Oak Garden Furniture

When selecting oak garden furniture, it is important to select the correct type of oak for the best results. White oak is excellent for garden furniture because of its durability especially when exposed to outdoor conditions.

Oak has tremendous strength as a hardwood, but to preserve the life of this wood, it is advisable to ensure that it is properly maintained and treated. If you purchase an oak product that has not been treated and it is your intention to use it outdoors in your garden, then it is highly recommended that you choose a penetrating stain product for ultimate protection and one that contains a wood preservative, a product that contains an ingredient to slow down the growth of mildew will certainly be beneficial.

Use a manufacturer recommended oil to apply to your oak garden furniture to keep it in pristine condition. Allowing the bottom of the legs of your oak table and chairs to soak in a wood preservative so that the first few inches are covered will enhance the life span of the furniture dramatically if it is used directly on a grass surface.

Cleaning the surface dirt off the furniture with a sponge and soapy water before it accumulates will help to keep it well maintained. Try to clean up liquid or food that has been spilt on the furniture immediately before it soaks in and possibly stains the oak.

Types of Oak:

Red oak and white oak are used in the manufacture of furniture, with white oak being a lighter shade of brown. Some oak is cut in quarters, hence the name quarter sawn oak, then cut perpendicular to the rings of the wood, this provides a variation in colour and enriches the visual texture of the oak.

In the event that a stain or burn may occur, they are usually repairable. For stains, using a dampened cloth containing mineral spirits or camphorated oil has been known to help remove stubborn stains. If you have burns, chips, stains or marks that you cannot bare to look at anymore, then contacting an antique dealer or furniture restorer expert is recommended to acquire the correct procedure for repair, or alternatively have the furniture restored or repaired by the expert themselves.

To avoid as much damage as possible, a table cloth can be spread over the surface of the oak table which in turn will prevent most spills being absorbed by the wood.

When the oak garden furniture is not in use, using garden furniture covers will protect and increase the life span of the furniture during extreme conditions of rain, direct sunshine or dry and wet weather.