they were popular. They actually have been around for centuries, being used for generations in other areas of the world.

When the strong and watertight properties of teak were discovered, this wood became a common material to create boats and other water-faring vessels.

The realization that the wood was not only strong and waterproof, but also durable and beautiful saw its role expand from a building material into furniture items like teak tables.

From the standpoint of a furniture maker, teak is a wood that is very easy to work with. They can make a few mistakes in their construction and be forgiven by the ever-strong teak wood that doesn't easily spit or crack.

This same strength and durability that makes teak easy to work with is also the reason that teak tables are so popular in homes. Teak tables will go through a lot of use and abuse in a home, and put up with it.

Consider what you ask your dining room or kitchen tables to go through. These pieces of furniture are banged into, dinged, knocked around and generally beaten up by those who are making their way around your home every day. A lesser wood would start to show dings, scratches and grooves from all that abuse, but teak tables don't show their weaknesses that easily.

Teak tables are not just great for the inside of the house, but outside as well.

Part of the reason is because they are naturally waterproof. For other wooden tables left outdoors when it rains the water can seep into the wood and cause it to contract and expand, breaking and bending the wood over time.
Additionally, they are insect-proof. Insects are not a fan of the natural oils in teak and therefore avoid this kind of wood when they are looking for something to munch on. For those in termite territory, this is a priceless trait in wood tables.

When it comes to price, teak tables are going to be more expensive than other tables. This turns many people off of the tables at first because they don't want to be out a large amount of money. But, it is also important to remember the overall investment. They are going to hold up longer and stronger than other tables you may have considered.

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