Teak and wood furniture should be specified by more than a species name or a colour image. The project needs the offered species, source information, selection basis, moisture and construction approach, joint and hardware details, finish, expected appearance change, care instructions and evidence relevant to the destination.
Discuss a teak or wood furniture brief
Identify what the wood description means
| Decision | Information to request | What to approve |
|---|---|---|
| Species and source | Common and botanical name where needed, country or supply source, and current chain-of-custody or legality documents if the project requires them. | The exact documentation requirement and its applicability to the offered material and destination. |
| Selection basis | Grade or supplier selection rules, permitted colour and grain variation, repairs, knots and component matching. | A representative range sample rather than one ideal piece. |
| Conditioning and sections | Moisture or conditioning approach, member sizes and any laminated or engineered components. | The construction shown in the quoted item and any limits relevant to the site. |
| Joints and hardware | Joint type, adhesive where relevant, mechanical fasteners, moving parts, edge details and drainage. | A representative corner, connection or adjustable mechanism. |
| Surface system | Uncoated or finished state, preparation, product and colour reference, application and renewal instructions. | Initial appearance and the maintenance route needed to retain or change it. |
Agree the appearance over time
The design team should state whether it wants to retain the initial colour, allow a natural change, or follow another approved finish strategy. Record acceptable variation between pieces and zones. Ask for care instructions and a representative sample range that supports the intended appearance. Do not infer a fixed colour-change timetable from another product or climate.
Review water, dirt and moving parts
- Check horizontal surfaces, end grain, underside details, joints and places where water or debris could remain.
- For loungers or folding furniture, review pivots, stops, handles and the contact points created during adjustment or stacking.
- Identify feet, glides, fasteners and any material that separates the wood from paving, metal or fabric.
- Confirm how cushions sit on the frame, how they are removed, and whether the base can be cleaned and dried.
Make maintenance feasible for the operator
Before approval, compare the proposed instructions with staffing, wash-down access, storage and seasonal closure. Confirm approved cleaners, cleaning sequence, drying, inspection points and the process for renewing a finish if applicable. Ask how a damaged component is identified and whether it can be repaired or replaced without replacing the whole item.
What to submit for review
- furniture schedule, quantities, dimensions and drawings of the offered construction;
- species, source and selection basis, plus destination-specific documents required by the project;
- one representative joint or full product sample and the proposed finish range;
- the area’s sun, rain, wet-use, coastal, cleaning and storage conditions;
- appearance expectations, allowed variation and later-phase matching needs;
- care, repair and replacement information for frame parts, hardware, glides and cushions.
Use Care & Storage Planning to assign the operating routine. For mixed-material products, return to the materials comparison so every interface is recorded.