Teak

Tectona grandis • Exotic/Tropical

Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture and a slightly oily feel; occasionally wavy or interlocked in some boards.

Heartwood is typically a golden or medium brown, darkening with age. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white. It often shows a dull luster.

1,070 lbf (Medium)

Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot, termites, and weathering due to high natural oil content.

Common Uses

Ship and boatbuilding (decking), exterior construction, high-end furniture, flooring, and veneer.

Native to Southern Asia (India, Myanmar, Thailand); widely grown on plantations in Africa and Latin America.

$30.00 - $50.00 per board foot depending on source and quality.

Freshly milled or surfaced sample, likely less than 1 year since final processing, showing minimal oxidation.

Not CITES listed but on the IUCN Red List as Endangered (native populations); FSC certified plantation teak is widely available.

Generally easy to work but high silica content dulls cutting edges rapidly. Glues well despite natural oils if surfaces are prepared with solvent.

Distinctive leather-like scent when freshly cut. Heavy natural oils make it the premier choice for marine environments.

Teak oil or tung oil to maintain natural look; epoxies or specialized primers are required if using film-building finishes like varnish.

High; the golden-brown color, distinct coarse grain with open pores, and the context of being placed on a weathered deck strongly indicate Teak.

Identified on 7/4/2026