High-Quality Teak Garden Furniture
Looking for high-quality teak furniture?
Below we’ve highlighted some of the best teak garden furniture so you can relax comfortably in your garden.
Don’t worry about delivery charges, by the way. We offer free standard delivery by 1 May.
Gigi 5-seater teak sofa and armchair set
This 5 seater teak sofa and armchair set has a real timeless, organic feel about it, courtesy of its strong, bold lines and teak construction. The armchairs are wide and spacious, and the corner sofa is generously proportioned, giving you the comfort of an indoor lounge space while you’re out in your garden.
Key features
Durable teak wood that’s weather resistant and will last for decades.
Stain- and UV-resistant olefin cushions that are not only comfortable, but also easy to clean on the rare occasions they do need cleaning.
Even greater elegance as time goes by, thanks to the silvery patina surface that develops as the teak ages.
Dimensions
Sofa: L.240 x D.85 x H.57cm
Armchairs: L.100 x D.85 x H.57cm
Coffee table: L.143 x W.80 x H.30cm
Terra 6 seater teak corner garden sofa and table set
The two 3-seater sofas combine to give you a corner sofa and the feeling of being on holiday without even leaving your doorstep. The aluminium and teak work together stylishly for a comfortable, contemporary garden sofa and table set.
Key features
Teak wood for long-lasting performance and weather-resistance while remaining friendly to the planet.
Olefin cushions with rounded fronts for ultra-softness on the back of the knees, but thick depth in the back cushion for support without sacrificing softness.
Aluminium frame for complete rust-resistance and premium elegance.
Dimensions
3 seater sofas: L.264 x D.75.2 x H.71.5cm
Coffee table: L.148 x W.82 cm
Rose round teak loveseat
Enjoy your own little cocoon of comfort with the Rose Round Teak Loveseat. The inviting round design of this cosy seat will make you impatient to get out there and soak up the sun solo.
Key features
Hardwearing teak wood that withstands the elements to remain elegant.
Generous amount of olefin cushions for ultimate comfort and support.
21 centimetre seat cushion for the comfort of an indoor lounge chair.
Dimensions
Loveseat: 135cm diameter
💡 Did you know
Not all teak is created equal. High-quality teak, known as Grade A, comes from mature trees with dense, oil-rich wood that naturally resists rot and weathering. But some retailers use lower-grade teak, like Grade D, which is weaker and more prone to damage. To make it look premium, they treat it with stains and chemicals. Over time, the truth shows—low-grade teak fades, cracks, and loses its durability. If you want teak furniture that lasts, always check the source and grade before buying.
Fake teak or genuine? What other retailers don’t want you to know about teak garden furniture
Having specialised in producing outdoor furniture for the last 20 years, we come across “things” that catch our eye and attention when they contradict the general consensus or known paradigm.
Teak is what it says on the tin: a master of Mother Nature. Its structure is so strong and its natural tannins so resilient that it can deter wood rot, unless you’re using cheap timber. Teak also only needs maintenance if you want to preserve its beautiful golden finish. Otherwise, many connoisseurs prefer the timeless silver patina to form on the surface, giving the teak a mature, stoic look.
A little secret about teak wood
Follow the teak’s humble beginnings and we start to unravel what many retailers would rather not tell you. There are different levels of teak quality, known as grades. In the industry, these grades are categorised by A, B, C and D. Grade A has a flawless surface and rich grains and feel; grade D is fitter for wood fires than furniture.
The secret is that Grade A teak is much more expensive than Grade D because it’s rarer. Why? The quality of the teak is determined by two key points: the tree’s age and the presence of sapwood, the younger outer layer of the tree.
Grade A Teak
Grade A comes from old trees that are thick, healthy and incredibly strong. These older, wider, taller and stronger trees pass on these characteristics to the timber that comes from them. The result is the best, most resilient teak.
Grade D Teak
Grade D teak typically comes from very young trees, which have been adapted to grow quickly in as little as 7 years. When the trees are cut, the sapwood forms a big proportion of the timber from the tree. Sap is feeble: it splits easily and is susceptible to wood rot, whereas the inner teak is more resistant.
Between these two grades, you have a sliding scale from the flawless, aged tree with almost no sapwood to the sapwood-ridden timber that is poor for making furniture and unsuitable for outdoor use.
⚠️ But what if you could use Grade D teak and make it look like a better grade teak?
Unfortunately, outdoor furniture is not as well regulated as we’d like it to be, which means it’s common to ‘dress up’ teak in retail so that it looks higher quality than it is. Unscrupulous retailers and furniture makers have become adept at treating the surface of teak with chemicals and stains to make it look like a better grade of timber, hiding the sapwood and the pale finish.
Why should I care about the quality grade of teak outdoor furniture?
For many, if it looks like real teak, that’s good enough. Often, however, it’s not clear what quality grade of teak is being used. Grade C or D teak might look flawless in the shop or when you receive it, but within a few weeks, you’ll start to see the quality diminish.
The lower grades of teak are also less weather resistant than the premium grades. As a result, your teak outdoor furniture won’t last as long as you expected. The retailer, meanwhile, has earned a tidy, premium profit margin on the purchase.
How can I tell the difference between low and high quality grade teak?
Unfortunately, it’s very hard to discern the difference. Disingenuous retailers and furniture makers have perfected the art of imitation over decades.
Test how water forms on it
Good-quality, genuine teak has few blemishes on it and will be relatively smooth. Water droplets will form on top of it, unlike cheaper teak wood, which will soak them up greedily. Speaking of the surface, this should be hard and not break or crack.
Sniff for a leather-like smell
The highest quality teak will have a golden brown colour and smell a lot like leather. The smell comes from the natural oils, which there are a lot of in high quality teak. If you pick up the scent easily from the wood, it’s because it’s a good grade.
Check the underside of the furniture
One way is to look at the underside of the furniture. Take a tabletop, for instance. If the underside of the tabletop is jarring to the eye and alien compared to the surface, it means a greater degree of imitation of the surface has gone on. This isn’t an exact science, but it gives you an idea.
Ask where the teak has come from
This is a thorny question for retailers because it’s the other practice they don’t want you to know about teak outdoor furniture
‘Chinese teak’
China has no teak. That’s right; China has no viable teak to fell and produce. It gets most of its teak from Burma (Myanmar), which might not sit well with you. Despite the documentation, this teak is often felled unethically.
Indonesian teak
Indonesia has lots of teak. Dutch colonisation saw hundreds of thousands of teak trees planted, which are now a natural resource.
Indonesia is blessed with some incredible teak. It’s more orange in colour and is everywhere. Be aware, however, that Grade D teak is the most prevalent in Indonesia. Although the country possesses some of the world's largest and best teak resources, it also has a lot of the poorer grade teak.
South American teak
In terms of quality, South American teak is the most consistent. It’s also the most sustainable. After a torrid run of deforestation in the 1980s, South America has an excellent chain of custody in timber. There are strict processes for managing plantations.
Recycled teak
The final point and the most impressive smoke and mirrors project in retail is the merchandising of ‘recycled teak’. Recycled teak is Grade D teak that has received surface treatment to make it look like it comes from construction material and is sustainable. A lot of recycled teak in retail today is just Grade D teak presented as something else to ease conscience about environmental protection.
Quality teak is out there, but you need to look carefully to identify it
Good quality teak looks good, smells good and feels good. It’s out there, but you have to know what you’re buying.
Unfortunately, lots of devious retailers that might not be giving you exactly what you’re paying for are also out there. Or you could be getting what you’re paying for, but the teak might be unethically sourced.
If you want good-quality, ethically produced teak garden furniture, check out our Wooden Garden Furniture page. We use sustainable materials wherever possible without compromising on quality. We avoid producing what is unnecessary, avoiding waste of materials and sparing the world of yet more landfill.
The result is high-quality teak and eucalyptus wooden furniture you can feel comfortable relaxing in your garden.
All MINT’s teak products use Grade A and Grade B teak from sustainably managed plantations.
Welcome to The Undercover Furnisher by MINT Outdoor.
In this blog series, an industry insider exposes the secrets big retailers don’t want you to know. With decades of experience—from design to manufacturing in the UK and overseas—they’ve seen it all. Now, they’re ready to share. Expect sharp insights and practical advice to help you make informed decisions when buying furniture.
Sources
Hi Neighbor: Learn how to identify teak wood by checking its grain, color, scent, and water resistance. (accessed Feb 25) - https://www.hineighbor.com/blogs/the-journal/how-to-identify-teak-wood
Chaplins: Understand the durability and weather resistance of teak for outdoor furniture (accessed Feb 25). - https://chaplins.co.uk/blog/the-truth-about-teak-garden-furniture-buying-guide
Jo Alexander: Discover key features of genuine teak, including its weight, grain, and natural oils (accessed Feb 25) - https://www.joalexander.co.uk/blog/how-to-identify-teak-wood.html