What's the Difference Between Grade A Teak and Lower Grades?

If you are looking to buy a teak garden furniture set, there are a number of possible options that you may be faced with. One of the major decisions to make is the quality of the teak that you purchase.

If you see websites claiming to sell “cheap teak garden furniture”, you might be sorely tempted to enter your details and order your new patio dining set. And once it arrives, it might serve you well. For a while.

Soon enough, it will likely start to fall into disrepair or begin to rot and split. That's because the teak used in the furniture is of a poor quality, and before you know it you'll be having to fork out for a new set.

Unfortunately, if you find teak furniture with an exceptionally low price tag, it's probably too good to be true. This is because it will lower grade teak, meaning it does not carry the same long lasting characteristics of top quality teak.

The best quality garden furniture is made from Grade A teak. Above: Lutyens 3 Seater Teak Bench (left) and Biarritz Teak Garden Table & Chairs Set.

Teak Grades

The quality of teak wood can be determined by its grade. There are three different grades used to indicate the quality of the teak; grade A, grade B, and grade C. So, how do they differ from one another?

• Grade A teak: The best quality available, Grade A teak is taken from the heart wood at the centre of the teak tree. It is characterised by a close grain and a warm honey colour, with very few knots present in the wood. It will be rich in the natural oils that protect the teak from weathering and other potentially harmful elements.
   
• Grade B teak: The outer section of the heart wood, also known as immature heartwood, is what is used to produce grade B teak. The grain of the wood will not be as close as that of grade A teak, and it will not contain as much natural oil, giving it a more dull colour and appearance. Grade B teak furniture will be less expensive than grade A, but it will not last as long in the outdoors, due to a lack of the oils within.
   
• Grade C teak: Made from the outer section of the tree, known as the sap wood, grade C teak is a much less reliable option than grade A teak. Although it is much cheaper than grade A, this part of the tree is still growing and therefore is not as developed as others. As a result, Grade C teak is not as strong and will easily split or become warped. The lack of natural oils within Grade C teak also contribute to this process, and there will be no even or uniform colour to the wood. Because it is so weak and unreliable, grade C teak garden furniture should be avoided.

It's worth noting that some suppliers may treat grade B and C teak with chemicals to provide a more smooth surface and appealing colour, similar to that of grade A teak. Some may also try and simply sell poor quality teak as grade A, in the hope that you will be unaware of the difference. Be sure that you can trust your supplier.

Grade A teak is more expensive than grade B or C teak, but that is only in the initial outlay. Grade A teak represents great value for money, because its characteristics mean that it lasts much longer than other grades of teak. By the time you replace poor quality teak garden furniture, you will have ended up paying out more than if you had initially gone for the grade A option.

Buying Teak Garden Furniture

Everyone loves a bargain, and it's the same when buying garden furniture. But bear in mind that while it might seem like you're saving a packet to begin with, it's highly likely that you'll end up needing to replace low quality teak furniture pretty soon.

On the other hand, if you opt for good quality, grade A teak for your garden furniture set, you can be sure you'll have made a sound investment which will last many years. And if you are concerned about price as well as quality, rest assured that our teak garden furniture sets cannot be beaten on either front by any other UK supplier.