The type of chair one chooses when buying teak garden furniture can, to many, be an afterthought.
In our opinion, it shouldn’t be. Why? Teak chairs that stack will need much less space than armchairs do, and, of course, stacking chairs can lean against a wall when not in use.
The decision on which teak chair to choose should go hand in hand with your choice of teak dining sets.
This guide explains the numbers in greater detail and when each different type of teak chair makes sense in a real garden.
| Chair type | Example Weight (per chair) | Example Storage footprint (6 chairs) | Best for |
| Stacking | 10KG | 62cm wide x 55cm deep x ~ 92cm tall x 2 (assuming six chairs, two stacks of three) | Frequent entertaining, shed/garage storage available |
| Folding | 7KG | 8-10cm (stacked individually against a wall) | Balconies, compact patios, and infrequent use |
| Armchair | 20KG | Full footprint per chair | Permanent dining corners, left outdoors year-round |
Stacking Teak Garden Chairs
Teak stacking chairs come with arms and a back that allows the rear legs to slot between the front legs of the chair above. We’d recommend not stacking more than four chairs together, as it can put too much strain on the bottom chair. Teak chairs are heavier than those made from lower-quality woods, so safety should always be a consideration. Most teak dining chairs have an incline on the seat so they will stack neatly and safely.
Storage Dimensions for Stacking Chairs
As above, we wouldn’t recommend stacking teak chairs more than four high. So, assuming that you intend to buy six chairs, you would need two stacks of three. Therefore, the dimensions of the storage area you will need to consider are two stacks of 62cm wide x 55cm deep x 92cm tall x 2. The key thing to consider is that two stacks of three chairs will take up the footprint of one chair, plus a few more centimetres. Have a look at our teak stacking chairs buying guide if you have more questions.
Best Garden Sizes and Situations for Stacking Chairs
In our experience, a teak stacking chair set would is ideal for a space that is used at least once a week. The advantage of buying stacking teak chairs is lost if the chairs are left out permanently.
Teak stacking chairs are perfect for storage in a shed or garage. Alternatively, a covered storage area would be ideal if the entertainment area is a few meters away. Stacking teak chairs are perfect for al fresco dining areas where the number of guests varies.
Folding Teak Garden Chairs
What They Are and How They Fold
Folding chairs have a hinged frame and front and rear legs that are connected by a pivot that allows the chair to collapse flat. A typical teak folding chair will fold from 61cm (open) to 8-10cm (closed). The folding mechanism involves the use of a metal pin or bolt, which allows the chair to pivot from an open to a closed position. This is the only metal component in an otherwise 100% teak chair.
Storage Dimensions for Folding Chairs
Storing folding teak dining chairs is easy. Their fold-away nature is perfect for occasional use, and the portability of the teak design gives the owner of these chairs the freedom of choice when it comes to storing them. Folding teak chairs could be stored next to a wall (inside or outside). When it comes to storage, we have assumed that these chairs lean and don’t stack, so you would just need to consider the depth of the chair, folded (8-10cm).
Best Garden Sizes and Situations for Folding Chairs
Because teak garden chairs fold, they are perfect for enclosed balconies, small patios or anywhere where space is a little more constricted. Many of our customers, for instance, choose a folding chair for a second home or for a garden that is used occasionally. Practically, they can be stored anywhere where there is a convenient wall or fence.
Teak Armchairs (Fixed Frame)
A teak armchair is built for permanence rather than flexibility. Unlike folding or stacking chairs, it has a fixed frame with full armrests, giving it a more substantial feel around the table. Those armrests are not simply decorative. They provide proper support during longer lunches and evening meals, while also making it easier to sit down and stand up comfortably.
Most teak armchairs are designed to remain outdoors year-round rather than being moved or stored away regularly. The compromise is a simple one: you sacrifice portability in favour of comfort, stability and a more enduring garden setting.
Weight and Storage for Teak Armchairs
Teak armchairs have a more generous footprint than a folding or stacking chair; a typical measurement could look like approximately 58cm wide, 78cm deep and 85cm high, with a seat height of 45cm. As a substantial fixed-frame teak armchair, it is likely to weigh around 20kg and, as such, is not really designed to be moved frequently. That extra weight comes from the broader frame, full armrests and thicker top rail, all of which add comfort and presence.
Teak armchairs are not designed to fold, stack or be moved around regularly. Each chair keeps its full footprint, so a set of six needs space for six individual chairs.
In practical terms, most buyers will leave these outdoors (potentially with weather covers) rather than carrying them in and out of storage. You are choosing comfort, stability and permanence over portability.
Best Garden Sizes and Situations for Teak Armchairs
These chairs are best suited to gardens where the furniture remains in place throughout the season, such as larger patios, terraces and covered outdoor spaces where a more permanent arrangement is preferred.
They work particularly well for households that entertain regularly, particularly when paired with 8-seater teak sets or extending teak garden tables, as the chairs are designed to stay outdoors rather than be carried in and out between uses.
The heavier teak frame also gives them a practical advantage in exposed gardens, where lighter folding or stacking chairs can feel less stable in strong winds.
That said, they are less suited to compact patios or smaller urban gardens where space is limited, and furniture needs to be moved frequently.
Matching Chair Type to Garden Size
The Clearance Rule You Actually Need to Know
- Start by measuring the clear patio area rather than the garden as a whole. What matters is the flat, usable surface where the dining set will actually sit and where chairs can be moved comfortably.
- Next, account for the table itself. Typical 6-seater teak sets measure around 160–180cm long by 90cm wide, so the table alone occupies approximately 1.4–1.6 square metres before chairs are added.
- The most important consideration is the surrounding clearance space. As a general rule, allow between 120cm and 135cm from the edge of the table to the nearest wall, fence or planting border. This provides enough room to pull chairs out properly while still leaving space to walk behind seated guests.
- At around 120cm, the layout remains practical. Closer to 135cm feels noticeably more comfortable for everyday use and entertaining. Anything below 100cm usually means the dining set is too large for the available space, particularly at the ends of the table where access becomes restricted.
FAQs
What is the difference between stacking and folding teak garden chairs?
Stacking chairs are designed to nest vertically, with each chair sitting neatly on top of the next. A full set of two sets of three will typically require only marginally more floor space than two single chairs, making them particularly practical for seasonal storage.
Folding chairs store differently. Rather than stacking, they collapse flat and can be leaned against a wall or stored in a narrow gap. Both styles are more space-efficient than fixed armchairs, although the choice often comes down to how and where the chairs will be stored.
How heavy are teak garden chairs?
The weight varies depending on the style of chair and the amount of timber used in the frame.
Folding teak chairs are usually the lightest, making them easier to carry and move around the garden. Stacking chairs tend to feel slightly more substantial, while fixed teak armchairs are considerably heavier due to their broader frames and full armrests.
For most buyers, the practical consideration is straightforward: lighter chairs are easier to store and reposition, while heavier chairs feel more stable and permanent once in place.
Can teak garden chairs be left outside all year in the UK?
Yes. Quality teak garden furniture is designed to remain outdoors throughout the year, including during a typical British winter.
Teak contains natural oils that help protect the timber against moisture, frost and changes in temperature without the need for regular treatment. Over time, the surface will gradually weather into the soft silver-grey tone associated with aged teak.
Many owners still choose to use breathable furniture covers during prolonged wet periods, largely to keep the furniture cleaner and reduce surface algae rather than to protect the wood itself.
How do I choose between stacking and armchair teak garden chairs?
The decision usually comes down to whether flexibility or comfort matters more in the space available.
Stacking chairs are better suited to smaller patios or gardens where furniture may need to be moved or stored away regularly. Their ability to nest together makes them easier to manage when space is limited.
Fixed teak armchairs are intended for more permanent dining arrangements. They offer greater comfort during longer meals, feel more substantial around the table and are generally more stable in exposed gardens. The compromise is that they occupy more space and are less practical to move or store.
What size garden do I need for a 6-seater teak dining set?
A typical six-seater rectangular teak dining set requires more surrounding space than many buyers initially expect. While the table itself may measure approximately 170cm by 90cm, the usable dining area must also accommodate chairs being pulled out and people moving comfortably around the table.
As a guide, allow between 120cm and 135cm of clearance from the edge of the table to the nearest wall, fence or planting border. This creates enough space for chairs to slide back properly while still allowing someone to walk behind a seated guest.
In practical terms, a six-seater teak dining set generally works best in a clear area of around 4.2m by 3.2m or larger. Below this, the space can begin to feel restricted, particularly at the ends of the table.
