FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which materials do you use?
We combine the highest quality materials with superior craftsmanship and design, which has resulted in worldwide recognition of our brand as representing the best in outdoor furniture. To our renowned range of Teak furniture, we have added contemporary designs using:
Teak
What are the properties of teak?
Teak is a deciduous hardwood tree from the highlands of Southeast Asia; it does not come from tropical rainforests. Teakwood has a naturally high oil content, which makes it both stable and resistant to rotting when exposed to climatic extremes. For centuries, this special quality has made teakwood the preferred choice for marine decking and construction and makes it the premium timber for outdoor furniture.
Where does the wood you use come from?
We manufacture our wooden furniture from Teak, which we source legally from plantations in Brazil and Indonesia.
Brazil The private plantation from which we have sourced our Teak in Brazil has just attained FSC certification.
Indonesia Nearly all Teak in Indonesia comes from government owned plantations on the island of Java. If properly managed, this source would qualify for FSC certification and a few forest districts achieved this recognition between the years 1998 and 2000. Unfortunately, around that time the plantations became subject to large scale illegal felling and theft of the logs, which eventually resulted in withdrawal of the FSC certificates previously granted. Manufacturers of cheap garden furniture use most of the stolen Teak. Currently, some forest districts are working towards reinstatement of their FSC certificate but we have no timetable for this.
Parasols The wood we use for the parasols we manufacture is Agathis, which comes from government owned plantations on the island of Java.
Audit Proforest is an independent company that specializes in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of policy that leads to sustainable forest management. In 2004, we asked ProForest to undertake an audit on the legality and sustainability of the Teak and Agathis we source for our production. Their audit report confirmed this to be the case.
Future Policy Our policy is to move as quickly as possible to FSC certification of most of our furniture.
What is the teak weathering process?
Over a few months in an outdoor environment, untreated teak will weather to a silver grey colour, which is due to the action of sunlight.
Why does new teak sometimes have 'wild' dark or orange stripes?
These markings are perfectly normal and will disappear within a few days, following exposure to the UV spectrum in natural sunlight. These marks are often apparent following the kilning process, which we use to lower the moisture content of the timber prior to manufacture. Kilning reduces the incidence of small cracks that can appear in the furniture due to the changes in temperature and humidity encountered in an outdoor environment.
Why do cracks occasionally appear in my teak furniture?
Teakwood is a natural material and fine cracks in the end grain of components, e.g. legs and arms, may appear due to changes in temperature and humidity and the consequent change in moisture content of the wood. This is normal, especially in heavier components and it will not affect the serviceability of your furniture.
How do you clean teak?
Teakwood will naturally weather from golden brown to a silver grey colour. We recommend the following range of our care products to maintain your Teak furniture.
Barlow Tyrie Teak Cleaner - will quickly remove accumulated dirt.
Barlow Tyrie Teak Stain Guard - forms an invisible layer to protect your teak from everyday stains such as butter, oil and red wine, making the cleaning of accidental spills an easy task.
Barlow Tyrie Teak Colour Guard - will maintain the golden brown colour of new teak by using UV inhibitors to prevent the natural greying process and pigment enhancers to help maintain the natural colour of teak.
Do I need to oil my teak furniture?
Treating with teak oil or other preservatives is not necessary, it will not extend the life of your furniture and is purely cosmetic. We do not recommend oiling your furniture.
Do I need to store my furniture during the winter?
No, all our furniture can be left outdoors, uncovered, all year round. If you choose to cover your furniture during the winter then you should use a material that allows it to breathe.
Stainless Steel
What are the properties of stainless steel?
We use 316 grade stainless steel, commonly known as 'marine grade' because it has a higher resistance to rust than the grade normally used for outdoor furniture. As a result, our furniture is more suitable for use in coastal areas and marine environments where oxidation is a problem.
Aluminium
What are the properties of aluminium?
Aluminium is lightweight and for this reason, we have included it in our range. The aluminium we use is 'Virgin Aluminium', meaning it is not reclaimed from scrap, making it stronger and longer lasting. We powder-coat the aluminium to prevent oxidation and ensure it gives long service.
Textilene
What is Textilene?
We make the slings for our aluminium, stainless steel and teak furniture with this special high quality branded material made from PVC coated, polyester, non-stretch yarn.
Why choose Textilene?
Using this fabric means our slings are strong and durable as well as mildew resistant, flame retardant and low maintenance. We use sonic welding to produce our slings, which results in a more aesthetically pleasing product than glue or stitching.
Cushions & Parasol Fabrics
Are your fabrics waterproof?
The fabrics are not waterproof but are water repellent. This means the manufacturer has applied a water repellent finish to the fabric. The wear resulting from normal usage and cleaning will slowly reduce the effectiveness of this finish. If your fabric remains constantly exposed to the elements and water repellence is a factor then we suggest you re-treat your fabrics after vigorous cleaning with a water repellent treatment or fabric guard, available from marine shops.
Do your parasol fabrics provide ultraviolet protection?
Our fabrics have been tested and proven to provide up to 98% protection from the harmful effects of the sun, depending on the depth of colour. White and lighter coloured fabrics provide less protection than darker fabrics. This protection is inherent to the product and usage will not reduce it.
Are your fabrics fire resistant?
The cushions we supply outside the North American market and our furniture slings are flame retardant and comply with the U.K. Furniture & Furnishings (fire safety) Regulations 1988.
What are your cushions made from?
For our cushion covers, we use Sunbrella® fabric, which is made from 100% solution-dyed acrylic yarn. Sunbrella® fabrics are a guarantee of easy care. They dry quickly, give excellent fade resistance and have the ability to withstand vigorous cleaning. A stain repellent has been applied to the fabric to make cleaning even easier.
Woven Fibre
Is your woven furniture weatherproof?
We make our woven furniture from synthetic fibre, which is very strong, colour fast and completely resistant to sun and rain.
Product Design
Do I need to use a base if I am locating a parasol through a dining table?
Yes, all parasols must be located in the recommended parasol base for safety reasons. We supply our standard parasol bases for when you wish to use a parasol through a dining table, a free standing base is available for use without a table. Standard parasol base plates are available for when a parasol is required for the Equinox Pedestal Tables.
Can we use any of your chairs with any of your tables?
Our dining chairs and tables are made to a standard that gives the correct distance between the seat and table top, which ensures you are comfortable when eating. You can confidently purchase any of our chairs with any of our tables depending on your design preference and the number of people you wish to seat. However, to aid your choice we include some seating suggestions in the specification section along side each table on our web site.
Service
Does your furniture require assembly?
Some pieces are supplied fully assembled whilst others will need minor assembly, in which case instructions are given inside each carton. Your retailer should be able to arrange for the assembly of your furniture, if you require it.
Does your furniture carry a warranty?
Yes, we warrant that our furniture is fit for its intended, reasonable use for a period of five years from the date of purchase. We also warrant that our products are free from defective materials and workmanship, which does not include any small cracks in the end grain of wooden furniture. Special conditions or exceptions to this warranty may apply to some items when intended for use commercially or by the general public; please contact us for details. Items not manufactured by us, which includes cushions, are supplied with their respective manufacturers' warranty. To make a warranty claim please contact your point of purchase.
Can I speak to someone within your company in my native language?
In our U.K. customer service department we have staff who speak German, French and Dutch and in our U.K. sales department we also have staff who speak French and Dutch.
Where can I find the price?
For current retail prices please consult your nearest stockist.
Disclaimer
Copyright
The reproduction and reuse of any information provided on the Barlow Tyrie Limited (the company) web site is strictly prohibited without prior permission from the company, the copyright owners.
If you are a business or private individual and wish to link your Home Page to any part of the Barlow Tyrie site you must contact and consult with us at this address (info@teak.com)
Intellectual property rights
All copyright, design rights (including both registered and unregistered if applicable), trade marks, patents, know-how, confidential information, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights (collectively without limitation 'the Intellectual Property') in or relating to the products vests in and remains with the company. It must be acknowledged that by virtue of the company's exclusive ownership of the intellectual property it may not be exploited without prior written permission.
Disclaimer
Barlow Tyrie Limited operates a policy of continuous improvement and reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice. All weights and dimensions stated are approximate. Illustrations are given as a guide only.
Limitation of liability
In no event will Barlow Tyrie Ltd be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from lost profits, lost data or business interruption arising out of the use or inability to use any part of this site.
