What Is Teak?

An Overview Of The Popular Wood, Its Origins, And Its Uses

In this post we’re gonna talk teak – what’s the word on the wood! We’ll take a look at where it grows, its characteristics and uses, and why some people might prefer it in their home and furniture choices.

What Is It? Where Does It Grow?

Teak wood is a type of (you guessed it) wood that comes from the Tectona Grandis species of tree, generally found in South and Southeast Asia. Classified as a hardwood which is due to the type of tree that it comes from, usually featuring broad leaves and characteristic vessels in the wood which channel moisture and nutrients throughout the tree.

Most of the indigenous forests are concentrated in the following four countries: Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and India, while planted teak forests and plantations have risen substantially in number in places like Indonesia, Africa and South/Central America.

Southeast Asia generally provides the proper conditions for growing – a tropical climate that features distinct wet and dry seasons. When grown naturally, you can find teak trees in rainforests and deciduous forests at heights of up to 30 meters. When grown in a plantation, it’s important that the location features a minimum temperature of around 13 degrees Celsius, very little flooding, and the aforementioned dry season.

The harvesting of naturally-occurring forests has come under restriction in some countries, as demand significantly outstrips supply, which has lead to a dwindling of natural forests.

Characteristics Of Teak Wood

Natural Oils:

Teak wood is valued for the natural oils and silica it contains. The main natural oil is the teak oil itself, which is produced during its stage as a Tectona Grandis tree and serves as a protective agent for the wood, helping to resist moisture, decay, and insect infestation. This oil also gives the wood its characteristic golden-brown color. Silica, in the context of wood, refers to silicon dioxide (SiO2), a compound commonly found in nature. Silica is a key component of teak wood and contributes to some of its unique properties. Its presence in the cell walls of the wood contributes to the wood’s hardness, abrasion resistance, and density.

Durability:

If a wood is durable, it means that you can use it in a wider variety of applications, particularly more demanding ones such as outdoor furniture. Outside, furniture is more exposed to the elements, the fluctuations in temperature and weather that lead to increased wear, tear, and degradation. Teak is prized as one of the more durable and thus adaptable of woods.

Density:

Teak is considered to be one of the denser hardwoods, which lends it strength and makes it durable. There’s another side to this however, as the more dense a wood is, the harder it is to work with using traditional woodworking tools, and making a hand-crafted artisanal piece more difficult if not prohibitively so. Teak tends to provide a nice balance between the two needs.

Low Maintenance:

There is a whole host of things an owner should do to maintain wood, from cleaning to sealing to oiling to covering. Teak is relatively straightforward to deal with compared to other types. A regular gentle dust or rub, avoiding any harsh cleaning products and the infrequent gentle scrub is likely most of what you’ll need to do. Oils can be applied to preserve the original color or sealants for extra protection, but they are usually at the choice of the owner and not a requirement. Less maintenance means better looking for longer without the need to replace it. Indoors? Great. Outdoors? No problem. Rainstorm, no need to scuttle outside to cover.

Aesthetic Appeal:

Teak wood has a distinctive appearance that evolves over time, and is generally considered on of the more attractive woods. When freshly cut, it generally has a golden to medium brown color with dark markings and a straight grain. Grain is essentially how the wood fibers are arranged and straight is generally the strongest and most predictable visually and to work with. You might find an interlocked grain (fibers not all running the same direction) but it’s rare.

You might find some darker markings or streaks in the wood, which are generally considered to be a positive trait and can make the wood visually distinct. The texture tends to be fine and smooth, qualities that are generally desired in furniture and woodworking applications. The golden-brown color, with time, ages and generally takes on a patina of silver and gray. Rather than being considered ruined, often it’s quite appreciated, but aging can be prevented with the application of oil.

There’s also a certain degree of natural variation in appearance that can depend on the region, the current growing conditions, or even the specific tree that the wood was harvested from.

What Is Teak Used For?

Teak is a big wood in the furniture industry for the characteristics I outlined above. The natural resistances make it a common choice for outdoor furniture such as patio set, benches, tables, and chairs. If we continue into the garden you might see it in structures like arbors and trellises. As we move indoors, you’ll see it not only furniture but flooring in residential and commercial settings where a little bit of elegance is desired, as well as in cabinetry for your home.

Outside of buildings, teak has a long history of use in the boat industry. It’s a great material for decks and railings since because of the resistance, and since it’s largely non-slip it has an advantage whenever one needs something to take to water. It’s common in the marina for yacht decks, and will manage to survive days left out in the sun and sprayed with fresh or saltwater.

Some less thought-of uses are carving and sculptures. Since the balance of durability, workability, and pleasant aesthetic make it a frequent choice for artisans looking to create elaborate decorative items or other artistic creations. Besides that you might see it in the musical world, guitars and other stringed instruments might employ teak for bodies or various components, since it’s stable and has the required acoustic properties.

In the commercial realm, the strength and durability make it employable in the service of the construction field, for beams, posts and other possible structural elements. A builder might opt for it in situations where the cost isn’t prohibitive balanced against the need for weather and insect resistance. Utility poles might be made from teak, but that’s less common compared to other possible wood choices.

A Note About Sustainability

The sustainability of teak wood can vary depending on the source and the practices involved in its harvesting and production. Traditionally, teak has been harvested from natural forests, which has raised concerns about deforestation and the impact on biodiversity. However, efforts have been made to promote sustainable production through responsible forestry practices and the establishment of plantations.

If you look for wood or furniture that came from wood harvested from a plantation that’s committed to sustainable practices, you’re on the right path. You can also look for wood that carries certification from recognized forestry organizations. Certification programs such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) promote responsible and sustainable forestry practices.

And of course, if the plantation has some sort of communication and cooperation with the community that it’s located in, it’s even better. Plantations can create programs that protect local wildlife, or the rights and homes of the local inhabitants, or provide much welcome socio-economic benefits.

Should You Choose Teak Furniture?

Luckily for you I’ve put together an entire article on this, feel free to take a look and see if it’s right for you.