One question we often get at ANADA Limited is about the best options for finishing our teak furniture – in particular our reclaimed teak furniture items. The finishing of reclaimed teak is a little more considered, due to the wood’s history, potential exposure to various elements, and of course its unique character. As our reclaimed teak items come with their own unique look, nail holes, and other marks that contribute to the overall furniture’s charm, we offer several options to finish your reclaimed teak furniture, while still retaining the looks and strength that reclaimed teak offers.

To begin we ensure that the reclaimed timber is well cleaned and prepared, so as not to affect the overall finish of the items. We also sand our wood by hand (with grade depending on desired look) to prepare it for finishing.

As one of the appeals of reclaimed teak is its aged appearance, we usually aim to preserve its patina, and therefore recommend clear finishes that will retain the wood’s look and colour. Finishes such as teak oil or tung oil, or other water-based clear finishes are highly recommended. If the furniture is for outdoors, and you still wish to use a finish, we recommend something with UV protection to slow down the aging process.

A great option for reclaimed teak finishing is to actually use no finish at all. Reclaimed teak furniture already contains natural oils within its fibers, so often we will utilize this as a finish, by sanding it back to a smooth finish, before scrubbing it to invite the natural oil to seep out and add a finish to the timber. This allows you to keep that true reclaimed rustic nature, with a smooth and finished look and feel.

For outdoor reclaimed teak furniture – which is one of the primary uses due to its sturdy and dry condition – many times we choose to apply no finishing at all. This allows the items to weather over time, bringing out a greyish look so perfect for many outdoor furniture designs. Light sanding and tung oil application is recommended for maintenance, however often no finish at all remains the best option for reclaimed teak furniture items.

In reality, the finish you choose will align with the aesthetic preferences of the buyer, the piece’s intended use, and the level of protection required. But reclaimed teak is an amazing option for your furniture projects, and with ANADA Limited you can be sure it will be of the highest quality and meet all of your furnishing needs.