Garden Benches - The Westminster Teak Range

The Westminster Teak range resides in some of the most prestigious buildings in the world, including the White House, and is often used in hotels such as the Four Seasons and Hyatts. All of the wood for the outdoor furniture range is sustainably forested, and the company was the first to sign up to the Indonesian Chapter of the Global Forest Trade Network (GFTN), an initiative of Worldwide Wildlife Fund (WWF). All of the logging is regulated by Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, which manages threatened forests and also promotes the livelihoods of people working in the region.

Teak, although a common species, is under threat from exploitation in the forests of Burma, India and Thailand, therefore it is important to always check the Teak in your furniture is sustainably sourced. Westminster Teak uses 100 per cent Teak wood, or Tectona Grandis. This is a tall tree which can grow up to 40 metres in south east Asia. It is known for its durability and weather resistance. But surprisingly comes from the mint family, which includes plants such as basil, oregano and rosemary. The Westminster Teak is kiln dried, and quality checks ensure there are no knots, splits or cracks in the wood. The teak is then rested to reabsorb moisture, which means it will not warp and can withstand all varieties of weather.