| Teak is extremely durable and is particularly suitable for use outside. Much of this teak has been well seasoned having had a life outdoors for 50-100 years. This also gives the furniture its unique character. Some pieces are more suitable for use outdoors than others. Items that have particularly chunky wood and those that have slats in the surface are particularly well suited to life outdoors. Tables with intricate surfaces are best used indoors. Treating the furniture for outdoor use: All furniture will come from the factory with a wax finish. The wax will dissolve if left outside or to speed up the process use a brush and soapy water to remove the wax. Once the wax is removed teak oil or linseed oil can be used or an exterior wood sealant can be applied. Wood treatments and sealants often change the colour of the furniture, so ask your local hardware shop for advice on the finish you are looking for. The treatment / sealant will need to be reapplied every season. Alternatively you can leave untreated, this will result in the wood becoming a silvery colour. Treating the furniture for indoor use: Reapply bees wax every month to retain the woods lustre and build up a patina enriching the surface. A good quality wax rather than a spray is best as this will give moisture and nutrients to the wood. As wood is a natural material it will react to each environment differently. When kept indoors, in dry conditions, some | | shrinkage or movement of the wood should be expected. In most cases this will not affect the structural stability of the furniture. This of course is more likely if used in a conservatory of similar environment. Due to the nature of the reclaimed wood, imperfections including holes and scorch marks are inevitable and should be accepted as part of the character of the furniture. Should imperfections need to be treated dark furniture wax can be used in many cases. Dimensions are approximate due to the non-standard size and shape of the component parts as this furniture uses wood salvaged from old buildings etc. While in the main this product is made from reclaimed teak it is sometimes necessary to use new wood. This wood is chosen from government accredited managed forests Sandstone Statues These come with a water sealant already applied which will last for up to a season depending on the position and the climate the statues is in. A standard masonry sealant is adequate. The sandstone may 'green' once left outdoors this can be removed by scrubbing with a firm bristled brush. If the statue is in a shady area the greening process will be quicker. If you do remove green then do reapply the water sealant. Marble statues do not require any maintenance but the shine will be lost in time. | | | |