Teak Maintenance
- How do I care for my teak? What kind of maintenance does it require?
- Regular Cleaning for In-Shower Mats
Teakworks4u recommends that each time you clean your shower/bath, lift your teak mat up; if it appears to need a cleaning, clean it.
For a quick cleaning, apply water with a soft bristle brush (a mild soap solution can be useful as well) and lightly scrub the teak surface as well as the underside. Then rinse the teak surface with clean water and allow it to air dry.
Once your mat starts to look "shabby" clean it well, let it dry and re-apply teak oil (TO-8) When applying teak oil, wipe it off as soon as you have finished oiling it. Do not let the teak oil sit; it will leave a waxy finish.
- Where can I find teak oil?
You can, of course, purchase teak oil from Teakworks4u (Order No. TO-8) but it is also available at places such as Home Depot, Lowes, Menards and marine supply stores.
- Will a teak mat or bench stain my marble or tile floor or walls?
No.
One of the greatest things about teak is that its rich color does not need to be enhanced with dyes or stains. The teak oil we use on our oil finished products does contain some coloring so if you are concerned about staining, test the product before putting it into its permanent place.
To test the product, place it in another location (sink, tub, outside, etc.) and run some water over it. If it looks like some color may be bleeding, it's simply the oil coming off. If you are concerned that it will stain, continue to run it under water until the water is clear. You may also prefer to order our product with the natural finish which does not have any oil applied.
Wood & Finishes
- What does FEQ mean?
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FEQ is defined as First European Quality and requires the wood to have no sapwood, knots or wormholes and be 100% heartwood. Which is what all of our products are made out of.
- What does FSC stand for?
- The FSC (which stands for Forest Stewardship Council) promotes responsible forestry management, and the certification means the wood you plan to buy meets strict environmental and economic standards.
- What is Heartwood?
Heartwood is the non-living center of the tree. It is darker and more dense than the outer layers, called sapwood. We have found that some sapwood doesn't resist mold as well as heartwood so we have chosen to use exclusively 100% heartwood for all of our products.
- Finish Options
- What is the difference between natural and oil finish?
The main difference between natural and oil finish is aesthetic. Because of the extraordinary qualities of our teak and its high natural oil content, it is not necessary to oil finish any of our products.
The oil finish enhances the teak's natural beauty and creates a darker wood tone. Natural finished teak remains in its natural state which some people prefer. Either way, our products are beautiful and will provide a lifetime of stunning natural beauty in your home.
- Can my teak be stained to a specific color? Can teak be stained? How to stain teak.
Teakworks4u does not recommend staining teak. Due to the high oil content, stains do not take uniformly. In addition, the stain will interfere with the teak's natural ability to resist bacteria.
Customs
- Do you do customs?
- Yes, custom orders are available from Teakworks4u
We do many projects of custom size and shape throughout the year. Many of these are simply a standard product built to a different size. Teakworks4u can also create projects to your specifications.
Please use the Request for Quote form or contact us at 866-969-8325 to discuss your custom project.
- What is the difference between a stock mat and a custom mat?
Stock mats are also called standard mats. These are the mats that we found to be the most commonly ordered so we try to keep them on our shelves for quick shipment. If a stock mat isn't on the shelf when you order, it can be made and shipped in 3 to 14 business days.
Custom mats, on the other hand, are unique designs, sizes, shapes ... whatever you can imagine and we can build. Custom mats take longer to produce, taking anywhere from six to eight weeks to shipment.
- Where can I see some examples of your custom work?
Our ability to take your ideas or designs and transform them into one-of-a-kind results is what sets us apart from other manufacturers.
View the gallery of some of the projects we handcraft every day. Each and every aspect of your design will be incorporated into a beautiful work of art, that is not only functional but will enhance any setting for many years, indoor and outdoor.
We are proud to have our work on the sets of movies and television shows, in hotels, fitness centers, health spas, colleges and many other locations. Some of our recent placements include:
- Four Seasons at Walt Disney World
- The Mindy Project TV Show
- The Roommate Motion Picture
- Perfect Pitch 2 Motion Picture
- Airstream Supply Company (Airstream Travel Trailers)
- TA Travel Centers of America
- Plumbing Supply Group
- Bath Crashers TV Show
- CRUNCH Fitness
- Ferguson Kitchen & Bath
- Orange Theory Fitness
- How do I go about ordering a custom product?
- How can I order a custom sized rectangular mat?
The easiest way to get a custom sized rectangular mat is to use our
Custom Mat Calculator. All you need to do is enter the dimensions (length x width), select your wood and you'll see what the mat will cost. If that's the size you want, simply add to cart.
- Can I order a custom bench or an odd shaped mat?
Of course you can. With the more unusual custom designs, we recommend you either call us (866-969-8325) to talk about your idea. You can also Request a Quote online and we'll get back to you within 24 to 48 hours.
- How can I order a custom mat with angles and/or curves?
Angles and curves in a custom teak mat are fairly simple. You will need to create a template from which we will build your mat. Teakworks4u offers three
template kits that include the template material, instructions and helpful hints.
For more information, check out the
Customs page.
- Do I need to do anything special when I'm building my shower curb to accommodate your teak mats?
The main thing you need to do is make sure the shower/shower floor is waterproof. Since the water will drain through the mat, you need to be sure it is completely sealed. You will also want to remember that the minimum mat height is 1-1/4". Be sure the curb is at least that tall. Again, we can make mats taller, but cannot make them any lower.
Timelines
- What is your lead-time for custom mats?
- Most custom teak mats from Teakworks4u are produced in 4 to 6 weeks.
Since each custom product is unique there are no shortcuts, forms or jigs we can use to speed production while maintaining the quality you expect. Each product must be measured out and built to specific sizes, angles and/or curves. Since every item is hand crafted that can take a good amount of time. We want to be sure that you're getting the highest quality product, built to your specifications rather than a lesser quality product built in less time.
We promise, you will love your product once you receive it. Our custom lead times change depending on our work load, so please check this
Design Your Teak Mat link for most up to date lead time!
Product Details
- Bath/Shower Mats
- What is the standard height of your mats?
Teakworks4u mats use a 1/2" top slat (batten) with a 3/4" x 3/4" support (runner) on the bottom, as well as a 1/4" rubber foot, giving a total height of 1-1/2". However our smaller mats (TM-2014 and TM-3214) do not have the feet and will be a 1 1/4" Height. All customs will come with rubber foot so the Custom Mat height is 1 1/2". Mats can be made taller but cannot be made any lower.
- How do you account for the slope in a shower when building mats?
When dealing with the slope of a shower, it all depends on the drain location and size of the shower. Typically in smaller showers (3' x 3'), the slope isn't a factor. The mat will go right over the drain and the water will run under the supports into the drain. There may be a slight "bounce" factor, as we call it, but this won't cause damage to the mat or to the teak itself.
For larger mats, we add adjustable feet so you can level the mat once you receive it.
- How does the water drain off a mat?
All Teakworks4u mats are designed so the water actually drains through the mat. Battens (slats) are spaced 1/8" apart so the water drains through to the shower drain. The supports are also placed to allow maximum access to the shower drain.
- What is an Interlocking Mat?
Some of our custom mats are large and to make installation, maintenance and shipping easier we build them as interlocking mats. Basically they are two or more mats built to look like one when installed. Much like a puzzle piece, there is a male end and a female end that slide together to keep the mat in place. Interlocking mats work best when they fill the entire space and cannot move around.
- Benches
- What's the difference between ADA Wall Mounted Benches and other Wall Mounted Benches?
ADA Wall Mounted Benches meet specific criteria set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA—read on for more about our
ADA requirements).
The key criteria these benches meet are
- Bench must fold up and down without the need to bend over
- Bench must be able to be folded up or down with only one hand
- Benches must measure a minimum distance from the wall to the front edge
Our non-ADA Wall Mount Benches will fold out of the way nicely, but fold down so only the teak is showing. This means the user needs to bend over to lift the product into place. They also fold down via flange on each of the brackets which need to be pressed at the same time to deactivate the locking mechanism.
Both benches are handcrafted using the highest quality teak and stainless steel hardware, they just serve different purposes and meet different needs.
- Are there any installation requirements for your Wall Mount Benches?
Yes. Different types of benches have different installation requirements.
You, of course, want the bench to be firmly installed for your safety. All of our benches suggest being mounted into wall backing (2x12 recommended) or wooden studs. The best thing you can do is talk with your licensed contractor and be sure sure that you are meeting all local building codes.
Shipping, Returns & Guarantee
- Shipping
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How much does it cost to ship a product to me?
To make it easy for everyone, Teakworks4u has implemented a "Saver Shipping" plan. Under this plan, every mat and non-ADA bench ships for a flat fee of $15 each and ADA bench ships for $30.00 each. Our larger ADA benches (36+") ship for $65 each due to being considered over sized by freight companies.
Make sure you choose the "Saver Shipping" option! Orders are shipped using FedEx Saver (a 3-day service) to any zip code in the continental US.
- How long does it take for a product to ship?
Teakworks4u tries to keep inventory on hand to ship the same day you place your order. However, due to the popularity of some of our products, there are times when we need to build a product when it is ordered. When that happens, it takes between 7 and 10 business days for us to build, sand and hand finish the product. Bulk orders (any quantity over 5 of the same item) make take a little longer.
- Does Teakworks4u ship internationally?
Great question! The answer is, Yes and No.
Yes, Teakworks4u can ship most products internationally, however, the cost of shipping is often prohibitive due to size and weight. To get an accurate international shipping amount for Teakworks4u products, we suggest you contact our customer service department by
email or phone (1-507-452-1785).
- Returns
- Do you charge a restocking fee for returns?
If a standard product is returned within 30 days there is no restocking fee. If you need to return a product after the 30 day period, there may be a restocking fee, depending on the number of products and the length of time you've had them.
Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about returning your product and if a restocking fee will be charged.
- Guarantee
All stock Teakworks4u products carry a 30-day money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with your purchase, you can return it, no questions asked, for a full refund within 30 days (less shipping). Products are also guaranteed against manufacturing defects for one full year.
Custom crafted pieces are non-refundable but are guaranteed against manufacturing defects for a full year. If you aren’t satisfied with the fit of your custom piece, Teakworks4u will work with you to correct the problems.
