How To Measure
Furniture is measured at the tallest, deepest and widest points of the item, including overhangs, angles, outward curves and arms. Below are the ones to always consider:
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Measure the Space Where Your Furniture Will Live
Confirm the dimensions of the furniture you want to order, then measure the space in which you intend to place it. Make sure the pieces will fit with room to manoeuvre around them. Consider making a floor plan as it is a great way to ensure your desired pieces will fit.
Island Trading offers complimentary Design Concierge services, either in the showroom or on site. We are happy to assist with space planning.
Measuring Guidelines for Dining Spaces
For these spaces, it is essential to make sure there is enough space for the table and chairs, not forgetting chairs in use! Following these simple guidelines will help to create a warm and welcoming dining space with proper flow and functionality:
• A dining table should have at least 3 feet of clearance on each side to ensure flow around it when people are seated. Measure the width and length of your dining area (in feet) and then subtract 6 feet off each measurement to determine the maximum suggested size of your table (convert feet to inches for table measurements).
• A good rule of thumb is to give a total of 24 inches of width to each seated person. Dividing your maximum table measurements by 24 will you give you the suggested number of chairs for that table. Keep in mind that if you opt for a wider style chair with arms, you will need an additional 6 inches per person. Side chairs or backless benches are a great way to fit more guests around your dining table!
• If you are tight on space, consider an oval or round table as they will often fit more people around them than a similar sized quadrangular table. Extension tables and folding/stacking chairs are great for versatility!
Measuring for Delivery
• When you are ordering check dimensions to make sure items can physically fit through your doorways to make it into your home.
• If you have ordered indoor furniture, think about whether the pieces will fit through doorways and hallways. You can check by measuring the height and width of all the doors and hallways in your home. For narrow hallways, stairwells and entries, measure the clearance.
• It is also a good idea to identify the optimal path from outside your home to the desired location for the furniture piece. Take note of anything that might obstruct the path.
• Remember that the overall width of the doorways and hallways that your furniture will have to go through needs to exceed the item depth or height. If the clearance is less than the item width, it will need to be brought in vertically so the item cannot exceed the height of the doorway.
See diagrams above for visual guidance on measuring.
Read through our guide for care and maintenance tips for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor materials and fabrics.
Teak is a wonderful material for outdoor furniture in Bermuda's climate. New teak furniture possesses a subtle surface sheen due to the natural oils present in the wood. This initial layer of oil will gradually wash away after a brief period outdoors. However, the oils and resins within the teak continue to provide its renowned long-lasting durability. When exposed to the elements, teak furniture will naturally age to an elegant silver-gray patina. This transformation typically occurs over 5-12 months, depending on the local conditions.
- Before placing cushions on your teak furniture, it is important to remove any residual dust from manufacturing by wiping the furniture with a damp cloth. Cushions should not be placed on the teak furniture before this cleaning step to avoid staining.
- You can clean your teak furniture with a soft-bristle brush and soapy water to remove accumulated dirt. We also supply specific teak cleaning products from some of our leading teak suppliers.
- For tougher stains and mildew, add one part household bleach to two parts water in the soap solution. Rinse well after washing.
- Over time, teak may take on a beautiful grey patina. If you would prefer to keep the original colour, we supply teak protectors and teak shields from some of our leading teak suppliers.
- Do not use pressure washers and steel wool on teak, as these can cause damage.
Powder-coated aluminium is a good material for Bermuda as it is lightweight and typically powder-coated for a beautiful and durable finish that is rust-resistant.
- Periodically clean aluminium frames with mild soap and rinse thoroughly.
- You can touch up any scratches using a very fine-grit sandpaper and lightly sand the damaged area until smooth. Then use a clean rag lightly dipped in rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits and wipe the sanded area clean of dirt and oil.
- Do not use wax, abrasive materials, or strong detergents on aluminium finishes.
Sling fabrics allow water and air to flow through for quick drying and remain cool due to the open nature of the fabric weave. The fabric is stretched onto a furniture frame for firm, yet comfortable seating.
- For regular maintenance, wash and rinse sling fabric with your garden hose.
- For tougher stains, use a high-quality sling or fabric cleaner. Make sure to use protective gloves and eye protection. Alternatively, you can mix three gallons of warm water with one cup of household bleach and one cup of mild detergent. Remember to rinse well!
- Do not use solvent-type materials which will cause the fabric to become brittle.
Outdoor fabrics are weather and stain-resistant, making them wonderfully durable and easy to clean - perfect for our outdoor spaces!
- Brush off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabric, and wipe up spills or clean soon after a stain occurs. Spray on an upholstery cleaner or a cleaning solution of mild soap and lukewarm water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and air-dry.
- For tougher stains, you can clean removable fabrics or cushion covers in the washing machine; do not machine dry.
To clean your wicker furniture:
- Rinse the frame with fresh water using low hose pressure. Optionally, you may wash the woven material with a mild detergent and warm water using a very soft brush or cloth.
- After washing, thoroughly rinse with fresh water to ensure no soap bubbles remain.
- Allow the furniture to air-dry.
- Do not use solvents, harsh chemicals, stain removers, or abrasive tools to clean rope.
- For routine or spot cleaning, begin by removing surface dust using a vacuum with a very soft, non-rotating brush or hose attachment designed for delicate surfaces. Alternatively, lightly brush off debris with either a cloth or a non-metallic, very soft brush, taking care not to disturb the fine fibres of the rope.
- Prepare a mixture of mild detergent and warm water in a spray bottle and apply it to the frame or stained area. Let the solution sit briefly before gently cleaning with a soft cloth (preferred) or a very soft brush. Remember to 'blot' rather than 'rub'. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any detergent residue and allow the furniture to air-dry.
Care tips for textiles/fabrics:
- Vacuum the surface of your furniture regularly, including the deck under the cushions, with the upholstery attachments of your vacuum cleaner.
- Direct sunlight can cause the fabrics to fade. Care should be taken to limit the amount of direct sun on any piece of furniture.
- Loose cushions should be flipped and rotated frequently to minimise soiling and add to the longevity of your upholstery.
- All spills should be cleaned immediately. Start by blotting the spill using a clean, absorbent cloth. If stain remains, please follow the cleaning code instructions below according to the type of fabric on your upholstery.
- To successfully clean fabric, it is important to determine the type of fabric and the recommended cleaning code. The cleaning code for your upholstery can be found on the law tag attached to the furniture. Always pretest an inconspicuous area of the upholstery before spot cleaning.
Here are some tips to keep your indoor dining furniture looking beautiful and clean:
- Make sure furniture is not exposed to direct sunlight, which may harm the finish.
- When moving furniture, lift rather than dragging on the floor.
- Do not clean your furniture with window-cleaning products, as the ammonia they contain will destroy the finish.
- Gently wipe down furniture with a damp cloth. When cleaning a table that has a glass top, make sure the glass cleaning product does not come into contact with the wood pieces.
- Immediately wipe away any liquid spilled on a tabletop.
- Store any table leaves where conditions are similar to your table.
- For any greasy stains, a mix of water and vinegar (50/50) is best.
- A butcher block should be treated with food grade mineral oil on a regular basis.
Grade A Teak
All of our teak furniture is First European Quality (FEQ) Grade A teak, and carefully harvested from the centre of the log to ensure the highest quality. All timber is sustainably harvested in Indonesia, ensuring that production practices are eco-friendly and socially responsible. Exceptionally weather-resistant, teak is impervious to sun and rain making it suitable for diverse climates, including salt-air environments such as Bermuda. Teak's natural beauty is highlighted by its exquisite grain and knot-free appearance, which evolves from a warm golden-brown to a sophisticated silver-grey as it weathers. The wood is kiln dried prior to manufacturing to prevent shrinkage from moisture loss, ensuring joints will remain tight after years of use. We do not recommend any stains or oils to Grade A teak furniture, opting instead for a smooth, sanded finish that allows the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. Natural variation in colour and grain is inherent to teak and adds to its unique character and charm.
Before You Use Your New Teak Furniture
While we have wiped your teak furniture thoroughly with a damp cloth before it leaves our warehouse, teak contains natural oils that can stain cushion fabric. Therefore we recommend that before placing any cushions on your furniture, that you wipe it down with a damp cloth again, hose it or allow rain water to wash over it before placing cushions on it. Cushions should not be placed on the teak furniture before this cleaning step to avoid staining.
How Teak Weathers
Teak wood is rich in natural oils. When furniture is new, some of these oils may surface from the wood during damp or humid conditions. To help prevent oil from discolouring upholstery, remove cushions from frames and pull sling chairs out from beneath dining tables when furniture is not in use. This precaution should no longer be necessary once the furniture begins to weather after a few rainfalls.
Grain Lifting
After the first few rainfalls, teak furniture may feel slightly rough due to a lifting of the grain. This is caused by small wood fibres on the surface absorbing moisture, swelling, and standing up, which makes the finish feel less smooth. These fibres will gradually lay down and the wood will return to a smooth surface through normal use.
Checking
Teak wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. Over time this can result in small cracks or "checking" on surfaces of the furniture. Checking is cosmetic only and typically has no impact on the structural integrity of the frame.
Colour Change
When used outdoors, teak wood will gradually form a handsome silver-grey patina. This process typically takes nine to twelve months depending on climate and level of exposure.
If you prefer to keep your teak a golden-brown colour, we recommend the periodic application of a teak protector. We carry a variety of products to help protect and clean teak furniture.
To allow furniture to develop the gray patina, use only soap and water to clean your furniture. Do not use bleach, chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or teak cleaners as these products will remove the grey patina and return the wood to a brown colour.
Water spots or other discolouration may also occur during the weathering process. These will even out with time and with periodic cleaning, the furniture will achieve a uniform silver-grey.
Protecting Teak Tabletops
To help protect your teak tabletops, avoid placing heavy objects on the surface, such as plants, that could scratch or leave watermarks on the surface. Also, refrain from setting hot items like pans directly on the table to prevent discolouration from heat damage. For items that sit on the table for extended periods, especially those made from natural stone or materials that retain moisture, it is advisable to use felt pads to avoid scratches and discolouration. Similarly, use coasters under beverages to prevent condensation rings. Spills should be cleaned up quickly to avoid stains, ensuring the surface remains pristine.
An excellent product we carry is Teak Shield. This completely transparent product makes it difficult for stains from red wine, salad oil, and coffee to penetrate the wood, allowing fresh spills to be wiped away with a damp cloth. Teak Shield can be used on clean, naturally weathered wood, or on furniture that has been treated with a teak protector. We recommend applying it two or more times per year, depending on use and exposure.
How to Clean Your Teak Furniture
The only maintenance necessary for your furniture is periodic cleaning. First, hose down the furniture with fresh water. Avoid using a high-pressure hose, as high pressure can erode the surface of the timber. Next, scrub the wet furniture with a soft bristle brush using a solution of 2/3 cup of standard laundry detergent (or ¼ cup of high efficiency laundry detergent) and 1/4 cup bleach in 1 gallon of warm water. When finished, rinse the entire piece with more fresh water to remove any remaining cleaning solution. This procedure is sufficient for standard cleaning.
For more difficult stains and intensive cleaning, we recommend using one of our teak cleaning products. Note that this will remove the silver-grey patina and restore the furniture to its original golden-brown colour.
FAQs
Should I oil my teak furniture?
Avoid oiling or using oil-based sealers on teak furniture, as applying excess oil or oiling wood that is not completely dry can lead to mildew growth. For the best results, we recommend using a water-based sealant, such as a teak protector.
What are the black dots on my teak furniture?
Although teak wood itself does not mildew, mildew can sometimes grow on dirt and other foreign substances that have not been removed from the wood. This is more common in warm, humid climates like Bermuda. If this occurs, follow the standard cleaning instructions immediately. Do not let the mildew remain on the wood for too long, as doing so could cause stains that are difficult to remove.
How can I prevent mildew on my teak furniture?
We recommend periodically cleaning your teak to remove environmental deposits that could promote mildew growth. Applying Teak Shield has also been shown to impede mildew growth.