How to Tell if Your Garden Table Will Survive a British Summer
British summers are charmingly unpredictable. Sun one moment and showers the next, just when you thought it was safe to light the barbecue. While we may be well prepared for these switch ups, your garden furniture often isn’t. It’s hard to enjoy the outdoors when your table is peeling, wobbling, or about to give up.
In this guide, we’ll take you through five simple durability checks to help you tell whether your garden table can handle a British summer or whether it’s already on borrowed time.
Is It Made from Weather-Resistant Materials?
Start with the obvious: what’s it made of? Softwoods, painted finishes, or metal prone to rust will struggle against our ever-changing forecast. The constant exposure to moisture, UV rays, and fluctuating temperatures cause many tables to swell, split, or fade.
On the other hand, an outdoor teak table is naturally built for battle. Rich in oils and with a dense grain, teak stands up to water, heat, and cold without flinching. And over time, it develops a graceful silver patina rather than discolouration or damage.
How Is It Put Together?
Even good materials can fail if the construction is poor. If your table is flat-packed and screwed together with visible fixings or wobbly joints, chances are it probably won’t hold up.
Look for signs of quality joinery, like mortise and tenon connections, where pieces lock together without relying on glue alone. Here at Royal Finesse, our teak garden tables and chairs are traditionally crafted with these connections for optimal durability and longevity.
Will It Cope with Sun, Rain, or Sudden Chill?
The sunshine feels great, but UV rays can be harsh on finishes. Paint peels, plastics go brittle, and untreated wood can warp or crack within weeks. Rain and cool nights can ramp up the stress on every screw, slat, and seal.
Teak outdoor furniture is built to resist the elements. It repels moisture, rot, and mildew, and doesn’t need any chemical coatings to survive a British summer. Its dense grain keeps water out, and its surface gracefully weathering under UV exposure, developing that sought-after silver patina rather than cracking or fading.
How Much Maintenance Does It Really Need?
Some garden tables require constant attention like covering when not in use oiling weekly and sanding annually. That’s fine if you enjoy upkeep, but if you’d rather just enjoy your summer, go for something more hands-off.
Teak needs little more than a quick wipe-down. You can let it weather naturally or oil it once a year to maintain the golden tone.
Will It Still Feel Stable by the End of the Season?
Frequent use, prolonged sun exposure, moisture from rain, and the constant shift between warm days and cool nights can all take their toll. Legs start to wobble, joints loosen, and your once-solid setup feels like anything but.
Teak is a different story. Built to stay exactly where they should, our teak tables remain strong under pressure and hold their form, even at the height of summer. It’s a level of durability you’ll appreciate long after other sets have given up.
Make This the Last Table You Replace
British summers might be unpredictable, but your garden table doesn’t have to be. If it’s made from durable materials, properly constructed, and designed with year-round resilience in mind, it will more than earn its place in your garden.
At Royal Finesse, our handcrafted outdoor teak tables, teak chairs, and teak patio sets are built for the long haul. Explore our collection or take a look at our ex display garden furniture clearance sale for timeless pieces at a fraction of the price.
