Since the beginning of time, man has opted for the quality, warmth and beauty of wood for his precious furniture. Well, time moves on, but some things don’t need to change just for “progress” reasons. When it comes to casual outdoor and patio furniture, technology has brought us cast iron, PVC pipe, aluminum, cast aluminum, and plastic. But the technology has fallen short and doesn’t really offer anything here that matches the beauty and durability of tropical hardwoods like teak or balau. Between the ultraviolet rays of the sun in our southern climate, the salty air we enjoy living near the ocean, and the high humidity of this environment, there is nothing more suitable than tropical hardwood.
When considering the “new” materials available today, each has drawbacks that make tropical hardwoods superior. The ultraviolet rays of the sun are a real danger for these new materials. These harmful rays break down PVC and plastics and burn painted finishes. Combine that with the corrosive salty air that will cause most things metallic to rust and seemingly corrode as you watch, and one begins to see that man-made materials just can’t cut it. Even powder coated materials can chip and expose the underlying material to rust or corrode.
Tropical hardwoods, on the other hand, are grown in the tropical climates of the Pacific region and Asia and for hundreds, even thousands of years, have been highly touted for their superior abilities to withstand the elements. Because of its classic, natural look, it “will never go out of style,” says Karin Strom, interior decorator and author of What’s in Style-Outdoor Living. Some may think that salt air is harmful to tropical hardwood when it is actually a preservative. Sailors have long known that to preserve the teak decks on their tall ships, a bucket of salt water washed daily would keep the decks in shape. Tropical hardwoods, if left unattended, will “weather” to a silver-gray patina. However, unlike many of the newer materials, tropical hardwoods can also be kept looking new with minimal effort.
Many people with teak or alternative tropical hardwoods, such as Balau, enjoy the superior weather-resistance properties of these woods, but are unsure about proper care. In this case, “proper care” really means less work and a better appearance. Teak oil has long been the most common way to protect outdoor tropical hardwoods. But technology (remember we started this article talking about technology) has provided a better way. Among the drawbacks of teak oil is the fact that real teak oil (which is tung oil) never dries completely, it collects dirt and washes off. So now you have a vicious cycle. Apply teak oil, it looks wonderful, teak oil picks up dirt, washes away dirt and removes some of the teak oil in the process. After 4 to 6 weeks of this cycle, you need to start all over again.
A major US university has developed an eco-friendly sealer for high-density tropical hardwoods that’s loaded with UV inhibitors, incorporates a fungicide and anti-mold agent to resist those black spots of mold growing down here, looks just like oil Made of teak and because it is ecological it can be applied with a brush without wearing gloves or a mask or radiation suit. When you’re done, you can simply rinse your brush under a tap. This product is called Banana River Sealer and is sold by Avonlea Gardens in Melbourne, Florida, 800-238-0604.
Unlike the teak oil nightmare cited above, Banana River Sealer will protect, nourish and beautify your investment for 7-9 months in direct sunlight or 1-2 years under the protection of a porch, deck or gazebo. Reapplication is simple and easy. Simply wash your furniture with soap and water to remove any grime, since you don’t want to apply sealant over the grime, and reapply another coat with a soft-bristled brush. If you scratch your furniture, Banana River Sealer will mix in to touch it up. This process can continue indefinitely. This is why high-density tropical hardwood casual furniture is referred to by those in the know as “heirloom furniture.” With a minimum of effort, you can enjoy your beautiful tropical hardwood casual furniture for a lifetime.