Teak
Tectona grandis • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly wavy; characterized by distinct, dark, uniform growth rings. It has a coarse, uneven texture and a naturally oily feel.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically a golden or medium brown, darkening with age. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white. It possesses a dull luster and can develop a silver-gray patina if left unfinished outdoors.
Hardness Rating
1070 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptionally resistant to rot, termites, and fungal decay. It is one of the most weather-resistant woods in the world due to high natural oil content.
Common Uses
Ship and boat building (especially decks), outdoor furniture, high-end indoor furniture, exterior construction, veneer, and flooring.
Geographic Origin
Native to Southern Asia (India, Myanmar, Thailand); widely grown on plantations throughout tropical regions in Africa and Latin America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$30.00 - $50.00 per board foot, depending on grain quality and regional availability.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears to be modern, kiln-dried plantation stock based on the uniform growth rings and lack of deep oxidation or heavy patina.
Sustainability Status
Large-scale plantation lumber is widely available; however, old-growth Teak is increasingly rare and subject to export bans in certain countries. Not currently listed on CITES appendices.
Workability
Generally easy to work, but has a high silica content which can dull cutting edges rapidly. It glues and finishes well, though natural oils can occasionally interfere with some finishes.
Notable Features
Distinctive leather-like scent when freshly cut; heavy natural oils make it waterproof and give it a unique tactile greasiness; very dimensionally stable.
Finish Recommendations
Teak oil or Danish oil are recommended to enhance natural colors. If used outdoors, it can be left unfinished or treated with a UV-inhibiting sealer.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the golden-brown color, the specific dark vertical 'streaking' of the growth rings, and the visible oily pore structure is diagnostic of Tectona grandis.