View all products in the Bridgman Teak Furniture range...
Genuine Teak (Tectona grandis) is the premier timber for outdoor furniture. Teak combines its beautiful appearance with a strength and durability that is unequalled by any other timbers. Teak has a close grain and a naturally high oil content that makes it both stable and resistant to rot.
All Bridgman Teak furniture is made with the finest kiln dried plantation grown timber from completely reliable and legal sources. Club models have been developed specifically to offer good quality, affordable teak furniture by using a mixture of the higher and middle grades of kiln dried Teak. A slight variation in colour and grain is possible, but this in no way affects the strength or durability of the furniture.
Tecknique models use only the highest grades of kiln dried Teak and use even heavier sections of timber where appropriate. During the manufacturing process a further selection is undertaken to ensure that only teak of the very best quality is used in the manufacturing of Tecknique furniture.
Furniture from our Bridgman's standard Teak, Club and Tecknique models can easily be combined to create exactly the suite or setting to precisely satisfy your discerning requirements.
Nearly every piece of furniture in these ranges has been designed and developed by Bridgman in their headquarters in London. The experience and expertise gained by Bridgman over many years of manufacturing furniture has been utilised and meticulous care has been taken at every stage to create the various unique features that epitomise Bridgman style and innovation.
Much of the construction of the furniture is carried out using methods that are entirely traditional, but further enhanced with the advantage of modern and advanced manufacturing techniques. Traditional solid brass fittings are used extensively on the Tecknique models. In the Club range and particularly where extra strength is requires, zinc plated steel fittings are incorporated.
Both materials are entirely suitable for exterior use. The combination of old and new procedures ensure the highest standards of production and the ultimate quality of the furniture. Bridgman's endeavours have resulted in them being awarded the much coveted "Outdoor Living Award" in three consecutive years at the internationally recognised GLEE exhibition.
Environmental Issues
The Teak Bridgman uses for its standard Teak, Club and Tecknique models comes mainly from the island of Java in Indonesia. It is grown in plantations and we are pleased to give our assurance that Bridgman Teaks does not come from tropical rainforests, which is not always the case with all companies. The plantations from which Bridgman purchase their teak are nearly all owned and controlled by the Indonesian government department, Perum Perhutani.
The Teak originates from plantations that were first established in the Indonesian islands about 150 years ago, by the Dutch. Perum Perhutani now manages most of these plantations, applying a policy of strict and careful cultivation, which began in the nineteenth century and has continued successfully to this present day. Bridgman maintains a policy of promoting good practice with regard to the origins of their timbers.
Aftercare of Wood
All timbers used in the making of the Bridgman outdoor ranges are classified as "Very Durable" by the U.K. Timber Research and Development Association; which is the highest classification possible.
Bridgman IROKO and TEAK furniture leaves the factory untreated. Dependent on personal taste, a prompt decision will need to be made regarding whether or not to treat the timber with any kind of wood finish as detailed below.
Treating the furniture when brand new
To help maintain a more original appearance, the furniture should be treated with an application of Bridgman Treatment, or any other suitable product, always carefully following the manufacturers' instructions. The treatment should first be applied on a part of the furniture that is not easily visible, to check that it satisfies the customers colour requirements. It is not necessary to treat the wood to 'preserve it'. Treating the timber simply slows down the weathering process. It will also help to reduce the amount of end grain cracking and possible warping that may occur over a period of time.
Leaving the furniture untreated
If left untreated, the furniture will gradually turn an attractive Silver Grey colour, which is an oxidization of the surface. Small cracks may appear, especially on the end grain, but these are perfectly normal characteristics and will not affect the strength or durability of the timber. In hot, sunny and dry conditions, some cracks may appear larger, but these will normally reduce in cooler and wetter conditions.
Cleaning the furniture
In a modern environment the atmosphere contains many impurities, which will cause the furniture to become dirty. Fortunately the remedy is usually quite simple. The furniture should be cleaned using either a scrubbing brush and warm slightly soapy water, or a jet wash. When using a jet wash, great care must be taken to ensure that the correct distance is maintained from the surface, to avoid possible damage to the furniture. Any deposits on the surface will be due to something that will have fallen onto the furniture. There is nothing in the timber that can discolour the surface.
Re-treating the furniture
When re-treating the furniture it is essential to first clean it to remove any dirt, using either a scrubbing brush and warm soapy water, or a jet wash. Bridgman Cleaner can be used to assist the cleaning process. Cleaning is absolutely necessary otherwise a new application of treatment will seal in any dirt or marks. When completely dry, lightly sand the surfaces. It is particularly important to sand off any weathered areas, before re-treating.
