Teak Lutyens Bench
Lutyens bench was designed by the renowned British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in the end of the 19th century. It may not be his most famous work but it has profoundly influenced garden furniture design. The bench remains a very popular choice among British home owners which reveals that the architect created a bench which is much more than just a perfect blend of the traditional style and functionality. This outstanding bench is marked by timeless elegance of the traditional style and modern sophistication despite the fact that the design is more than 100 years old. However, the traditional Lutyens bench does not meet the needs of the 21st century lifestyle as well as teak Lutyens bench.
The traditional Lutyens bench was made from English oak which is a beautiful, strong and durable material. But unfortunately it does not withstand exposure to the outdoor elements particularly well. Like most other types of wood, English oak is vulnerable to moisture, direct sunlight exposure and termites. For that reason it needs periodic protective treatments to keep it looking beautiful and extend its durability. Teak, on the other hand, requires no protection against the harsh outdoor conditions whatsoever.
Teak is a tropical hardwood which is naturally resistant to the effects of the weather. Its natural oils protect it from the rain, temperature changes, intense ultraviolet light and other weather elements as well as repel termites. Due to the mentioned properties of teak, a Lutyens bench which is made from this type of wood does not require any care other than occasional cleaning. This makes it a perfect blend of tradition and the needs of the 21st century lifestyle as most home owners cannot and do not want to spend a lot of time and energy on garden furniture care and maintenance.
Teak is also highly sought after for its unique aesthetic appeal. It has a fine texture and beautiful golden brown colour which, however, eventually changes into silvery grey as a result of the weathering process. But this colour change is merely cosmetic, while many people consider the weathered teak even more beautiful because it makes garden furniture appear as it would be made in the 19th century. The so-called weathering process does not have any effect on the wood’s quality or durability. In contrary to most types of wood which last about two decades if cared for properly, teak can last a lifetime despite the fact that it is exposed to extreme conditions without any kind of protection.
Please keep in mind that only grade A teak offers the above mentioned advantages. It is also possible to find grades B and C which are considerably less expensive but they are also less durable than grade A and have to be treated with teak oil to be able to withstand the outdoor elements. So if you would like to enjoy the beauty, comfort and convenience of teak Lutyens bench, you are recommended to choose a bench which is made from grade A teak.