ABOUT SHOREA

Shorea hardwood is one of the best wood choices for outdoor furniture. While comparable to teak, this hardwood grows naturally and abundantly in the Pacific Rim countries, making it considerably less expensive than teak. Because Shorea contains an abundance of natural oils and is dense, heavy and hard, it is highly resistant to rot, bug infestation, wear and marring.

Shorea furniture will weather naturally to a nice silvery gray color, if left unattended over a period of time. Some surface roughness may develop, but over a period of about one year, the natural weathering process will stabilize. Moderate checking in the grain is normal with exposure to the elements. Some hairline cracks may appear but these are only on the surface and in no way effect the structural integrity of the furniture. To slow the graying process and enhance the natural wood color, apply teak oil seasonally.

After assembly, furniture should be rinsed well with water to remove dust left over from manufacturing. This should be done before placing on concrete or tile, to prevent staining.

Because shorea has such a high oil content, painting or using polyurethane is NOT recommended. DO NOT apply any kind of hard varnish directly to the wood. Because some surface roughness may develop early in the weathering process, a very light sanding may be desired to smooth out the roughness. Follow up with a dry rough cleaning sponge to remove any remaining sawdust.

Black spots on the furniture may appear after it has been outside in the elements. These spots are typically caused by humidity. Cleaning with a teak cleaner or sanding by hand will easily get rid of this mold and mildew.

Shorea furniture may be left outside all year round without an outdoor furniture cover. Snow and freezing temperatures will not harm the furniture. If you prefer to store your furniture, we recommend doing so in a dry, unheated garage or garden shed. We do not recommend the use of furniture covers, as many varieties do not provide proper ventilation and can make the wood susceptible to mildew growth.