Collection: Teak

Appearance of Teak Timber

The heartwood of teak is typically golden brown, with occasional grey or red tinges. The sapwood is pale yellow and distinctly separate from the heartwood. Teak’s grain is usually straight, but its ring porosity results in longitudinal streaks and an uneven texture, ranging from coarse to smooth. Freshly cut teak may display variable colour with blotches and streaks, but prolonged exposure to light evens out these variations. Its natural oleoresin gives the timber a greasy feel and imparts a distinctive odour.

Applications of Teak Timber

Teak is perhaps most famously used in boatbuilding, where it serves for decking, rails, bulwarks, hatches, weather doors, and planking due to its excellent durability and resistance to marine conditions. Beyond its marine applications, teak is widely used for cooperage, chemical vats, and pipes. In general construction, teak is suitable for flooring, decking, framing, cladding, fascias, and barge boards. Decorative uses include indoor and outdoor furniture, parquetry, turnery, carving, lining, and paneling.

Workability of Teak Timber

Teak is firm and generally easy to work, though its high silica content can severely blunt cutting edges, necessitating the use of tungsten-carbide tools. While it holds nails and screws well, pre-boring is recommended to prevent splitting. Gluing can be challenging due to the oily nature of the wood, and it is best to bond freshly dressed surfaces. Teak readily accepts paint, stains, varnishes, polishes, and waxes, resulting in a high-quality finish. It is unsuitable for steam bending due to excessive buckling. Care should be taken with sanding dust, as it can irritate the skin.

Durability of Teak Timber

Teak is exceptionally durable, with an above-ground life expectancy exceeding 40 years and an in-ground life expectancy of 15 to 25 years. It is termite-resistant, though untreated sapwood is vulnerable to borer attack. Its resistance to acids and non-corrosive interaction with metal fixings make it ideal for marine and industrial applications.

Origin and Availability of Teak Timber

Teak is native to India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam but is also grown in plantations across Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Africa, Fiji, and the West Indies. While plantation-grown teak is widely available, natural teak has become increasingly scarce due to deforestation and high demand. Buyers are encouraged to source teak from certified sustainable plantations to ensure environmental responsibility.