FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

All the below information kindly provided by Barlow Tyrie and is an extract from their website www.teak.com.

Which materials do Barlow Tyrie use?

Barlow Tyrie combine the highest quality materials with superior craftsmanship and design, which has resulted in worldwide recognition of their brand as representing the best in outdoor furniture. To their renowned range of Teak furniture, they have added contemporary designs using:

Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Textilene synthetic material, Woven synthetic fibre, Cushions and parasol fabrics

What are the properties of teak?

Teak is a deciduous hardwood tree from the highlands of Southeast Asia; it does not come from tropical rainforests. Teakwood has a naturally high oil content, which makes it both stable and resistant to rotting when exposed to climatic extremes. For centuries, this special quality has made teakwood the preferred choice for marine decking and construction and makes it the premium timber for outdoor furniture.

Where does the wood Barlow Tyrie use come from?

Barlow Tyrie manufacture their wooden furniture from Teak, which they source legally from plantations in Indonesia. Nearly all Teak in Indonesia comes from government owned plantations on the island of Java. If properly managed, this source would qualify for FSC certification and a few forest districts achieved this recognition between the years 1998 and 2000. Unfortunately, around that time the plantations became subject to large scale illegal felling and theft of the logs, which eventually resulted in withdrawal of the FSC certificates previously granted. Manufacturers of cheap garden furniture use most of the stolen Teak. Currently, some forest districts are working towards reinstatement of their FSC certificate but there is no timetable for this.

Audit Proforest is an independent company that specializes in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of policy that leads to sustainable forest management. In 2004, Barlow Tyrie asked ProForest to undertake an audit on the legality and sustainability of the Teak they source for their production. Their audit report confirmed this to be the case.

Future Policy Barlow Tyries policy is to move as quickly as possible to FSC certification for most of their furniture.

What is the teak weathering process?

Over a few months in an outdoor environment, untreated teak will weather to a silver grey colour, which is due to the action of sunlight.

Why does new teak sometimes have 'wild' dark or orange stripes?

These markings are perfectly normal and will disappear within a few days, following exposure to the UV spectrum in natural sunlight. These marks are often apparent following the kilning process, which lowers the moisture content of the timber prior to manufacture. Kilning reduces the incidence of small cracks that can appear in the furniture due to the changes in temperature and humidity encountered in an outdoor environment.

Why do cracks occasionally appear in my teak furniture?

Teakwood is a natural material and fine cracks in the end grain of components, e.g. legs and arms, may appear due to changes in temperature and humidity and the consequent change in moisture content of the wood. This is normal, especially in heavier components and it will not affect the serviceability of your furniture.

How do you clean teak?

Over time, teak will naturally weather from golden brown to a silver grey colour. The following range of Barlow Tyrie products will help you care for your teak furniture.
"Barlow Tyrie Teak Cleaner" will quickly remove accumulated dirt.
"Barlow Tyrie Teak Stain Guard" forms an invisible layer to protect your teak furniture from everyday stains such as butter, oil and red wine, making the cleaning of accidental spills an easy task.
"Barlow Tyrie Teak Colour Guard", applied when the furniture is new or after the application of "Barlow Tyrie Teak Cleaner", will help maintain the golden brown colour of new teak by using pigment enhancers together with UV inhibitors to prevent the natural greying process.

Do I need to oil my teak furniture?

Treating with teak oil or other preservatives is not necessary, it will not extend the life of your furniture and is purely cosmetic. Barlow Tyrie do not recommend oiling your furniture.

Do I need to store my furniture during the winter?

No, all Barlow Tyrie furniture can be left outdoors, uncovered, all year round. If you choose to cover your furniture during the winter then you should use a material that allows it to breathe.

What are the properties of stainless steel?

Barlow Tyrie use two grades of stainless steel; 316 Grade, commonly known as ‘marine grade’ and 304 Grade, the most commonly used for garden furniture.

316 and 304 grades are both suitable for use in inland locations, but 316 grade is ideally suited for most coastal areas and marine environments.
304 grade should not be used in heavily chlorinated environments

If you have any questions or concerns about which grade is best suited for your area, please contact GardenSite customer service

Please note that all outdoor furniture, including stainless steel, requires some maintenance to keep it looking its best.

How do I clean stainless steel?

Whilst 316 grade is highly resistant to corrosion it might still require some maintenance to preserve its finish, dependant on the environment. To maintain the finish of both 316 and 304 grades, we recommend you use “Barlow Tyrie Stainless Steel Clean and Guard”, which cleans the stainless steel and leaves a fine layer of Teflon on the surface to help prevent the build up of contaminants.

What are the properties of aluminium?

Aluminium is lightweight and for this reason, Barlow Tyrie have included it in their range. The aluminium they use is 'Virgin Aluminium', meaning it is not reclaimed from scrap, making it stronger and longer lasting. Barlow Tyrie powder-coat the aluminium to prevent oxidation and ensure it gives long service.

What is Textilene?

Barlow Tyrie make the slings for their aluminium, stainless steel and teak furniture with this special high quality branded material made from PVC coated, polyester, non-stretch yarn.

Why choose Textilene?

Using this fabric means our slings are strong and durable as well as mildew resistant, flame retardant and low maintenance. Barlow Tyrie use sonic welding to produce their slings, which results in a more aesthetically pleasing product than glue or stitching.

How do I clean Textilene?

To clean and maintain your Textilene or woven furniture, use Barlow Tyrie Textilene and Woven Cleaner, which was developed to prevent unsightly residue remaining after the cleaning process.

Are your Barlow Tyrie fabrics waterproof?

Barlow Tyrie cushions have a water repellent finish but are not waterproof and should not be left out in heavy rain. If cushions become saturated then place them on one edge and allow the water to drain away until they are thoroughly dry.
Do not store cushions when they are wet

Do Barlow Tyrie parasol fabrics provide ultraviolet protection?

Barlow Tyrie fabrics have been tested and proven to provide up to 98% protection from the harmful effects of the sun, depending on the depth of colour. White and lighter coloured fabrics provide less protection than darker fabrics. This protection is inherent to the product and usage will not reduce it.

Are Barlow Tyrie fabrics fire resistant?

The cushions Barlow Tyrie supply and their furniture slings are flame retardant and comply with the U.K. Furniture & Furnishings (fire safety) Regulations 1988.

What are Barlow Tyrie cushions made from?

Barlow Tyrie manufacture their cushions using Sunbrella® fabric, made from a durable, 100% solution dyed acrylic fibre that is very colour fast in sunlight. A stain repellent is applied to the fabric, although it will withstand vigorous cleaning if necessary.

How do I clean cushions and parasols?

To clean and maintain your cushions and parasols, we recommend you use Barlow Tyrie Fabric Cleaner which will remove dirt, grease, oil and mould. After cleaning we recommend using Barlow Tyrie Weather Guard which will protect the fabric from the aging affects of the weather.

We recommend you leave the cushion covers on during the cleaning process.

We recommend that parasol canopies should be cleaned on the frame.

We suggest you clean your cushions before you store them in a dry, well ventilated area.

Do I need to use a base if I am locating a parasol through a dining table?

Yes, all parasols must be located in the recommended parasol base for safety reasons. Use standard parasol bases for when you wish to use a parasol through a dining table, a free standing base is available for use without a table. Standard parasol base plates are available for when a parasol is required for the Equinox Pedestal Tables.

Can we use any Barlow Tyrie chairs with any Barlow Tyrie tables?

Barlow Tyrie dining chairs and tables are made to a standard that gives the correct distance between the seat and table top, which ensures you are comfortable when eating. You can confidently purchase any Barlow Tyrie chairs with any Barlow Tyrier tables depending on your design preference and the number of people you wish to seat.

Does Barlow Tyrie furniture require assembly?

Some pieces are supplied fully assembled whilst others will need minor assembly, in which case instructions are given inside each carton.

Barlow Tyrie Limited operates a policy of continuous improvement and reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice. All weights and dimensions stated are approximate. Illustrations are given as a guide only.