July 21–23, 2026 AmericasMart Atlanta Building 1, Floor 6 · Booth 6D13 & 6D17 A New Chapterin Outdoor Living HiTeak at Casual Market Atlanta 2026 — discover what's next. Something is taking shape behind the scenes. This July, we open the doors to fresh designs, unexpected details, and a glimpse into what lies ahead for 2027. HiTeak Furniture · Over 30 Years of Craftsmanship 30+ Years Manufacturing 15% Volume Savings Available 3 Days in Atlanta For those who believe great outdoor spaces begin with thoughtful craftsmanship and enduring materials — we invite you to discover what's next. New for 2027 Fresh Collections Be among the first to preview upcoming dining and deep seating introductions designed for modern outdoor living — balancing enduring craftsmanship with contemporary appeal. Commercial Hospitality Solutions Commercial-grade outdoor furniture solutions crafted for boutique hospitality projects, luxury residential developments, and retail showrooms. Purchasing Program Minimum Order Benefit Ideal For Container Program 1 × 20ft Container Mix Up to 6 SKUs Retailers, Designers Volume Sales Discount Qualifying Order Up to 15% Off Hospitality Groups Early Buy Program Project-Based Preferred Pricing Sourcing & Planning ✦ New Dining & Lounge Collections — 2027 introductions making their debut at the show floor. ✦ Best-Selling Hospitality Favorites — Proven residential and commercial pieces available to explore in person. ✦ Industry Recognition — Clean architectural lines and premium teak craftsmanship, recently recognized across the outdoor furnishings industry. ✦ Direct Access to the Team — Product specialists and commercial sales staff available throughout all three days. Tuesday, July 21 Opening Day — New Collections Unveiled 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. · First preview of 2027 introductions. Doors open to trade visitors. Wednesday, July 22 Trade & Hospitality Day 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. · Dedicated sessions with the commercial sales team. Ideal for buyers, designers, and sourcing professionals. Thursday, July 23 Final Day — Last Appointment Slots 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. · Schedule early to secure dedicated consultation time before the show closes. Plan Your Visit Casual Market Atlanta is a trade-only event. Designers, retailers, hospitality buyers, and sourcing professionals are encouraged to schedule appointments in advance — early scheduling allows the HiTeak team to prepare tailored recommendations for your specific project needs. Join Us in Atlanta The story unfolds July 21–23. Visit the HiTeak showroom and experience firsthand why designers and hospitality professionals continue to choose teak built to last. Schedule an Appointment Explore Collections

Buying Guide · Deep Seating How to Choose a Teak Outdoor SectionalSizing, Shape, and Build Quality A practical guide to picking the right sectional for your patio, deck, or poolside, and the build details that separate furniture that lasts from furniture that does not. A sectional is usually the largest and most expensive piece of furniture on a patio, so it is worth getting right. The good news is that the decision comes down to four clear questions: how much space you have, what shape fits it, which cushions suit your climate, and how the piece is built. Answer those and the choice gets simple. What this guide covers How to measure your space before you shop Choosing a sectional shape and configuration Seating capacity and proportions Cushions and outdoor fabric How to judge build quality and materials Frequently asked questions Start by Measuring Your Space Before looking at any sectional, measure the area where it will sit and leave room to move around it. The most common mistake is buying a sectional that technically fits the footprint but leaves no room to walk, open a door, or pull out a chair. Sketch your space and note the total dimensions, then mark anything fixed: doors, walkways, a grill, a fire pit, the edge of a pool. As a rule of thumb, leave at least 30 inches of clearance for walking paths around the seating. Measure These Before You Shop FootprintLength x widthThe total floor area the sectional can occupy. Clearance30 inches minWalking room around the seating and to any doors. Focal pointView or fireWhat the seating should face: a view, a fire pit, a TV. Fig. 1 - The three measurements that decide which sectional fits Choose a Shape That Fits the Room Sectional shape should follow the shape of your space and how you want people to sit. The three most common outdoor configurations each suit a different layout. Common Sectional Shapes L-Shape The most versatile. Tucks into a corner and seats a group while saving floor space. U-Shape Built for conversation and larger gatherings. Needs an open, generous space. Modular Separate pieces you arrange and rearrange. Best if your layout or needs change. Fig. 2 - Three sectional configurations and where each works best If you are not sure, a modular sectional is the safest choice. Because the pieces separate, you can reconfigure it for a party, split it across a larger terrace, or adapt it if you move. It is the most forgiving option when a space is unusual or still evolving. Match Seating to How You Actually Use It Think about the number of people you host most often, not the maximum you could ever fit. A sectional sized for a once-a-year party will feel oversized the other 360 days. Two to three people, everyday lounging: a compact L-shape or a loveseat-plus-corner modular setup. Four to six people, regular entertaining: a full L-shape or a small U-shape. Six or more, frequent gatherings: a U-shape or an extended modular run with added corner and armless pieces. Proportion Tip On a deck or balcony, a low-profile sectional keeps sightlines open and the space feeling larger. In a wide open yard, a deeper, higher-backed sectional anchors the area and feels intentional rather than lost in the space. Cushions and Outdoor Fabric The frame determines how long the sectional lasts; the cushions determine how it feels and how it holds up to sun and rain. For outdoor use, the fabric matters as much as the fill. Look for performance fabrics engineered for the outdoors, such as Sunbrella, which resist fading, mildew, and water far better than standard upholstery. Quick-dry foam cores keep cushions from staying soggy after rain. If your space gets heavy sun, fade resistance should be at the top of your list. If your priority is Look for Heavy sun exposure Solution-dyed performance fabric with strong UV/fade resistance Frequent rain or humidity Quick-dry foam cores and mildew-resistant fabric Low maintenance Removable, machine-friendly covers you can clean easily Poolside use Chlorine- and splash-tolerant fabric, water-shedding fill How to Judge Build Quality This is where a teak sectional separates from a cheap one, and where most of the long-term value lives. Two sectionals can look similar in a photo and perform completely differently over a decade outdoors. Check the wood grade. Grade-A teak comes from the dense, oil-rich heartwood of mature trees. It resists moisture, warping, and insects far better than the lighter Grade-B or Grade-C wood used in budget furniture. Ask how the wood is dried. Kiln-dried teak (around 8 to 12 percent moisture content) is stable and far less likely to crack or shrink than air-dried wood. Look at the joinery. Mortise-and-tenon joints are stronger and longer-lasting than joints held together with screws or staples alone. Check the hardware. Outdoor furniture should use corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware, not plain steel that rusts and stains the wood. Confirm the warranty. A real structural warranty signals the maker stands behind the construction. A sectional is a long-term purchase. The frame is the part you cannot upgrade later, so it is the part worth spending on. Cushions can be replaced; a poorly built frame cannot. Explore HiTeak Deep Seating Solid Grade-A teak sectionals, sofas, and club chairs built for years outdoors. Shop Deep Seating Shop Sectional Sets Frequently Asked Questions How much space do I need for an outdoor sectional? Measure the full footprint where the sectional will sit, then leave at least 30 inches of clearance around it for walking and access. A focal point like a view or fire pit should guide which way the seating faces. What is the best shape for an outdoor sectional? An L-shape is the most versatile and fits most patios by tucking into a corner. A U-shape suits larger, open spaces and bigger gatherings. A modular sectional is best if your layout changes, since the pieces rearrange freely. Is teak a good material for an outdoor sectional? Yes. Grade-A teak is dense and naturally oil-rich, making it resistant to moisture, UV, and insects without chemical treatment. With simple care it lasts for decades outdoors, which is why it is considered a premium outdoor furniture material. What kind of cushions are best for outdoor sectionals? Choose performance fabrics built for the outdoors, such as Sunbrella, which resist fading and mildew, paired with quick-dry foam cores. For sunny spaces, prioritize UV and fade resistance; for rainy climates, prioritize quick-dry fill. How do I know if an outdoor sectional is well made? Check five things: Grade-A teak (not B or C), kiln-dried wood, mortise-and-tenon joinery, stainless steel hardware, and a real structural warranty. These determine how the frame holds up over years outdoors.

How to Restore Silvered Teak Back to Golden Brown A step-by-step guide to bringing weathered silver-grey teak furniture back to its original warm golden tone, using the right cleaning method, the right products, and a little patience. If your teak furniture has faded from a warm honey tone to a soft silver-grey, nothing has gone wrong. That color change is teak doing exactly what it is supposed to do. The silvering is a surface-level oxidation caused by sun and rain, and it does not weaken the wood underneath. But not everyone loves the grey. If you bought your furniture for that rich golden-brown look, the good news is that it is still there, just under the surface. With the right approach you can bring it back, and the process is more straightforward than most people expect. Here is exactly how to do it. The golden color is not gone. It is waiting one millimeter below the surface. Why Teak Turns Silver in the First Place Teak contains natural oils and a dense grain structure that protect it from the elements. When the surface is exposed to UV light and moisture over months and years, the very top layer of the wood oxidizes. The golden-brown pigments break down and the surface settles into a uniform silver-grey patina. This is purely cosmetic. The protective oils deeper in the wood remain intact, which is why Grade-A teak can sit outdoors for decades whether you keep it golden or let it go grey. Restoring the color simply means removing that thin oxidized layer and revealing the fresh wood beneath. What You Will Need You do not need specialized equipment. Most of this is about using the correct cleaner rather than scrubbing harder. A dedicated teak cleaner (avoid generic deck cleaners with harsh bleach) A soft-bristle brush or a sponge A garden hose or bucket of clean water Fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit) for stubborn spots only Teak sealer or protector, if you want to slow future greying Gloves and a shaded, dry working area Step 1: Clean the Surface Thoroughly Start by rinsing the furniture with water to remove loose dirt, pollen, and debris. Apply your teak cleaner according to the label instructions, working in sections so the product does not dry out before you can work it in. Use the soft brush to gently scrub along the direction of the grain, never against it. You will often see the grey lifting and the warmer tone returning as you work. Let the cleaner sit for the recommended time, then rinse completely. Step 2: Let It Dry Completely This step gets skipped and it matters. Teak needs to be fully dry before you assess the color or apply any sealer. Give the furniture at least 24 to 48 hours in a dry, shaded spot. Drying in direct sun can cause the surface to lighten unevenly. Once dry, you will see the true restored color. For most pieces, a thorough cleaning alone brings back the golden tone. If a few weathered spots remain, move to Step 3. Step 3: Light Sanding for Stubborn Areas For any areas that still look grey or rough, a light pass with 220-grit sandpaper removes the last of the oxidized layer. Sand gently, always with the grain, and stop as soon as the warm colour appears. The goal is to refresh the surface, not to remove material. Wipe away all dust with a dry cloth before moving on. Avoid power sanders unless you are experienced, since it is easy to create uneven low spots. Step 4: Seal to Slow Future Greying (Optional) If you want to keep the golden color for as long as possible, apply a teak sealer once the wood is clean and fully dry. A sealer slows oxidation but does not stop it permanently, so plan to reapply roughly once or twice a year depending on your climate and sun exposure. Skip the sealer if you are happy to repeat a simple cleaning each season instead. Both approaches are valid. Sealing is about convenience and color preference, not about protecting the wood, since Grade-A teak protects itself. How Often Should You Do This? For most owners, a full cleaning once a year is enough to keep teak looking golden, usually in spring before the outdoor season. In sunnier or coastal climates you may want to clean twice a year. If you seal your furniture, a quick wipe-down and reapplication on the same schedule keeps the tone consistent. Either way, the maintenance is light. A few hours once or twice a year is all it takes to keep premium teak looking the way it did the day it arrived. A Few Things to Avoid Harsh bleach or pressure washers. These strip too aggressively and can raise the grain or damage the surface. Scrubbing against the grain. This creates visible scratches that catch dirt later. Oiling as a restoration method. Teak oil can darken unevenly and often encourages mildew on outdoor furniture. A sealer made for teak is the better choice. Sealing damp wood. Trapping moisture under a sealer leads to blotchy results and can encourage mold. Keep Your Teak Looking Its Best Shop Teak Care & Cleaning Products Read the Full Teak Care & Maintenance Guide Browse Bestselling Teak Furniture Why Grade-A Teak Outlasts Every Other Material Frequently Asked Questions Can you really restore grey teak back to golden brown? Yes. The grey is only a thin oxidized surface layer. Cleaning with a teak cleaner, and lightly sanding stubborn areas, removes it and reveals the original golden-brown wood underneath. Does restoring teak damage the wood? No. You are only removing a fraction of a millimeter of oxidized surface. Grade-A teak can be cleaned and lightly sanded many times over its decades-long lifespan without losing strength. Do I need to seal teak after cleaning it? Sealing is optional. It slows the return of the silver patina and keeps the golden color longer, but it needs reapplying once or twice a year. The wood stays protected with or without it. How often should I restore the color of my teak furniture? Once a year is enough for most owners, usually in spring. In very sunny or coastal climates, twice a year keeps the golden tone consistent. Why shouldn't I use teak oil to restore the color? Teak oil can darken unevenly and tends to encourage mildew on outdoor furniture. A teak sealer made for outdoor use gives a more even, longer-lasting result.

Care Guide · Teak Furniture The Complete Teak Furniture Care GuideEverything You Need to Know to Make It Last a Lifetime Teak wood. Sling and woven straps. Sunbrella fabrics. All covered. Teak furniture practically takes care of itself. But "practically" isn't "entirely." This guide covers everything you need to keep your HiTeak pieces looking exactly the way you want them, for as long as you own them. We have broken it down by material so you can jump straight to what you need: teak wood, sling and woven straps, or Sunbrella cushion fabric. Each section includes the cleaning formulas, step-by-step instructions, and the things to avoid so you don't accidentally void your warranty. What's in this guide What to expect from new teak furniture How to clean teak wood How to remove black spots and mildew Sling and woven strap care Sunbrella fabric care Seasonal maintenance schedule Frequently asked questions What to Expect from Your New Teak Furniture New teak arrives with a warm golden-brown color. Over 6 to 24 months, it naturally weathers to a silver-gray patina. Both are considered desirable finishes by most teak owners. The timeline depends on your climate, how much direct sun and rain the piece gets, and how often you clean it. This is not deterioration. It is teak doing exactly what teak does. The structural integrity of the wood is unaffected by the color change. Many homeowners prefer the silver-gray look. Others prefer to maintain the golden tone. Both are valid choices, and both are easy to achieve. How Teak Naturally Weathers Over Time New 0-3 months Rich golden-brown tone. Transition 3-9 months Honey tones begin to soften. Weathering 9-18 months Surface moves toward pale silver-tan. Aged Patina 18-24+ months Soft silver-gray outdoor finish. Fig. 1 - Teak color progression: golden brown to silver-gray patina over 6 to 24 months Normal things you will see Oil bleeding after rain. In the first few months, teak's natural oils can surface and bleed slightly after rainfall. This is normal. Bring cushions indoors during this period as teak oil stains on fabric are not covered under warranty. Move sling chairs away from underneath teak tables during early rainfalls for the same reason. Once the wood begins to gray, the bleeding stops. Checking (small end-grain cracks). These hairline cracks appear when the surface of the wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes. They are cosmetic only and have no effect on structural integrity. Lifting grain, water spots, minor discoloration. All of these smooth out naturally over time with weathering and regular cleaning. Warranty Notice Do not apply teak oils or chemical finishes. They interfere with the wood's natural weathering process and will void your HiTeak warranty. Teak generates its own oils internally. Adding more from the outside disrupts the natural cycle. 6-24 Months for teak to weather to silver-gray. Climate, sun exposure, and cleaning frequency all affect the timeline. Humid environments weather faster. Drier climates take longer. How to Clean Teak Wood Furniture Clean your teak furniture at least twice a year. Outdoor furniture picks up pollen, insect residue, pollution, and general grime even when it looks clean. Regular cleaning prevents buildup from penetrating the wood and keeps the surface healthy. Teak Cleaning Quick Guide Tools You Need Soft-bristle brush Garden hose Bucket Clean dry cloth Process 1. Hose down loose dirt 2. Mix cleaning solution 3. Scrub with the grain 4. Rinse thoroughly 5. Air dry completely Recipe: 2/3 cup laundry detergent + 1/4 cup bleach + 1 gallon warm water Fig. 2 - Teak cleaning: tools, solution, and step-by-step process Standard cleaning (twice a year) Hose the furniture down with fresh water to remove loose surface dirt and debris. Mix your cleaning solution (see formula below). Apply the solution and scrub gently with a soft-bristle brush, always moving in the direction of the wood grain. Rinse thoroughly with clean water until no soap remains. Allow to air dry completely before replacing cushions or covers. Standard Cleaning Solution 2/3 cup laundry detergent 1/4 cup bleach 1 gallon warm water Pro Tip Never use a high-pressure hose or pressure washer on teak. It erodes the wood surface and raises the grain in a way that causes permanent damage. A standard garden hose with good water pressure is all you need. Deep cleaning (to restore golden-brown color) If you want to bring your teak back to its original warm tone after it has weathered, a deep clean followed by light sanding does the job. Clean with the standard solution above and allow to dry completely. Once fully dry, sand the entire surface with 320-grit or higher sandpaper, always sanding with the grain. Wipe away all sanding dust with a dry cloth. Optionally apply HiTeak Teak Protector to help maintain the restored color and resist future staining. How to Remove Black Spots and Mildew Black spots on teak are mildew, not damage. They form when humidity and natural mold spores come into contact with dirt or organic debris sitting on the wood surface. They are a normal part of outdoor furniture life and are not a defect in the wood or the product. Teak's dense grain and natural oils make it highly resistant to mold. But when debris accumulates and the furniture stays damp for extended periods, mildew can develop on the surface. The fix is straightforward. Black Spot and Mildew Removal Before Mildew spots form on surface debris in damp conditions. After A light bleach solution removes surface mildew. Recipe: 1 part bleach + 10 parts water. Apply, wait 1 minute, scrub with the grain, rinse, repeat if needed. Fig. 3 - Removing mildew spots: solution, method, and prevention Removing mildew spots Mildew Removal Solution 1 part bleach 10 parts water Mix the solution above in a bucket or spray bottle. Apply to the affected areas and allow to sit for one minute. Scrub gently in the direction of the grain with a soft-bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if spots remain after the first pass. Preventing mildew from coming back Hose off dirt and debris regularly so organic material does not settle on the surface. Wipe the furniture down occasionally with mild soap and water between deep cleans. Allow furniture to dry fully after rain before covering it, if you use furniture covers. Sling and Woven Strap Care Sling and woven strap furniture needs gentler cleaning than teak wood. Avoid detergents with harsh chemicals, and stick to mild natural soap for routine cleaning. Sling and Woven Strap Care Guide Routine Cleaning Brush off loose dirt Hose down with clean water Use mild natural soap Scrub gently, rinse, and air dry Deep Stain Removal Use bleach only in the recommended dilution Let solution soak up to 20 minutes Rinse thoroughly Repeat only if needed Deep stain recipe: 1/2 cup chlorine bleach + 1/4 cup natural soap + 1 gallon water Keep sling chairs away from teak tables during the first few rainfalls to avoid teak oil staining. Fig. 4 - Sling and woven strap care: routine cleaning and stain removal Routine cleaning Brush off any loose dirt from the surface. Hose down with clean water. Mix a gentle solution of water and mild natural soap (no detergents). Scrub gently with a soft-bristle brush. Let the solution soak for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry completely. Stubborn stains and mildew on sling fabric Deep Stain Solution (sling fabric) 1/2 cup chlorine bleach 1/4 cup natural soap (no detergents) 1 gallon water Apply the solution with a soft-bristle brush. Let it soak for up to 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Air dry completely. Repeat if needed. Maintenance Cadence Rinse sling fabric monthly with clean water to prevent dirt buildup. In most climates, a full deep clean is only needed every 2 to 3 years. You can clean fabric on the frame or remove it for easier handling. Important Keep new sling chairs away from teak tables during the first few rainfalls. Teak oil bleeding in the early months can stain sling fabric permanently. Sunbrella Fabric Care Sunbrella fabrics are engineered for outdoor durability and can handle bleach, UV exposure, and repeated deep cleaning without losing color or integrity. They do not promote mildew growth on their own, but surface dirt can create conditions where mildew forms if left unaddressed. Sunbrella Fabric Care Guide Everyday Cleaning Blot spills immediately Use mild soap and lukewarm water Rinse completely Air dry Mold and Mildew Spray entire affected area Soak for 15 minutes Scrub gently Rinse thoroughly Pro Tip Clean seam to seam in one pass. Spot cleaning only the stain can create rings. Mildew recipe: 1 cup bleach + 1/4 cup mild soap + 1 gallon water Fig. 5 - Sunbrella fabric care: everyday cleaning, mold removal, and disinfection Everyday cleaning Blot spills immediately with a clean dry cloth. Do not rub. For oil-based spills, apply cornstarch or another absorbent first, remove with a straight edge, then clean with soap solution. Mix 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Spray the fabric, allow to soak in, then rinse thoroughly. Air dry completely. Seam-to-Seam Rule Always clean Sunbrella upholstery from seam to seam in one pass. Do not scrub in circles or spot-treat only the stained area. Cleaning the full panel prevents water rings and uneven fading. Removing mold and mildew from Sunbrella Mold and Mildew Removal (Sunbrella) 1 cup bleach 1/4 cup mild soap 1 gallon water Spray the entire affected area and let soak for 15 minutes. Scrub gently with a sponge, soft brush, or clean towel. Rinse thoroughly to remove all residue. Allow fabric to air dry completely before using or covering. Machine washing removable covers Some Sunbrella cushion covers can be removed and machine washed. Contact HiTeak before removing covers, as construction varies by product. When in doubt, hand wash with a mild soap solution and air dry. Seasonal Maintenance Schedule The simplest way to stay on top of teak care is to tie it to the seasons. Here is what to do and when. Annual Teak Care Calendar Spring Full clean, inspect for mildew, apply protector if maintaining color. Summer Monthly rinse, bring cushions in before heavy rain, check for spots. Fall Full clean before storage or winter. Treat mildew and dry completely. Winter Store cushions indoors. Cover furniture if needed. Teak can stay outside. Fig. 6 - Annual teak care calendar: what to do each season Spring Full clean after winter. Inspect for mildew. Apply Teak Protector if maintaining color. Summer Monthly rinse. Bring cushions in if heavy rain expected. Check for early black spots. Fall Full clean before storage or winter. Treat any mildew before it deepens. Dry completely. Winter Store cushions indoors. Cover furniture if storing outside. Teak itself needs no shelter. Teak is one of the only outdoor furniture materials that genuinely thrives with minimal intervention. Most of what you need to do is get out of the way and let the wood do its work. Shop Teak Care Products Teak Protector, cleaning kits, and accessories to keep your furniture in peak condition. Shop Teak Care Browse All Furniture Frequently Asked Questions About Teak Care How often should I clean my teak outdoor furniture? At minimum, twice a year: once in spring and once in fall. If you live in a humid environment or the furniture is under trees where debris collects, a light monthly rinse with a garden hose will prevent buildup between deep cleans. Should I apply teak oil to my HiTeak furniture? No. HiTeak does not recommend applying teak oil or any synthetic finish to your furniture. Teak produces its own oils naturally. Applying additional oil disrupts the natural weathering process and will void your warranty. The only product HiTeak recommends is the HiTeak Teak Protector, which is designed to work with the wood rather than against it. Why is my new teak furniture bleeding oil onto my cushions? New teak releases natural oils from its surface during the first few months, especially after rainfall. This is normal and temporary. Move cushions indoors and keep sling chairs away from teak table surfaces during early rainfalls. Once the wood begins to weather and gray, the bleeding stops. Cushion stains from teak bleeding are not covered under warranty. What are the black spots on my teak furniture? Black spots are mildew caused by humidity and mold spores interacting with organic debris on the surface. They are not a defect. A 1-part bleach to 10-parts water solution applied with a soft brush, followed by thorough rinsing, removes them effectively. How do I keep my teak from turning gray? Clean and dry the furniture thoroughly, then sand lightly with 320-grit sandpaper along the grain to remove the gray surface layer. Apply HiTeak Teak Protector after sanding to maintain the warm golden tone. Reapply twice a year or as needed depending on exposure. Can I use a pressure washer on teak furniture? No. High-pressure washing erodes the wood surface, raises the grain, and causes permanent surface damage. Use a standard garden hose with normal water pressure for rinsing. Do I need to bring teak furniture inside for winter? No. Teak can stay outdoors year-round in virtually any climate, including freezing winters and high-humidity summers. Its natural oil content makes it resistant to moisture and freeze-thaw cycles. Cushions, however, should be stored indoors during winter or when not in use for extended periods. How do I protect my teak table from food and wine stains? Wipe spills immediately with a damp cloth before they penetrate the surface. Apply HiTeak Teak Protector at least twice a year to maintain a protective barrier. The protector works on clean, naturally weathered wood and forms a transparent shield that resists coffee, red wine, and oil-based stains.

Health & Home · Teak Guide Is Your FurnitureMaking Your Family Sick?What VOCs in Paint andFinishes Actually Do Most of us spend real money making our homes look great. What we don't always think about is what comes with that new furniture: the chemicals in its finishes, paints, and adhesives that slowly release into the air your family breathes every day. It's called off-gassing. And it's more common than most furniture shoppers realize. If you have kids, or anyone at home with asthma or allergies, or you've just noticed more headaches after furnishing a room, this is worth understanding. Outdoor furniture should not feel disposable. It should feel like something you'll still love in twenty years. What Are VOCs, and Why Are They in Furniture? VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and release as gases into the air around you. They're found in paints, varnishes, lacquers, stains, and the adhesives used to bind engineered wood products like MDF and particleboard. Furniture manufacturers use these finishes for practical reasons: they make pieces look polished, protect surfaces from wear, and are inexpensive to apply at scale. The tradeoff is that many of those finishes carry chemicals that don't just sit on the surface. They release into your air over time. The most common VOCs found in furniture finishes: Formaldehyde Used in adhesive resins for pressed wood. Classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Benzene Found in paints, stains, and adhesives. Also a Group 1 carcinogen. Associated with blood disorders and leukemia with long-term exposure. Toluene Present in oil-based finishes and lacquers. Linked to nervous system effects including dizziness and fatigue. Xylene Common in solvent-based varnishes. Can cause headaches, nausea, and eye irritation at elevated indoor levels. That "new furniture smell" most people associate with a fresh purchase? That's what you're detecting. It might seem harmless, but you're breathing real chemicals. How Bad Is Indoor Air Quality from Furniture, Really? 2–10× Higher VOC concentrations indoors than outdoors. The EPA has documented that indoor levels regularly run 2 to 5 times higher, and can spike to 10 times higher when new furniture or renovations introduce fresh off-gassing sources. Most people assume outdoor air is the pollution problem. For VOCs, the inside of your home is often worse, especially in newer, well-sealed construction where there's less natural ventilation to dilute what's accumulating. Off-gassing is most intense in the first 48 to 72 hours after a new piece arrives. But lower-level emissions from paint finishes, sealants, and adhesives can continue for weeks or months. Hot weather and high humidity both accelerate the process, which means summer, when you're closed up with the air conditioning running, is often the worst time for indoor VOC buildup. Are Children More at Risk? Yes. Children face a higher effective exposure than adults do, for several compounding reasons. Their developing organs process environmental toxins differently than mature adult systems. They also breathe more air relative to their body weight, which means a higher chemical dose for their size. And they spend more time close to floors and surfaces, where VOC concentrations tend to settle at their highest levels. Research has connected residential VOC exposure to elevated rates of asthma, respiratory sensitization, and allergic disease in children. One Swedish case-control study found meaningful associations between VOC levels in the rooms where children slept and their incidence of asthma and allergies. Newborns and infants are the most vulnerable. Their immune systems haven't developed the capacity to filter environmental insults that adults handle with less visible effect. Cribs, nursery furniture, and mattresses all sit in the rooms where they spend the most time. Why Does Most Furniture Still Use These Chemicals? The furniture industry defaults to synthetic finishes because they're inexpensive, consistent, and effective at protecting cheaper core materials. The core material is where most of the chemical load originates. Mass-market furniture is frequently built from MDF or particleboard, which are engineered wood products that use urea-formaldehyde resins as the binding agent. The laminate or veneer on top looks like wood, but underneath, it's a significant source of ongoing formaldehyde emissions. Even solid wood pieces typically receive multiple finish layers: a stain for color, a sealant to prep the grain, and a topcoat for durability. Oil-based versions of each carry significantly higher VOC loads than water-based alternatives. The finished product looks beautiful. The air quality cost doesn't appear anywhere on the price tag. What Makes Teak Different from Painted or Finished Furniture? Teak is one of the few furniture materials that provides natural weather resistance, durability, and longevity without requiring any synthetic chemical finish. Teak has an exceptionally high natural oil content concentrated in its heartwood. Those oils function as a built-in barrier against moisture, rot, mildew, and insects. Pair that with teak's dense grain structure and high silica content, and you have a wood that handles outdoor exposure (California coastal conditions, humid Southern summers, wherever) without a chemical coating to protect it. That's genuinely unusual. Most hardwoods need finishing to perform. Teak doesn't. This means teak furniture can be finished with nothing more than sanding. No synthetic lacquers. No formaldehyde-based adhesives in the core. No solvent-heavy stains. Left untreated, teak weathers gradually to a silver-gray patina that stays structurally sound. Treated with a natural oil, it holds its warm golden-brown tone. Either path keeps the chemical footprint close to zero. Teak's protection comes from deep within the wood. Not from what's been applied to the surface. That's the difference. What to Look for When Buying Furniture If you're shopping with your family's health in mind, these five questions narrow the risk significantly: What's the core material? Solid wood beats MDF or particleboard every time for VOC load. What finish was applied? Water-based beats oil-based. Natural oil or wax beats water-based. Nothing beats nothing, when the material supports it. Is it GREENGUARD Gold certified? Independent testing against strict emissions limits designed for children and sensitive populations. Worth requiring for any child's room. Does composite wood meet CARB Phase 2? The California Air Resources Board standard for formaldehyde in engineered wood. The minimum standard to accept. Can I ventilate before using it? Whatever you buy, letting it off-gas in a well-ventilated space first reduces the initial burst of emissions. Is the Investment in Natural Teak Worth It? For most families, yes, when you factor in lifespan and the cumulative cost of replacement. Premium, naturally finished teak costs more upfront. What the comparison usually misses is that quality teak furniture lasts decades. Budget furniture built on MDF cores and synthetic finishes degrades over years, not decades. Every replacement cycle brings another piece of off-gassing furniture into your home. Another round of the most intense emission period. Repeat that a few times and the lifetime chemical exposure adds up, as does the total cost. Teak's natural oil and silica content also means dramatically lower maintenance requirements than other outdoor materials. No annual chemical sealing. No repainting. Soap and water for regular cleaning, and an optional natural oil application once or twice a year if you want to maintain the color. That's it. Explore HiTeak Collections Premium Grade A teak, naturally finished. Built to last a lifetime. Outdoor Dining Lounge & Seating View All Furniture More from the Journal Frequently Asked Questions About Furniture & VOCs Do all furniture finishes contain VOCs? Most synthetic finishes (oil-based stains, lacquers, polyurethane topcoats) do contain VOCs. Water-based finishes have lower levels but are not zero. Natural finishes like hardwax oil or beeswax are lower still. Untreated solid teak releases no VOCs from a surface finish because no finish is required. How long does furniture off-gas VOCs? Off-gassing peaks in the first 48 to 72 hours and continues at a lower rate for weeks or months, depending on finish type, room temperature, and ventilation. Higher temperatures accelerate the process. Some composite wood products can emit formaldehyde at low levels for years. Is teak furniture safe for children? Solid teak finished only with sanding (or a natural oil) contains no synthetic chemicals that off-gas into indoor air and does not use formaldehyde-based adhesives in the core. For families concerned about VOC exposure, naturally finished solid teak is one of the safer furniture options available. What is the difference between GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold? GREENGUARD confirms a product meets general low-emission standards. GREENGUARD Gold (formerly GREENGUARD Children & Schools) meets stricter limits designed specifically for sensitive populations including children and the elderly. For nurseries and children's rooms, GREENGUARD Gold is the higher standard to look for. Does teak furniture need chemical treatment to hold up outdoors? No. Teak's high natural oil content and dense grain structure provide resistance to moisture, rot, insects, and weather without any chemical treatment. It can be left untreated and will weather to a silver-gray over time, or maintained with a natural teak oil to preserve its warm golden tone. What is VOC off-gassing? Off-gassing is the process by which chemicals in paints, finishes, adhesives, and synthetic materials evaporate at room temperature and release as gases into indoor air. Furniture is one of the most common sources of indoor off-gassing alongside paint, flooring, and cleaning products. It's the reason newly furnished rooms often have a distinct chemical smell.