Teak
Tectona grandis • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Generally straight to slightly wavy or interlocked; flat-sawn sample shown with cathedral-like growth rings and oily texture.
Color Description
Heartwood is a golden brown or medium brown, darkening with age. Sapwood is a pale yellowish white. Often features dark streaks and a duller luster due to high oil content.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot, fungi, and termites. Often considered the benchmark for decay resistance in outdoor use.
Common Uses
Ship and boatbuilding (decking), outdoor furniture, high-end exterior joinery, flooring, veneer, and carving.
Geographic Origin
Native to Southern Asia (India, Myanmar, Thailand); widely grown in plantations across tropical regions in Africa and Latin America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$25.00 to $45.00 per board foot, depending on grain quality (FEQ) and origin.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut or recently maufactured; the bright golden hue and presence of fresh sawdust suggest the wood has not yet undergone significant UV oxidation or graying.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices but on the IUCN Red List as Endangered (wild populations); plantation-grown FSC certified Teak is widely available.
Workability
Easy to work with tools, though the high silica content is notorious for dulling blade edges quickly. Glues well only after wiping with a solvent to remove surface oils.
Notable Features
Distinctive leather-like odor when freshly cut; heavy natural oil content; extreme weather resistance and stability; high silica content.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (Teak Oil) are preferred to enhance natural color; if using lacquer or poly, wipe surface with acetone first to remove natural oils.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of golden-brown color, characteristic ring grain structure, waxy/oily surface feel, and the context of the sawdust is highly indicative of Tectona grandis.