Teak
Tectona grandis • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with occasional wavy or interlocked patterns; presence of prominent growth rings and large, open pores visible as long vessel lines.
Color Description
Heartwood is a golden brown to medium brown, darkening with age. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white and clearly demarcated. The heartwood has a dull luster and a naturally oily feel.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot, fungal decay, and termites due to high natural oils and silica content.
Common Uses
Outdoor furniture, boat building (especially decking), flooring, cabinetry, joinery, and high-end veneer.
Geographic Origin
Native to Southern Asia (India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos); widely cultivated in plantations across tropical regions in Africa and Latin America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
20.00 to 45.00 USD per board foot depending on source (FEQ - First European Quality) and provenance.
Wood Age Estimate
N/A; the sample appears to be a freshly cut or rough-sawn piece of lumber rather than an antique artifact.
Sustainability Status
IUCN Red List: Endangered; CITES: Not listed, but heavily regulated; FSC certified plantation Teak is widely available and recommended.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, but the high silica content can cause significant dulling of cutting edges. Glues and finishes can be difficult due to natural oils.
Notable Features
Distinctive leather-like odor when freshly worked; high natural oil and silica content; greasy feel to the touch; excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Teak oil or tung oil to maintain natural appearance; if gluing, surfaces should be wiped with a solvent (like acetone) to remove surface oils.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; identified by the characteristic golden-brown heartwood bordering pale sapwood, the oily texture, and the large, ring-porous vessel structure typical of Tectona grandis.