| Since the beginning of time man has espoused the | | | | Hardwoods, like Balau, enjoy the superior weathering |
| quality, warmth and beauty of wood for his | | | | properties of these woods but are unsure as to the |
| cherished furnishings. Well, time marches on but some | | | | proper care. In this instance "proper care" actually |
| things need not change just for reasons of | | | | means less work and nicer appearance. Teak Oil has |
| "progress". When it comes to outdoor casual and | | | | long been the most common way to protect |
| patio furnishings, technology has brought us cast iron, | | | | outdoor tropical hardwoods. But technology |
| PVC pipe, aluminum, cast aluminum and plastic. But | | | | (remember that we started this article talking about |
| technology has fallen short and really offers nothing | | | | technology) has provided a better way. Among the |
| in this venue to match the beauty and durability of | | | | drawbacks of teak oil is the fact that true teak oil |
| tropical hardwoods like Teak or Balau. Between the | | | | (which is tung oil) never completely dries, collects dirt, |
| Ultra Violet Rays of the sun in our southern clime, the | | | | and washes off. So you now have a vicious circle. |
| salt air that we enjoy - living near the ocean, and the | | | | Apply the teak oil, which looks wonderful, the teak oil |
| high humidity of this environment, there is nothing | | | | collects dirt, you wash the dirt off, and take some of |
| more suitable than tropical hardwood. | | | | the teak oil off in the process. After 4-6 weeks of |
| In considering the "new" materials available today, | | | | this cycle and you have to start all over again. |
| each one has drawbacks that leave tropical | | | | A major U.S. University has developed an |
| hardwoods superior. The U.V. rays from the sun are | | | | environmentally friendly sealer for high density tropical |
| a real hazard to these new materials. These harmful | | | | hardwoods that is loaded with U.V. inhibitors, |
| rays break down PVC and plastics and burn off | | | | incorporates a fungicide and mildewcide agent to |
| painted finishes. Couple that with the corrosive salt air | | | | resist those black mildew spots that grow down |
| that will make most things metallic rust and corrode | | | | here, looks just like teak oil, and because it's |
| seemingly while you watch, and one begins to see | | | | environmentally friendly can be applied with a brush |
| that man-made materials just can't make the grade. | | | | without wearing gloves or mask or radiation suit. |
| Even powder-coated materials can chip and leave | | | | When done, you can simply rinse your brush out |
| exposed the underlying material to rust or corrode. | | | | under a faucet. This product is called Banana River |
| Tropical hardwoods, on the other hand, are grown in | | | | Sealer and is sold by Avonlea Gardens in Melbourne, |
| the tropical climes of the Pacific-Asia region and for | | | | Florida, 800-238-0604. |
| hundreds, even thousands, of years have been highly | | | | Unlike the teak oil nightmare cited above, Banana |
| touted for their superior abilities to withstand the | | | | River Sealer will protect, renourish, and beautify your |
| elements. Because of its classic, natural looks, "it will | | | | investment for 7-9 months out in the direct sunlight |
| never go out of style, " says Karin Strom, an interior | | | | or 1-2 years under cover of a screen porch, lanai, or |
| decorator and author of What's in Style-Outdoor | | | | gazebo. Reapplication is simple and easy. Simply wash |
| Living. Some may think that the salt air is harmful to | | | | your furniture with soap and water to remove any |
| the tropical hardwood when actually it is a | | | | dirt, because you don't want to apply sealer over |
| preservative. Sailors have long known that to | | | | dirt, and reapply another coat using a soft bristle |
| preserve the teak decks on their great sailing ships, | | | | brush. If you happen to scratch your furniture the |
| that a bucket of salt water wash down daily would | | | | Banana River Sealer will blend in for touch-up. This |
| keep the decks shipshape. Tropical hardwoods, left | | | | process can go on indefinitely. This is why those in |
| unattended will "weather" to a silver gray patina. | | | | the know refer to high density tropical hardwood |
| However, unlike many of the new materials, tropical | | | | casual furniture as "heirloom furniture". With a |
| hardwoods can also be kept looking like new with a | | | | minimum of effort, you can enjoy your beautiful |
| minimum of effort. | | | | tropical hardwood casual furniture - for life. |
| Many people with Teak or Alternative Tropical | | | | |