South Africa's climate is generous, fierce, and entirely unlike Europe's. Outdoor furniture designed for grey English gardens simply doesn't survive here — and mass-produced outdoor ranges rarely account for what Johannesburg's altitude and summer storms actually demand.
Our outdoor range is engineered from the ground up for local conditions. This means different material choices, different joint construction, different finishing systems — and a result that looks as considered five years from delivery as it does on day one.
Understanding the Johannesburg Environment
The Highveld sits at 1,750 metres above sea level. UV radiation here is significantly more intense than at sea level — surfaces bleach faster, plastics become brittle faster, and any finish that isn't UV-stabilised will fail within two summers. The city also experiences dramatic diurnal temperature swings, particularly in winter, and intense summer thunderstorms that can deliver 50mm of rain in under an hour.
This combination — intense UV, rapid temperature change, and sudden heavy moisture — is the environment your outdoor furniture must survive in. We design for it specifically.
"Furniture that looks good in the showroom but looks tired after one Highveld summer was never built for South Africa."
Timber Selection for Outdoor Use
Saligna (Blue Gum)
Our primary outdoor timber. High density makes it naturally resistant to surface moisture, and its oil content means it weathers gracefully rather than degrading. Left to weather naturally, it develops a beautiful silver-grey patina. Sealed and oiled, it holds its warm tone for years. Sustainably grown in South African commercial forests.
Teak
For clients who want maximum weather resistance and are willing to invest accordingly, teak is the global standard for outdoor furniture. Its natural silica content repels moisture and insects. We source responsibly certified teak and offer it as an upgrade option on all outdoor pieces.
Powder-Coated Steel Frames
Where structural strength is needed in a slim profile, we use powder-coated steel. The coating is applied electrostatically and oven-cured — far more durable than standard paint. We use a specific outdoor-grade powder coat rated for UV resistance to avoid the chalking and fading that affects cheaper metal outdoor furniture.
Construction Details That Matter Outdoors
- Joinery: All joints are mortise-and-tenon or dowelled, then glued with waterproof exterior-grade adhesive. We don't use staples or inferior fasteners in any structural joint.
- Fasteners: All screws and fixings are stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanised. Standard steel screws rust, stain the timber, and eventually fail in outdoor conditions.
- Cushion fabrics: Where cushions are part of the brief, we use only outdoor-rated fabrics — solution-dyed acrylic (Sunbrella and equivalent) that resists UV fading, mould, and moisture absorption.
- Drainage: Flat surfaces like table tops have subtle drainage slopes and open joints to prevent water pooling after rain.
Re-oil timber outdoor pieces at the start of summer (October) and again at the start of autumn (March). Cover or store cushions during the rainy season if they're not in daily use. An annual clean with a mild wood soap keeps surfaces looking fresh and prevents tannin staining on light-coloured surfaces beneath.
How We Approach an Outdoor Brief
Outdoor commissions often involve specific orientation challenges — a north-facing stoep that bakes all afternoon, a west-facing terrace that gets the full force of late afternoon sun. We visit the space before designing, understand the specific exposures, and make material and finish recommendations accordingly.
The result is outdoor furniture that doesn't just furnish your space — it becomes part of your garden, your stoep, your lifestyle. Still looking right when everything around it has been replaced twice.
