Teak
Tectona grandis • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, though occasionally wavy or interlocked. The sample shows a flat-sawn cathedral figure on the left stile and a straight to slightly irregular grain on the main panel.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically golden or medium brown, darkening with age. Sapwood is pale yellowish-white. This sample shows a weathered, matte tawny brown with visible natural oils and some graying due to light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot, termites, and weathering due to high natural oil and silica content.
Common Uses
Outdoor furniture, boat deck building, exterior joinery, flooring, and high-end cabinetry.
Geographic Origin
Native to Southern Asia (India, Myanmar, Thailand); widely grown on plantations across Africa and Latin America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$30.00 – $50.00 per board foot for high-quality FEQ (First Europe Quality) Burmese teak; plantation teak is lower.
Wood Age Estimate
5–15 years based on the oxidation and light patina; the construction suggests modern mass-produced furniture rather than antique joinery.
Sustainability Status
Natural-growth Teak from Myanmar is restricted/CITIES-listed in some regions; plantation-grown teak is widely available and FSC certified.
Workability
Generally easy to work but high silica content will dull cutting edges rapidly. Glues and finishes can be difficult due to natural oils; surface wiping with solvent is often required.
Notable Features
Distinctive leather-like scent when freshly cut; oily feel to the touch; high silica content and high dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Teak oil or Danish oil to maintain the natural look. For outdoor use, it can be left unfinished to weather to a silver-gray. High-solids polyurethane requires surface degreasing first.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the open-pore vessel structure, oily matte luster, 'wheat' color palette, and specific cathedral graining is characteristic of Tectona grandis.