Teak comes form a hardwood tree called Tectona grandis. It grows in Indonesia and Southeast Asia and is dense-grained and highly resistant to rot, warping, shrinkage and swelling. That is why is perfect for patio furniture. Teak has a lot of oil in it that acts as a natural preservative, so it does very well outdoors. The longer you have teak furniture, the more beautiful it becomes - turning a slivery gray patina. It can be treated with teak oil or remain in its natural state. The wood has a pleasant aroma that actually acts as an insect repellant.

Patio furniture manufactured in Indonesia is either handmade, semi-machine made or made entirely by machine. The best teak patio furniture is usually machine made because the equipment that is used guarantees that the pieces will be well constructed and uniform.

Since teak patio furniture lasts a lifetime, you must be sure that the set or piece that you buy is something that you will love for a lifetime. If you are buying chairs, test them out, and make sure that you are comfortable sitting in them. You also need to decide if your chairs will or will not be cushioned. Teak chairs are comfortable with or without cushions, and they add to the overall price. If you're not sure, hold off because you can always buy cushions whenever you want. If you decide to go with cushions, choose a color or scheme that will not fade (if your patio receives direct sunlight). Bold colors work well as they naturally blend with the outdoors.