Frequently Asked Questions

These are our most frequently asked questions we receive from customers. If you don't see an answer to your question, please feel free to contact us.

Outdoor Furniture FAQs

Why Jarrah Outdoor furniture?
West Australian Jarrah Timber is renowned for its good looks and durability and with some simple maintenance will literally last a lifetime, so can be looked on as an investment rather than cheap “hardwood” furniture which will need replacing a few years down the road. Jarrah is also a great choice for indoor furniture with its attractive colours and interesting grain. Jarrah has the added properties of being termite resistant which are a huge benefit in Australia.

We use Kiln dried Australian Jarrah, which only grows in tough Australian conditions, is logged, dried and milled in Western Australia’s south west from sustainably managed forests.

How long does it take to have a setting made for me?

Lead time vary but 3 - 6 weeks is usual. If you have a special event or need something in a hurry - let us know and we will do our best to fit you in.

Can I order just a patio table or do I have to order outdoor chairs too?
You are welcome to order just a table or just the chairs. Or you can order a combination of outdoor chairs and benches which is becoming very popular. Some customers have teamed our tables up with wicker chairs, some have made their own tables but run out of steam when it comes to making their garden chairs. We have even made taller outdoor chairs and Jarrah bar stools to suit nonstandard tables!

Can your make bigger outdoor chairs – Auntie Mo is larger than life and coming to stay?
Yes we can make chairs for bigger people, or smaller people too for that matter. We have often make two bigger “carver” or more laid back Easy chairs which match the rest of the set, specifically for special family members. We understand that it is important for everyone to be comfortable – and we make kids timber outdoor tables , chairs and Jarrah picnic sets too!

Is there a lighter coloured timber which can be made into outdoor or patio furniture?
We have made patio furniture in Australian Wormy Chestnut and Tassie Oak which give a lighter colour pallet for outdoor furniture which will be in more protected outdoor spaces. We have also used American White Oak and Western Red Cedar to give a variety of colours for custom made outdoor furniture.

How often should I oil our outdoor Jarrah furniture?
As every situation is different, and every season is different the need to oil your outdoor Jarrah furniture will vary. Out in the open we suggest oiling your furniture twice a year using Feast Watson Traditional Timber Oil. If your furniture is under a cover probably oil once a year. If your timber outdoor furniture starts’ looking dry or develops tiny cracks, called checking, give it another coat of oil – it will reward you by staying smooth and feeling good! Checking is usually just on the surface and does not affect the strength of your outdoor timber furniture.

From experience we have found that a patina builds with each oiling and after a couple of years the furniture won’t need oiling as often.

Which oil should I use?
At LSJ we use FEAST WATSON TADITIONAL TIMBER OIL [natural] on the outdoor Jarrah Furniture we make. We have an oil bath so can give the timber parts a soaking to start with, then after air drying and assembly we re-oil the Outdoor furniture. From experience we have found that a patina builds with each oiling and after a couple of years the furniture won’t need oiling as often.

Feast Watson Traditional Timber oil is available from hardware stores which stock Cabot’s products and most Bunnings stores.

How should I apply the Oil?
Firstly a cheap disposable plastic drop sheet, available for a few dollars at your hardware store, will save you getting any drips get onto your floor.

We suggest applying the oil to your outdoor furniture with a lint free cloth – allow the oil to soak in to the timber for about half an hour, then wipe off any excess. Alternatively you can apply the oil with a paint brush to get into the joints and between the slats. A cheap paint brush which can be discarded after use will do the job. Once again it is worth wiping off any excess oil which has not been absorbed by the timber as this will leave a better finish.

To Oil chairs – place an old towel on the table and turn the chair over so it rests on the chair arms on the table top. Your chair is now at a good height so you can oil most of the chair easily without bending. When you have oiled all available surfaces turn the chair over and finish off the top surfaces. EASY AS!!

If you follow these directions your outdoor furniture will be dry in about 4 – 6 hours!

CAUTION: DON’T LEAVE ANY OILY CLOTHS FOLDED OR SCRUNCHED UP – they can heat up and self-ignite. Spread any oiling cloths out to dry completely, and then discard in the bin.

My Granddad used linseed oil and turps to oil timber furniture outdoors – can I do the same?
Your Granddad was doing the right thing but technology has progressed since your Granddads time – what he was doing was protecting the timber but as linseed oil dries very slowly it could be days before you can use your outdoor furniture again. The down side of the slow drying is it can leave sticky patches and it attracts dust and darkens the timber so you lose sight of the beautiful colour and grain in the timber. We suggest using Feast Watson Traditional Timber oil which has a UV protector included – we have been using this formulation for over 10 years.

Can you make cushions for my bench?
We make cushions to fit our furniture using a range of outdoor and alfresco fabrics which are Mould, Mildew and UV protected. All cushions come with zips and ties where necessary, and we can fit extra ties if you are in a very windy location. We don’t pipe the cushions but can send them out if you need them to have piped edges.

What care and maintenance will keep my outdoor furniture at its best?
When your furniture is new and every couple of years it is worth checking that the nuts and bolts are tight. The nuts and bolts will “seat” into the timber when new so we advise to check and tighten the nuts and bolts with in the first couple of months. Your timber furniture will need oiling. Keeping your furniture in good condition will pre-empt any need to sand your furniture if it becomes rough from neglect – see information on oiling above.

Where does Australian Wormy Chestnut come from?
Australian Wormy Chestnut, like Jarrah, is from the eucalyptus family- UCALYPTUS FASTIGATA– the timber we use comes from Gippsland in Victoria and is a blonde /pale brown with pink tones. AWC is native the south east of NSW and Victoria. Like Jarrah it has attractive grain as well as some gum vein and “wormy marks” within the grain [insert Picture here].

We have used this durable timber for furniture both for custom made indoor furniture and for protected outdoor furniture.

I live right on the coast – will the screws rust?
We use anodized screws and brass plated connector bolts as standard, as they are slightly stronger than stainless steel. However we use stainless steel chains, eyebolts and quick clips on our swings and you can request stainless screws on your furniture. As outdoor wooden furniture is traditionally treated with maintenance oiling this also helps to protect the hardware.

Why do you use KILN DRIED timber when green timber is cheaper?
We use Kiln Dried timber for all our handmade custom indoor furniture as well as for our outdoor or patio furniture as it minimizes any chance of shrinkage, twisting, splitting and warping – green timber has higher moisture content and will shrink when it dries out.

We firmly believe Kiln dried timber is the obvious choice for outdoor wooden furniture, as Australian conditions are harsh with long dry periods of very low humidity and wood being a natural product will gain and lose moisture.

Kiln dried Jarrah is also far less likely to stain your pavers which green timber or Kwila and some imported hardwoods may do.

We feel it is a false economy to use cheaper green timber and we would not be confident that the furniture would stand the test of time. We probably spend as much on the purchasing timber as you may pay for a complete set made from green timber BUT you will probably spend hours tightening up the hardware, fixing splits and sanding back a set made with green timber.

Our dog / puppy has chewed the legs of my outdoor chair, can you replace it?
Yes we can replace the chewed part – if your chair was from our standard range we can supply another one from stock. If your chair was customized it is best to bring the chair or part in and we will make a replacement. We have even made Jarrah and Rope Dog Toys for persistent pets – the first one was made to a customer’s specs and solved her problem as the dog had its own Jarrah Toy to chew on and left the chairs alone.

Can you send outdoor timber furniture to the eastern states?
Yes we can send most outdoor furniture Australia wide – we flat pack in semi knockdown form for easy shipping and quick simple assembly. We have two methods of shipping, with a general freight company to a business address or transport depot close to you if you can arrange collection at your end or with Pack and Send to your door. If you provide your post code we can get quotes for you.

How long does it take to have an outdoor timber setting made?
Lead times vary but we aim to have your order made in 4-6 weeks. If you have a special date or deadline we will do our best to accommodate you. If you have an urgent need, say for a memorial bench, let us know and we will do our best to fit you in. Lead times do increase before Christmas so if you are after a new outdoor timber setting for Christmas please order early.

Can you deliver my outdoor Jarrah furniture assembled?
If you live in the Perth Metro area we can deliver your furniture assembled – if you are in “down south” in the Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River area we have a transporter, Q2 Transport, who can deliver ready assembled. If you live in country WA you may also have a local company who can collect from our workshop.

Do you have an outlet in NSW, Vic, SA, and QLD for your outdoor and patio furniture?
Unfortunately we don’t have any outlets in the Eastern States but we do ship a lot of Jarrah furniture to the Eastern States. Some of our customers in the Eastern states have had a friend or family member in Perth stop by our workshop to see us.

Do you offer a warranty on your outdoor and patio furniture?
We offer a three year workmanship warranty.

Do you need a deposit to start work on my swing set?
We do ask for a deposit as we have been left with custom made orders which don’t suit everyone. We usually ask for approximately 50% deposit and the balance on completion. We have mobile EFTPOS facilities for payment on delivery for Perth orders but ask for payment in full before shipping outside Perth. We accept EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard or direct deposit to our account.

I have been offered imported Jarrah /” Pacific Jarrah” /” Jarrah” coloured hardwood outdoor furniture, is it as strong as Western Australian Jarrah?
Our understanding is that real Jarrah, Eucalyptus Marginata, only grows in the South West of Western Australia. Jarrah coloured outdoor furniture may be made from the cheapest hardwood available which has been stained to look like Jarrah and will not have Jarrah’s unique strength and durability. We have never seen “Pacific Jarrah” but understand that this is a marketing name to given to a South American timber to give the impression that the timber being offered is Jarrah with all its great properties.

We would like a memorial bench made – can you have it engraved for us?
Yes we get an engraved plaque made for you and fixed to the furniture or have the timber engraved either by a laser engraver or routered engraving.

Can we have our outdoor furniture varnished?
Yes you could and some manufacturers do vanish outdoor furniture – our experience is that in the long term it is not such a great idea as varnishes will yellow and craze outdoors, necessitating having to sand back the whole piece before reapplying at least three coats of varnish, and to get a good finish you would need to fine sand again between each coat. A good varnish may last for about 5 years.

Indoor Furniture FAQs

Do you only make custom furniture in Jarrah?
Although we predominantly work in Jarrah we can hand make indoor furniture in most West Australian hardwood such as Marri and other Australian Hardwoods and we can get some imported hardwoods like American white Oak.

How is your indoor furniture finished?
Our Customers have the choice of our in-house Traditional old fashioned natural Tung oil and beeswax finish or we will send their project out to be professionally sprayed with polyurethane lacquer – either single pack or two pack – depending on the piece. Jarrah and Marri Bar Tops and dining tables often are finished with a two pack.

Our traditional oil finish is silky and easy to repair if scratched so ideal for furniture like bar stools which can be scratched by the stud on denims or keys in back pocket.

Do you stock Jarrah and Marri entertainment units, dining tables, bookcases?
We don’t stock furniture ready for sale as each piece is made to measure. We do have examples of our work in a small display area/ showroom at the workshop and you are welcome to browse our website or visit us at the workshop to discuss your ideas and requirements.

How long does it take to have a Solid timber table made?
Lead times vary but we aim to have your custom indoor furniture order made in 6-8 weeks. If you have a special date or deadline we will do our best to accommodate you. If you have an urgent order please let us know and we will do our best to fit you in. Lead times do increase before Christmas so if you want something ready for Christmas please order early.

Can you make me solid timber furniture with solid timber dovetailed drawers – I don’t want any veneers on MDF?
We prefer to work in solid timber throughout, right through to drawer floors and cupboard backs but understand that each customer has their own preferences, so will work with you to achieve your aims. All our drawers are dovetailed.

Can you hand make or custom make my furniture in Marri, Chestnut or Tassie Oak?
Yes we can make furniture in most Australian hardwoods - in addition we can get some imported timbers such as American White Oak and Burmese Teak.

Can you deliver our custom made furniture?
If you live in the Perth Metro area we can deliver your furniture to your home – if you are “down south” in the Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River area we have a transporter, Q2 Transport, who can deliver to you. If you live in WA you may also have a local company who can collect from our workshop. We have sent furniture with a furniture removals company to the Eastern States.

I have English oak furniture. Can you make solid timber furniture to match my existing furniture?
We can’t get English Oak, but have made furniture in American White Oak as the grain in the two timbers is very similar. We have then sent the furniture out to a professional polisher to colour match it to your existing furniture. Our polisher will need a sample from your existing furniture, perhaps a drawer, to be able to match the colour.

We have a small alcove in our living room; can you custom make some solid timber bookshelves to fit the alcove?
Yes we can make bookshelves to your specifications and can provide the screws / supports needed but we don’t do installations like drilling into your walls – If you are not confident doing this your local handyman should be able to help.

I can’t find a timber entertainment unit to fit my space. The ready-made hardwood entertainment units are all standard lengths – can you make an entertainment unit that is 1.96m long?
Yes we would be happy to make you a unit to fit your space. If you can tell us what you would like it to look like and how many drawers, doors, shelves etc you need, we can work with you, sketch your ideas and quote for your unit.

Commercial Outdoor Furniture FAQs:

We need a number of Picnic sets for our remote miner’s camp – do you offer a bulk discount? Can you arrange delivery to a transport depot for us?
Yes we do offer a bulk order discount. Yes we can arrange delivery of your order, flat packed and strapped to a pallet to a transport depot in the Perth Metro area for onward shipping

Can you send outdoor timber furniture to remote areas?
Yes we can send most outdoor furniture Australia wide – we flat pack in semi knockdown form for easy shipping and quick simple assembly. We can flat pack onto pallets and arrange delivery to a Perth Metro transport depot of your choice for onward shipping.

We use Kiln dried Australian Jarrah, which only grows in tough Australian conditions, is logged, dried and milled in Western Australia’s south west from sustainably managed forests.

Do you need a deposit to start work on my order?
We do ask for a deposit prior to starting on your order. We usually ask for approximately 50% deposit and the balance on completion/prior to delivery.

Can I order outdoor chairs separately or must I order complete settings?
You are welcome to order just tables or just chairs or benches or bar stools.

From experience we have found that a patina builds with each oiling and after a couple of years the furniture won’t need oiling as often.

Feast Watson Traditional Timber oil is available from hardware stores which stock Cabot’s products and most Bunnings stores.

How should I apply the Oil?
Firstly a cheap disposable plastic drop sheet, available for a few dollars at your hardware store, will save you getting any drips get onto your floor.

If you follow these directions your outdoor furniture will be dry in about 4 – 6 hours!

CAUTION: DON’T LEAVE ANY OILY CLOTHS FOLDED OR SCRUNCHED UP – they can heat up and self-ignite. Spread any oiling cloths out to dry completely, and then discard in the bin.

Do you offer a warranty on your outdoor and patio furniture?

We offer a three year workmanship warranty.