I love teak furniture and encourage clients to go the teak direction whenever it's a fit. I think the benefit is that you don't know how plastics will age, metal is not a great fit to every style but teak goes with everything, is very durable and looks fantastic!

I read an article that surprised me; it said that oiling teak does not extend it's life, it only changes the look. I happen to like a faded, matte look so I was VERY relieved that I was not shortening the life of the wood.

Invest in quality teak pieces, even secondhand high quality pieces will treat you better then low cost import home decor store stuff.

Hope this is helpful, best of luck with your project!

Teak is a great products to go with outdoor furniture. The wood is dense and strong enough to last many years and under all kinds of weather. Having said that, there are plenty of different species that will work as well. Keep an eye out for Ipe, or Cumaru (Brazilian Teak) furniture. They have interesting grain and color patterns as well as durability beyond that of teak.

Teak is beautiful, but be aware you cannot be sure where it was cut, plantation vs rainforest. I went through months trying to be a responsible buyer, but finally switched wood. Even responsible brokers admit they cannot be sure.

I have teak patio furniture and love it. Do not oil it, that will encourage mildew, instead, leave it outdoors year round to mellow naturally to a soft silvery grey. All I do is wash it with a brush, hose and soapy water in the spring and it's good to go. It will last for a very long time with very minimal upkeep unlike many other types of outdoor furniture. I have tables and lots of chairs, benches and a chaise, they are all sturdy and comfortable, even without cushions, and heavy enough to stay put during a storm.