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 Previous pageWill the brass and stainless steel fittings last? The high-grade brass and stainless steel fittings we use for this furniture will not rust or deteriorate and will last as long as the furniture. The brass fittings are specially designed. A hollow brass tube is used to line the drilled hole and then the thread and screw can move more easily within. Every screw head is flush with the wood so as not to distract the eye from the grain of the wood. Stainless steel corner brackets are fitted underneath the tables. On some designs these are used to attach the legs. Only one swan screw is used, as the tension on the bracket when it is tightened is enough to secure the leg tightly. This is only possible with stainless steel brackets, as wooden brackets have no tension. This also makes assembling and dismantling very quick and easy. Does the teak come from a sustainable resource? There are no natural teak forests in Indonesia. It is not an indigenous species. It may have come to Java as early as 1000 AD and was planted in the current plantation system by the Dutch beginning in the mid 1800s. The plantations are now owned and managed by the Indonesian Government Agency, Perum Perhutani. Perhutani diligently apply policies for the cutting and replanting of teak trees that have been the basis of a highly successful teakwood cultivation on the island of Java since the middle of the 19th century. These policies not only ensure a continuing supply of this valuable timber, but also local employment. Where does the teak you use come from? The teak comes from the plantations of Java (Indonesia). There are also teak plantations in other parts of South East Asia as well as Central & South America and Africa. It occurs naturally along a narrow range including Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia - probably elsewhere in the Mekong River area and portions of the Malay Peninsula. Is the furniture FSC certified? We are pleased that an organisation like the FSC is taking the initiative for responsible, sustainable management of all the world's forest resources. However, at this time, the world supply of FSC certified teak is very small (out of 57 districts in Java, only 5 have certification). Since October 2001 FSC and Smartwood have suspended certification of all of Indonesia's plantations. Perhutani was not demonstrating sufficient compliances to FSC principles and criteria; furthermore illegal logging within the certified districts had escalated.If in the future Java's Teak plantations become re-certified our suppliers in Java will make the decision to join FSC when they feel there is a good supply of FSC Teak available. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous manufacturers have used the FSC certification for commercial benefit rather than improving sustainability. What is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)? The FSC is an independent, non-profit making, non-governmental agency. It is an association of members from various social and environmental groups. These include the timber trade, forestry profession, manufacturers and retailers, forestry groups in the community and world wide forest product certification organisations. It provides a structure to enable qualified independent certifiers to work using clear guidelines and standards which take into account the economic, social and environmental aspects of forest management agreed by forestry professionals, as well as experts in ecological, social and rural development fields.The certification process enables timber and timber-based products which originate from a specific forest or woodland to be eligible to carry the FSC Trademark. Therefore only products which are certified in this way are legally authorised to carry the FSC Trademar. Is the furniture kiln dried? Yes, the timber suppliers use their own kilns on site. The advantage of kiln drying is that it lowers the moisture content of the timber prior to manufacture. Small cracks that sometimes appear in the furniture due to changes in temperature and humidity in the outdoor environment are less likely to occur if the furniture is kiln dried. How is the furniture constructed? Time-honoured joinery techniques are used in the construction of all this furniture with extensive use of mortise and tenon joints secured by teak dowels. Each piece of wood is machined to perfection using the best European branded machines to ensure maximum precision in its assembly. How long does your warranty last? We guarantee our furniture for a period of three years from the date of purchase provided it is given reasonable use. How is your furniture delivered and does it need assembling? The furniture is delivered boxed with little or no assembly, unless other arrangements have been made with ourselves. How do I maintain my furniture? We recommend you scrub it with hot soapy water using a thick bristled brush to remove dirt, once or twice a year. That is it! Just leave it to naturally change to a beautiful silvery grey colour. If you would like to maintain the natural colour of the wood then cover or store inside between using. If the furniture is sheltered from the sunlight and the elements (on a veranda or porch), it will keep its natural colour longer. Can I leave my furniture out through the winter? Teak can be left out all year round as it is an extremely durable timber. Throughout history teak's weatherproof qualities have made it a first choice for sailing vessels. As these later became obsolete, carpenters utilised the salvaged timbers to fashion the first outdoor Teak Furniture, thus the illustrious birth of this now specialized industry. Teak's ability to resist the extremes of both summer and winter is an internationally recognized phenomenon. For several centuries, these special qualities have made teakwood the preferred choice for marine decking and construction. Teakwood has, and always will be, the choice wood aboard ocean liners, as it is capable of withstanding even the harshest elements such as salt water, and is the reason that it is today, the premium timber for outdoor furniture. Can I dismantle my furniture and store it, if I go on holiday? This range of garden furniture is designed to make it easy to assemble and dismantle tables, chairs and benches with ease. The only product that cannot be dismantled, once assembled, is the extending table. Teak can be left out all year round but we feel our customers like to have the choice. Do I need to treat my furniture with teak oil? We do not recommend using teak oil: it will not prolong the life of your furniture. If you do choose to teak oil your furniture, to maintain the deep colour you must continue to re-oil it every 2-3 months (depending on how much direct natural sunlight the furniture is under). If the wood has already started oxidation (turned a silvery grey colour) and teak oil is applied this will turn the wood a dark grey or blackish shade. This is not recommended. Another solution to maintain the teak oiled look without applying oil that is often used is to cover or store away between using. Why do occasional cracks appear on hardwood furniture? Teakwood is a natural material and fine cracks in the end grain may appear and then disappear with changes in the weather. Such fine cracks are normal, especially in heavier components, and will not affect the life of your furniture. Why does mildew grow on furniture? Mildew sometimes grows on furniture that is in a damp, dark area. Either move it to a different position or occasionally scrub it with hot soapy water and a thick bristled brush. |
