Oxford Garden

Description of shorea and weathering process:

Shorea is a tropical hard wood that is comparable to teak. Because of its high oil content, shorea easily sheds water making it highly resistant to rotting. Also highly resistant to bug infestation, this heavy wood has a remarkable ability to withstand the effects of wind, rain, sun, and snow. If left untreated, shorea weathers naturally to a beautiful silver gray. Some surface roughness may develop, especially at the end grain, but over a period of about one year, the natural weathering process will stabilize. Moderate checking in the grain is normal with exposure to the elements. Some small cracks may appear but these are only on the surface and in no way affect the structural integrity of the furniture.

Wood Care Instruction:

After assembly, furniture should be rinsed well with water to remove dust left over from manufacturing. This should be done before placing on concrete, or tile to prevent staining. Since shorea has such high oil content and is so dense, it weathers well outside without maintenance however in extremely dry climates we recommend a routine application of teak oil or Cabot's Australian Timber Oil to prevent excessive weathering. Shorea will weather naturally to silver gray.

A seasonal cleaning may be desired. This can be done easily with a mild solution of water, laundry detergent and a little bleach. Just rinse the furniture and using a sponge or soft bristle brush scrub the furniture with the solution. Lastly, rinse the furniture with more fresh water.

If the original warm brown color is preferred, Oxford Garden suggests Cabot's Australian Timber Oil or any high-quality teak oil to be used seasonally to preserve the color. The application of oil is cosmetic however in extremely dry climates it reduces the effects of weathering. Test in an inconspicuous spot to approve the color before applying to the whole piece of furniture. Application of oil is at the customer's discretion and is not included in the warranty.