RH Raimund Haag – founder, who has been working with wood for over 25 years
The honest answer: our tables are made for indoor use. They can be used outdoors, but only under certain conditions – and you should know what they are before, not after.
Outdoors, wood swings several times a day from very high humidity (rain, dew) to very low (summer sun). These cycles make it swell and shrink far more than indoors. Over time cracks appear, and the oil finish breaks down in months rather than years.
A covered terrace, sheltered from direct rain and the midday sun. A cover whenever it's not in use. Refresh the finish two or three times a year instead of once. And bring it indoors over the winter, if you have the space.
For permanent outdoor use, there are woods that behave much better – thermally modified oak, robinia, tropical hardwoods – as well as special exterior finishes. If that's what you're looking for, tell us: we make to measure and will recommend the right material, even if it isn't one you'll find in the showroom.
And if you've fallen in love with a particular slab and want to put it on the terrace, we'll tell you honestly what to expect two years down the line.
