Teak
Tectona grandis • Exotic/Tropical
Grain Pattern
Straight, with occasional wavy or interlocked characteristics; provides a coarse, uneven texture and a dull surface feel due to high silica and oil content.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically golden or medium brown, darkening with age to a deeper reddish-brown. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white. Often features dark streaks or splotches when freshly cut.
Hardness Rating
1,070 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot, fungal decay, and termites due to its high natural oil and rubber content.
Common Uses
Outdoor furniture, boat building (especially decks and trim), high-end cabinetry, indoor/outdoor flooring, and exterior joinery.
Geographic Origin
Native to South and Southeast Asia (India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos); widely grown on plantations across Africa and Latin America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$25.00 - $45.00 per board foot for high-quality Burmese teak; plantation-grown variations are slightly cheaper.
Wood Age Estimate
Unknown, though the surface shows substantial oxidation, deep patination, and rough milling marks suggesting the sample has been stored or weathered for several years.
Sustainability Status
Listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered; CITES regulates trade from certain regions. FSC-certified plantation teak is the most sustainable choice.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, but the high silica content has a severe dulling effect on cutting edges; glues well with proper surface preparation to remove surface oils.
Notable Features
Distinctive leather-like scent when freshly cut; naturally oily feel; high weight stability; high tannin and rubber content that protects against moisture.
Finish Recommendations
Teak oil or tung oil is recommended to enhance natural resins; can be left unfinished to weather to a silver-grey; polyurethanes may have adhesion issues unless wiped with solvent first.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the rich golden-brown hue, coarse texture, and characteristic oily appearance combined with the visible weathering pattern are strongly diagnostic of aged Tectona grandis.