BATH & SPA

Our teak products are the perfect addition to any bath. They are beautiful, durable, and easy to care for. With just a little bit of effort, you can keep your teak product looking like new for many years to come. Here are answers to some common questions on how to care for your teak product:

Teak requires little maintenance. However, when placed directly in the shower, your teak mat, bench, or accessory may accumulate soap residue. To clean your teak item, use a soft bristle brush to scrub gently with the grain. Make sure to clean the underside as well. Rinse well with fresh water and let it air dry.

To avoid grime or mildew, please ensure the teak regularly dries thoroughly. This is especially important in areas with little or no air circulation, such as enclosed shower stalls.

Since your shower mat has constant water flow on top, it will show very little soap residue. Underneath, however, is a different story! Soap residue can accumulate in nooks and crannies, attracting mold and mildew.

While unsightly, this will not affect the teak. To clean, use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub the teak with the grain. Rinse well with fresh water and let it air dry. To avoid grime or mildew, please ensure the teak regularly dries thoroughly. This is especially important in areas with little or no air circulation, such as enclosed shower stalls.

The topside of your bench is cleaned by water flow from the shower. Soap and grime can accumulate on the underside and in nooks and crannies, attracting mold and mildew.

While unsightly, this will not affect the teak. To clean, use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub the teak with the grain. Rinse well with fresh water and let it air dry. To avoid grime or mildew, please ensure the teak regularly dries thoroughly. This is especially important in areas with little or no air circulation, such as enclosed shower stalls.

No! Our products are made of quality Grade A teak with high natural oil content.

The natural oils in the teak keep it waterproof and protect it from the weather, elements, and pests. It takes care of itself. You never need a special ‘teak cleaner’ or ‘teak oil’ to take care of your product – ever! Oils and finishing products promote mold and mildew and can disfigure the wood – we’ve even seen them turn teak black! So please leave your ARB Teak & Specialties product natural.

* Please note that applying oil, varnish, or any other chemical product to your ARB Teak & Specialties product will void the warranty.

No, your teak will not weather to gray if it is used indoors. If your bench or mat is used outdoors such as in an outdoor shower, your teak will weather naturally to a beautiful silvery-grey patina. How fast it will weather depends on the location of your outdoor shower and the exposure to the elements such as sun, rain, and snow.

Yes, we can cut your mat based on your exact measurements. We will select a mat that is slightly bigger than the area you want to cover, and we will custom cut to your measurements.

Measure the length and width of the shower – measure the distance from wall to wall at the base of the shower. Then subtract 1/4" from the length and width – this allows the mat to be easily removed for cleaning.

Finally, specify if you require the corners to be rounded and by how much. You can always call our customer service team to assist you in measuring your shower.

Graphic example: https://www.arbteak.com/pages/custom-shower-mat

Customer service team: 1-855-772-8325

Yes, it will be stable as it sits on cross beams that run the width of your mat. The total height of a teak mat is 1-1/4" (¾" for crossbars, ¾" thickness for the surface). We strongly suggest covering all surfaces of your shower base for stability and beauty. See "Custom Mats" for further details. We do not recommend using a small mat, like a 24" x 14" in a 30" x 25" shower. However, you can install rubber gliders readily available in hardware stores for stability if needed.

Yes, your teak mat can be used outdoors, including beside pools, hot tubs, outdoor showers, etc. Teak wood is exceptionally strong and durable. Its naturally high oil content protects it from the elements without the need for finishing and sealing products. Make sure the mat is on a somewhat flat surface.

Installing the plastic gliders included with your bench is optional, that's why we don't install them directly. We recommend installing the gliders to prevent soap residues and the natural oils of teak staining light-colored grout and porous tiles and surfaces which are prone to staining. They also allow more air circulation and help dry the bottom of the legs. Drill a small hole before installing them, otherwise, the legs may crack.

Since we never use synthetic oils on our products, this problem can be solved quickly. The green pamphlet that came with your product clearly states that before using your product, you should wash it thoroughly to remove any sawdust from production. If you notice staining after a thorough cleaning, this may be occur when teak products are constantly exposed to moisture, water or are in areas with limited air circulation. An easy solution for this is to install gliders/stoppers under your teak product. This will raise the wood and help prevent soap residues, beauty products used and the natural oils of the teak wood from staining light-coloured grout and porous tiles and surfaces which are prone to staining. But most importantly, this will allow more air circulation and help dry the bottom of your teak product that is constantly exposed to water, moisture and in areas with limited air circulation. Gliders are included with our shower benches. If these were discarded, gliders are readily available in hardware stores.

Yes, the mat will be stable. It sits on cross-beams which run its entire width. The mat will conform to the slope of your shower-base over time. Our teak mats are 1-¼" thick (¾" thick crossbars, ¾" thick surface). We strongly suggest using a mat that covers the entire surface of your shower base – see “Custom Mats” for more details.

If you wish, you can install rubber gliders (easily available in hardware stores) to your mat for extra stability.

We recommend installing the plastic gliders, but they are optional (which is why we do not install them ourselves). By creating a little space between the teak and the floor, they help prevent soap residue from gathering on the bottom of the bench. This also prevents the teak’s natural oils from staining surfaces like grout and porous tile. The space allows for greater air circulation, which helps keep the bottom of the bench dry and prevents mildew.

This is not due to a fault in our item but because of the conditions it is kept in.

Staining can occur when soap residue accumulates on an item which is kept constantly wet and without air circulation. Have you ever picked up a shampoo
bottle and noticed that it left a ring on the shower/bath surface?

That is the same phenomenon. The accumulated residues of soap and beauty products mixed with the natural oils in the teak wood can stain light-coloured porous surfaces like grout or tile.

This can easily be prevented by installing gliders under your teak product. Gliders are included with our shower benches and are readily available in hardware stores. Installing gliders also improves air circulation around the bottom of your teak product, which helps keep your item dry and free of mildew.

Alternatively, you can avoid stains by periodically cleaning your teak and allowing it to dry.

OUTDOOR - PATIO

Teak is a beautiful wood that lasts for many years when properly cared for. This tropical hardwood, highly sought-out for high-end furniture, will add a touch of luxury to your outdoors. ARB Teak & Specialties products are made from the highest quality teak and are built to last. Here are some tips for caring for your teak product.

Although teak is hardy and can tolerate years of neglect, your outdoor furniture and accessories will still benefit from regular cleaning. We recommend cleaning at least once a year. Clean using a soft bristle brush, mild soap (such as dish soap), and water. Scrub lightly with the grain and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Do not pressure wash due to risk of warping.

Teak turning grey is not a bad thing. Teak develops a beautiful silvery-grey patina with prolonged exposure to the elements. Development of this patina depends on location and exposure to weather (sun, rain, and snow). As with all untreated wood, the sun oxidises the surface of the teak over time.

No! Our products are made of quality teak with high natural oil content. The natural oils in the teak keep it waterproof and protect it from the weather,
elements, and pests. It takes care of itself. You never need a special ‘teak cleaner’ or ‘teak oil’ to take care of your product – ever! Oils and finishing products promote mold and mildew and can disfigure the wood – we’ve even seen them turn teak black! So please leave your ARB Teak & Specialties product natural.

* Please note that applying oil, varnish, or any other chemical product to your ARB Teak & Specialties product will void the warranty.

No. These are hairline cracks which occur naturally. These cracks are often more noticeable at the end grain (the wood grain that is exposed at the ends of the boards). Wood expands and contracts slightly with changes in temperature and humidity, causing these tiny cracks. They do not weaken the product and are not defects. Because teak wood is a natural product, it continually “settles” and adjusts to its environment; this does not affect the structural stability of your product in any way. Please do not worry if you see hairline cracks in your teak product.

Yes! You can leave your teak outside year-round. Teak wood is naturally waterproof and resists extreme heat and cold, humidity and dryness, sun, snow, and rain. However, if too much snow accumulates, the weight could damage your furniture. We recommend periodically removing the snow off your teak. When the snow melts, it will leave behind a residue of dirt that will need to be cleaned. To prevent this, you can either cover your teak (with a tarp or similar) or place it in an unheated storage space (such as in a shed or under a deck).

Check if your furniture has any exposed screws and tighten them. We recommend periodically checking screws to ensure that they are snug. Take care not to over- or under-tighten the screws – under-tightening screws will leave your furniture loose, and over-tightened screws can break. Our screws are made of brass and will never rust.

GENERAL

At ARB Teak & Specialties, we are committed to providing our clients with world-class service. Please refer to the section below for general questions regarding our order handling process. If your question is not answered below, please contact us at info@arbteak.com or 1-855-772-8325, or by using the contact form at (link to contact form).

Teak is a prized material for high-end furniture. This tropical hardwood has very high oil content, which makes it waterproof, weatherproof, anti-bacterial, and very resistant to mold. It never rots! The lifespan of teak furniture is at least 75 years, so your children and grandchildren will enjoy your ARB Teak & Specialties product as much as you do. Our teak is certified Indonesian Legal Wood, guaranteeing that it is sustainably grown and harvested.

It is sourced from government-managed plantations in Indonesia. We only use Grade A teak, which comes from the heartwood of a fully mature (40+ years old) tree and has the highest density and oil content.

Our furniture is hand-sanded and splinter-free. We use mortise and tenon joints, an ancient technique which produces very strong, clean-looking joints.

No. At ARB Teak & Specialties, we use 100% natural Grade "A" teak. This comes from the heart of the tree and is a lovely golden-brown colour – never dark brown. Because it is a natural product, the colour can differ slightly from one tree to another.

A soft bristle brush and dish soap. Fill a bucket with mild soap and warm water. Use the brush to gently scrub with the grain, then rinse with fresh water and allow to dry in open air. If your teak requires deeper cleaning, soak it in water or use a stiffer brush. If your teak was neglected for years, you can sand it down
with 220 sandpaper. You can even use an electric palm sander if needed. Our products are made of 100% teak, no veneer or laminate – surface imperfections
can be sanded away without fear.

We provide a 2-year limited warranty on all our products. We guarantee that our products are free from defects in workmanship. If you discover a defect within 2 years of purchase, please contact us. An ARB Teak & Specialties representative will examine the product. If it is found to be defective, it will be repaired or replaced at our discretion.

Our warranty does not cover damage caused by abuse, misuse, negligence, or normal wear and tear. Variations in the colour of the teak are normal and do not indicate a defect. These variations can be caused by exposure to sunlight, household solvents, or other products. Hairline cracks can be caused by the wood’s natural expansion and contraction. They do not weaken the product and are not defects.

The warranty is voided if you apply oil, varnish, or any other finishing product to your ARB Teak & Specialties product.

If you purchased your item from ARB Teak & Specialties’ website, please contact our customer service team at orders@arbteak.com with your ARB Teak & Specialties order number. Include photos and a description of why you want to return your item. You can also call 1-855-772-8325. When your return is accepted, we will send you a return authorization (RGA number), shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to ARB Teak & Specialties without authorization will not be accepted.

All items must be returned in their original packaging. Items with teak oil, varnish, or any other finishing products applied cannot be returned.

Once we receive, inspect and approve the return, a notification will be sent. The return will then be refunded in the original payment method. Please note it may take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund.

If you purchased your item through a 3rd party vendor (e.g. Amazon, Home Depot, other big-box stores, resellers, or online marketplaces) we cannot oversee the return of your item. Please contact the vendor directly for their return policy.

If your order has an item that is temporarily unavailable to ship immediately, our customer service team will contact you to discuss delay details or alternative options.

Yes, our Montreal warehouse is open for order pick-ups. If you purchase online, make sure you select the option “pick-up” under the delivery method, so you won’t get a shipping fee added to your order. Please call ahead to book an appointment by calling our customer service team to arrange a pick-up window. This will ensure we stay open following our local health guidelines and recommendations. Our warehouse is open from Monday to Friday 9 h 30 - 16 h 30.

8114 Transcanadienne
Ville Saint-Laurent, QC H4S 1M5 (514) 379-1944

We use only Grade “A” certified teak from government-managed plantations in Indonesia. All our wood is certified Indonesian Legal Wood, guaranteeing that it is sustainably grown and harvested. Grade A teak comes from the heartwood of a fully mature (40-80 years old) tree. The heartwood is the densest part of the tree and has the highest oil content. The high oil content means that it is antibacterial and will never rot.

If you wish to order an item that is currently out of stock, please contact us. We can back-order the product and ship it to you when it is available. Our customer service team can provide you with more details.