Why shouldn't I buy outdoor wood furniture made of cedar or some other wood? Teak is the absolute best because it is one of the hardest, strongest and most durable of all timbers; it is extremely rot and parasite resistant; it will not splinter; and it weathers evenly in the sun to a soft, distinguished silvery grey that requires no preservative treatments. Cedar and Cypress are good for siding on your house, but they are much softer than teak and make lightweight, fragile outdoor furniture that will splinter and is easily blown about. Oak, Pine or Maple will begin to rot, split and crack, weathering to an unsightly dark, uneven grey within the first year.
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How long will it take to get my order? Most kits and flat pack furniture will ship within 10 business days. If there should be a delay, we will contact you. White glove delivery will ship within 10 business days but delivery times can vary based on your location. Fully assembled delivery is available and delivery will vary according to our trucking schedule and your location, but most orders are delivered within 3 weeks. Our delivery coordinator will contact you to arrange your fully assembled or White Glove delivery. Cushions are shipped separately and will usually arrive within 3 weeks of your order.
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How much is shipping? Shipping charges are 10% of your order total for regular shipments, with a minimum shipping charge of $20.00. Fully assembled White Glove delivery (where available)can be selected for a charge equal to 18% of your merchandise total. There is a minimum White Glove (fully assembled shipping) charge of $250.00. Back to Top
How difficult is it to put the kits together? Our kits are designed with the average homeowner in mind. The only tools you'll need are a hammer, Phillips head screwdriver, and the detailed, illustrated, step-by-step instructions included with your kit. In just a few hours, you'll be delightedly exclaiming, "I did it!" If you have a question during assembly, there's a number included with your instructions. The help line is available Monday-Friday, 9-5 Eastern Time. Or send us an e-mail: we'll respond within 48 hours, except Saturdays and Sundays.
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What if I decide the kit is too much trouble? If after you receive a kit, you decide that you'd rather have a flat-pack or fully assembled piece, stop before gluing and call us. Pack up the kit as you received it, and ship it back to us. The shipping charge on kits is 10% of the merchandise total.
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What's your return policy? Kits and flat packs may be returned in their original condition within 30 days. We'll refund your purchase price, less shipping costs, plus a nominal restocking fee. If you decide not to keep furniture that was ordered assembled, you must let us know promptly. While we guarantee your outdoor teak furniture for ten years against material and manufacturing defects if used in a residential setting, it cannot be returned once it has begun to weather or set outside. Discontinued and personalized items such as engraved, stained and customized pieces can not be returned.
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Why does teak turn gray? Teak gets its silver-gray patina from the oil in the wood. Over time (12 - 24 months depending on geography), the oil within the teak will rise to the surface. The ultra-violet rays from the sun oxidize the oil and turn it silvery grey. Thus the patina you see on teak is not the wood changing color, it is the oil within the teak. Since all woods contain oil (to differing degrees), they will change color over time, but not necessarily as elegantly as teak. Back to Top
My weathered furniture has green stains. What is the best way to clean it? Outdoor furniture made of teak will last for years without any attention, however, sap, pollen, chemicals or contaminents in the air, can affect its appearance. We haven't yet found a "specialized teak cleaner" on the market that we find acceptable for our customers, so we recommend a yearly cleaning with Olympic® Deck Cleaner. Simply apply with a pump garden sprayer, let it sit for five minutes and rinse off with a garden hose. It's that easy. In a few areas, where water contains a lot of iron or other chemicals you may need to add up to 50% common household bleach to the deck cleaner. Try it first without the bleach. Stubborn stains may need a second application or scrubbed with a nylon bristle brush. For a longer lasting solution or to delay the onset of grey, considering using our Semco products.
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