Picnic Table Warranty & Guarantee — Auscraft Furniture
Auscraft Furniture — Picnic Table Warranty & Guarantee
Every Auscraft picnic table is built from Australian hardwood grown and milled in Australia, and we stand behind the structural quality of every piece we make. This page outlines what our warranty covers, what falls outside its scope, and what maintenance we require to keep coverage valid.
Structural Guarantee
All Auscraft picnic tables carry a structural guarantee against manufacturing defects in joinery, hardware and assembly. If a joint fails, a tenon pulls free, or hardware corrodes prematurely under normal use conditions, we will repair or replace the affected component at no cost.
- Joinery: Mortise-and-tenon and bolt connections — covered against defect for the life of the table under normal use
- Hardware: Galvanised bolts, brackets and fixings covered against corrosion failure for 5 years from delivery
- Structural timber: No coverage for natural timber movement (expansion, contraction, surface checking) — these are properties of hardwood, not defects
Timber Durability — Expected Lifespan
Auscraft uses only AS 5604 Class 1 and Class 2 rated timbers. These ratings represent laboratory-tested above-ground and in-ground durability, independent of any surface treatment:
- Spotted Gum (Class 1): 30–40 years above-ground lifespan in Australian outdoor conditions
- Ironbark (Class 1): 40+ years above-ground — the most durable commercially available Australian hardwood
- Merbau (Class 2): 25–40 years above-ground, depending on exposure and maintenance regime
These figures assume the table is installed above-ground level and is not permanently submerged or in continuous ground contact. For in-ground post applications, contact us for a separate specification.
Want the full timber comparison? See our timber species guide or request a quote with your preferred species.
What Is Covered
- Structural failure of joinery under normal use loading
- Hardware corrosion failure within 5 years of delivery
- Dimensional defects (table not built to agreed specification) — reported within 14 days of delivery
- Assembly errors attributable to Auscraft (for tables delivered with assembly included)
What Is Not Covered
The following are normal characteristics of hardwood outdoor furniture and are not covered under warranty:
- Natural weathering and greying: All hardwood species will silver-grey over time when left untreated outdoors. This is not deterioration — it is the natural oxidation of surface lignin. Structural integrity is unaffected.
- Tannin bleed (Merbau): Merbau releases natural tannins when first exposed to rain. This darkens surrounding surfaces temporarily. It reduces with time and does not indicate a defect.
- Surface checking (fine cracks): Small surface checks are normal in any solid hardwood exposed to seasonal moisture and temperature variation. Checks that do not penetrate through the cross-section of a member are cosmetic only.
- Colour variation: Each piece of timber is unique. Colour variation between boards or between tables from different production runs is inherent to natural materials.
- Damage from misuse: Overloading beyond rated capacity, impact damage, chemical exposure or modification of the original structure voids structural coverage.
Maintenance Requirements to Keep Warranty Valid
Auscraft's structural guarantee remains in full effect regardless of surface maintenance. However, to maintain timber in its best condition and preserve the aesthetic finish, we recommend:
- Annual oiling: Apply a penetrating hardwood oil (e.g. Cutek Extreme or equivalent) once per year before the summer season. This reduces surface checking and maintains colour depth — particularly for Merbau and Spotted Gum.
- Periodic bolt check: Inspect all bolts annually and re-torque as needed. Timber movement over the first 12–18 months can cause minor settling — a bolt check keeps joinery tight.
- Avoid standing water: Tables are designed for outdoor use but should not be installed in permanent standing water or against surfaces that trap moisture against the timber long-term.
For full care instructions, see our picnic table maintenance guide.
Making a Warranty Claim
Contact us at auscraftfurniture.com.au/pages/contact with your order number, a description of the issue and photos of the affected area. We aim to respond within 2 business days and resolve valid claims within 14 business days of assessment.
