Teak
Tectona grandis • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Generally straight to slightly interlocked with a coarse, uneven texture. The sample shows a prominent checks/crack following the grain direction with visible saw marks on the face.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically golden or medium brown, darkening with age. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white. The visible surface shows a dull luster and typical oily appearance characteristic of seasoned teak.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Highly resistant to rot, termites, and fungal decay due to high natural oil content.
Common Uses
Outdoor furniture, boat building (especially decking), exterior joinery, flooring, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Native to Southern Asia (India, Myanmar, Thailand); extensively grown on plantations throughout tropical regions in Africa and Latin America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$25.00 - $45.00 per board foot for high-quality FEQ (First European Quality) material.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or reclaimed secondary stock, under 5 years since processed based on the lack of deep silver-gray oxidation often seen in weathered teak.
Sustainability Status
Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to a population decline of over 50% in its natural range; however, it is widely available as FSC-certified plantation-grown timber.
Workability
Generally easy to work but contains high silica content which dulls cutting edges rapidly. It glues reasonably well despite natural oils if surfaces are wiped with solvent first.
Notable Features
Distinctive leather-like scent when freshly cut. High natural oil content makes it uniquely resistant to water and weather without chemical treatment.
Finish Recommendations
Teak oil or Danish oil to maintain the warm color; alternatively, it can be left unfinished to weather to a silver-gray patina.
Identification Confidence
Medium. The color, coarse grain, characteristic 'oily' surface texture, and the specific way the wood has checked (cracked) are highly indicative of Tectona grandis, though some mahoganies or iroko can appear similar in rough-sawn states.