Teak
Tectona grandis • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, open-pore texture; some slight waviness is present suggesting a flat-sawn or slightly rift-sawn orientation.
Color Description
Golden to medium brown heartwood with darker streaks. The wood appears to have a dull luster due to high oil content and will darken to a deeper brown with age and light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptionally resistant to rot, termites, and weathering due to high natural oil and rubber content.
Common Uses
Boat building (decks and trim), outdoor furniture, high-end cabinetry, flooring, and exterior joinery.
Geographic Origin
Native to South and Southeast Asia (India, Myanmar, Thailand); widely grown on plantations in Africa and Latin America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$30.00 to $45.00 per board foot depending on source and quality.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or surfaced based on the lack of grey patio; color suggests a mature heartwood board likely harvested within the last decade.
Sustainability Status
IUCN Red List: Endangered (Wild); Plantation teak is widely available and often FSC certified. CITES: Appendix II for certain regional populations.
Workability
Generally easy to work but high silica content will dull cutting edges rapidly. It glues well if surfaces are wiped with a solvent (like acetone) to remove surface oils first.
Notable Features
Distinctive leather-like scent when freshly cut; oily or greasy feel; high silica content and natural rubber make it weather-proof.
Finish Recommendations
Teak oil or Danish oil is standard to maintain the wood’s natural oils; film-forming finishes like polyurethane can struggle with adhesion unless the surface is properly degreased.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the golden-brown color, the coarse ring-porous grain structure, and the characteristic oily appearance is indicative of Tectona grandis.