Oils, waxes and lacquers are all choices for treating your teak furniture, although many owners prefer to leave the wood in its natural state. RELATED LINKS Inspiring Outdoor Rooms from HGTV Dream Homes Outdoor Design Ideas

Teak, a tropical hardwood found mainly in Southeast Asia, is extremely popular both for its natural beauty and its ease of maintenance. Teak is a very dense and oily wood, making it extremely weather resistant and perfect for outdoor furniture. So what are the best options for extending the life and beauty of your teak furniture?

German native Oliver Bowien came to America with little more than his talent for design and a strong will to succeed. From his humble beginnings, he eventually built a highly successful furniture design and manufacturing business which includes a factory in Indonesia and a store in Los Angeles. Here Bowien gives his expert advice on caring for teak:

• Treated teak. If your teak furniture has already been treated with some sort of finish, you need do nothing more than clean it when it's dirty and keep it out of harm's way.

• Untreated teak. Many owners of teak furniture elect to leave it in its natural, untreated state. This is because teak weathers so nicely, and actually looks better over time, gaining character and a unique color. But according to Bowien, it's a good idea to begin treating it after five or six years, as the grain can begin to open up and form cracks.

• Oils. Teak oil is one of the best choices for treating raw teakwood, and it can be found in most hardware or home improvement stores. Olive oil also works, but will evaporate faster than teak oil.

• Wax or lacquer. According to Bowien, waxing your teak furniture twice a year can double the life expectancy of the wood. Putting a permanent lacquer finish on is also a popular choice, and will leave your teak items looking beautiful for years to come.