Your outdoor space should be welcoming, comfortable and inviting. Choosing the right pieces of furniture is essential if you want to spend more time out enjoying fresh air and sun. If you're looking for durable, strong and good-looking tables, go for folding teak outdoor tables.

One of the main reasons why people would choose a teak outdoor folding table is because it's low maintenance, it's completely resistant to pests, water, and harsh UV rays and looks absolutely gorgeous.

What's a Folding Table?

A folding table collapses in half and is ready for storage when not in use. These tables are usually made of lighter materials such as plastic, aluminium or lighter woods such as teak, and are convenient for outdoor use. Folding tables provide quick pop-up furniture that's simple to assemble and pack when not in use. You can own a small cafe or a bistro, and such tables are the best option for you. But, these tables are excellent even for home use. Many people choose them because they can welcome an entire family for BBQ and when stored they take almost no place

Materials

Outdoor furniture is usually made from lighter materials such as plastic, aluminium or wood. Now, most people who want to choose wood are often buying teak outdoor furniture and the reasons are many. It's a strong, durable, and almost non-maintenance wood.

Strength

A teak outdoor folding table is a long-term investment. It'll serve you for more than a season. This is because this wood is much stronger than any other and can withstand the elements, but also any pest that comes its way. If you live in a rainy or super hot climate, you won't have to worry about your outdoor furniture; you won't have to store it away at all. Teak wood won't crack or starts to peel after being exposed to strong UV rays or water. In fact, it's not going to demand even a coating with a protective coat, since it has its own natural oils that keep it safe.

Versatility

Teak is a type of wood that is easy to work with, allowing manufacturers to create just anything from chairs to outdoor tables. Manufacturers paint it, stain it or wax it and create wonderful finished products that can match your taste and the style of your garden, balcony or patio.

Pest-resistant

This is a very important feature that makes people choose teak over any other wood. Your outdoor tables and chairs won't be immune to pests, but if you truly don't want to waste time coating them every year, go for teak. Its natural oils are pest-repellent and keep the wood safe from any critter that decided to "feed" on it.

Low Maintenance

If you're looking for low-maintenance outdoor furniture, then teak is the right choice. Besides cleaning it with a wet cloth, it doesn't require any coating or storing away during different seasons. In fact, you can keep your tables and chairs outdoors all year long and they will remain good as new.

Affordable

If you're on a budget but want to get your outdoor furniture set, go for teak. It's not too pricy and yet it has the best features out there. However, keep in mind that not every piece that is sold as teak is teak. This wood grows slowly which makes it a bit of a challenge to harvest. Its limited availability makes it prone to imitations by manufacturers.

Teak or Not?

It's a good idea to read the descriptions listed on the store's or manufacturer's website. If the piece is too cheap, chances are it is fake. Many sellers sell wood called Nyatoh, an exotic hardwood that looks like teak. However, these woods are not the same, since this Nyatoh is nowhere near as durable as teak. Some knockoffs are made of sapwood. Both options will crack and split when left outdoors for a while. Both kinds of wood are not pest repellent as teak, so once termites or other pests damage the wood you'll realize that you paid for a knockoff.

Teakwood is rated at Class 1, meaning it has extreme longevity and resistance to insects and warping. Other types of timber don't have these characteristics and will show that you bought furniture that doesn't meet your criteria and needs.

Folding Table Shapes

Round

Round foldable tables are ideal if you have a larger family or often gather friends and relatives for BBQs, drinks and parties. Round foldable tables can easily welcome 8-10 people and offer a communal feel to dining and keep everyone seated close to each other for an intimate conversation. These tables are suitable for larger dining backyards as they require plenty of space when assembled.

Rectangular

These tables are best for smaller backyards, patios or balconies. A common choice, the rectangular shape can't welcome too many people but is more than enough for four people (the standard size). Choose this shape if you need a smaller table where you can have your coffee or drinks with your closest family and friends. If you're in need of a larger table, you can choose a larger model that can easily seat up to twelve people. The larger models can easily extend to give plentiful room for your legs. You can use this table as a buffet table for your summer parties and put it next to a wall to maximize your space.

Square

Square tables are on the smaller side and are usually the first choice for people who need foldable tables for their smaller outdoor space. They can easily work well for bars or bistros, but it's not uncommon to get them for your garden as well.