Teak
Tectona grandis • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with an uneven coarse texture and a slightly oily feel. The end grain shows distinct growth rings and medium-to-large pores with occasional tyloses.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically golden or medium brown, darkening with age. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white. The sample shows significant graying (oxidation) on the exterior due to light and moisture exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to termite attack, fungus, and rot due to high natural oil and silica content.
Common Uses
Outdoor furniture, boat building (especially decks), flooring, veneer, cabinetry, and exterior joinery.
Geographic Origin
Native to South and Southeast Asia (India, Myanmar, Thailand); widely grown in plantations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $40.00 per board foot depending on source (plantation vs. old-growth) and grain quality.
Wood Age Estimate
Based on the rough-sawn texture, end-grain checking, and gray oxidation patina, the lumber appears to have been air-dried or stored in an outdoor/uncontrolled environment for 1-3 years.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices, but listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List (native forest populations). FSC-certified plantation teak is widely available.
Workability
Generally easy to work but contains high levels of silica which dulls tool blades rapidly. Glues well despite natural oils if surfaces are freshly sanded or wiped with a solvent.
Notable Features
Distinctive leather-like scent when freshly cut. Naturally high oil and silica content makes it one of the most weather-resistant woods in the world.
Finish Recommendations
Teak oil or penetrating sealers are recommended to maintain color. It can be left unfinished to weather to a silver-grey patina.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of large ring-porous structure visible in the end grain, the golden-brown to grayed weathering pattern, and the typical dimensions of tropical imported lumber are hallmarks of Tectona grandis.