If you are looking for more information about teak names, their characteristics, qualities, and the uses of teak, then this is the article for you.
Wood has been a long time favorite, especially for use in homes and home decor. Woodwork adds a nice finishing touch to any home. Likewise, wood furnishings add class to any home.
All types of wood are popular, but teak is a wood type that is in high demand. Teak wood is especially popular for use in outdoor furniture. It is an expensive wood. However, it is durable and resists water.
Teak is considered an exotic wood and is used in many ways, including outdoor and garden furniture. It grows in many different areas in the world and goes by several names. It has varying grades making teak ideal for a large range of applications.
If you are looking for more information about teak names, their characteristics, qualities, and the uses of teak, then this is the article for you. Continue reading to find out more about the different types of teak wood and teak wood furniture.
What is Teak Wood?
Naturally grown teak wood comes from a tree that is native to Burma in South East Asia. However, it is also known to grow on plantations in the tropical regions of Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
This type of hardwood has a close grain that contains silica and natural oils. It is considered to be one of the most durable, hard, and strong wood. It can resist rot and is not damaged by sun, snow, rain, or frost.
Teak has been a preferred wood by boat builders for generations. You can also find it in upscale homes, hotels, and estates. Teak wood has a golden to medium brown tone range with a straight grain. There are various different type of teak wood and teak wood furniture.
Types of Teak Wood
African Plantation Teak Wood
African Plantation teak comes from plantations where the trees are anywhere between 15 to 25 years old when they are harvested. This wood does not have time to produce natural oils, which makes this teak not as durable as other types. In addition, these trees are grown specifically to be harvested.
African plantation teak wood has a light color, and the wood grain pattern is wide. It also contains knots. This particular teak plantation wood does not have adequate water resistance. These trees are not native to this region, and the climate is not ideal for teak. It is often used for shipbuilding and veneer.
African Teak Wood
African teak is not technically real teak wood. However, it is an acceptable substitute for natural teak. It is actually called iroko. This type of teak is a stable wood that resists water. It does not look like teak. It has a straight grain, and there are no knots in the wood. African teak has some resistance to pests and rot.
This tree is native to an area on the west coast of Africa. They have a life span of more than 70 years. Iroko is used as a teak substitute for outdoor furniture, flooring, shipbuilding, and decking.
Banuywangi Teak Wood
Banuywangi teak is a variation of Indian teak that is native to India or Sumatra. It is more affordable than Indian or Burma teak. This teak is a strong and durable type of teak; however, it does not have the golden brown coloring that many expect to see from teak wood.
Banuywangi teak is a rare type of teak that has a darker color with a curly grain. The color gets darker the most exposure the wood has to light. It can go from light to chocolate brown to almost black. Some refer to it as a knotty grain pattern. This durable wood is ideal for cabinets, furniture, flooring, and boats.
Bojonegoro Teak Wood
Bojonegoro teak trees are a native of Indonesia, and this wood is some of the best teak you can find on the market. This wood has a golden-brown color with a grain that is typically straight but can sometimes be wavy.
There has been a history of timber smuggling with Bojonegoro teak. While the past had its share of violence, there are better regulations and controls in place today. However, illegal logging does occur with Bojonegoro teak.
Brazilian Teak Wood
Brazilian Teak wood is a wood that is commonly used for exteriors of buildings, furniture, outdoor flooring, and deck material. This wood resists pests, rot, and deterioration. Its durability is why it is a great option for outdoor structures.
Brazilian teak has a nice finish, texture, and color. It is incredibly durable and resists decay. Brazilian teak is a great option because it can hold up to various weather conditions, including extreme changes in temperature. In addition, this wood does not split or warp.
Brazil has abundant rain forests that produce about 80% of the supply for the world. However, deforestation has caused significant problems, which has caused a movement toward sustainable forestry.
Burma (Burmese) Teak Wood
Burmese teak is one of the most durable and expensive types of teak. These trees grow in the forests of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. These trees are over 50 years old. They can grow as tall as 130 feet tall. Burma teak produces some of the highest quality wood you can find.
Burma teak wood is golden-brown in color that has an even wood grain pattern and a smooth texture. It is considered an elegant grain distribution and contains a large amount of teak oil.
This type of teak is used for boats, construction, furniture, and flooring. This type of teak is ideal for high quality furniture. It does not have visible holes or knots or holes. There is little waste created when cutting or shaping this wood. It sands smoothly and does not have any marks left from sanding.
Chinese Teak Wood
Chinese teak is not technically a teak wood. It is called Robinia wood or black locust. Chinese teak looks a lot like natural teak. You may not be able to tell the difference between them. Chinese teak is more affordable and easier to find than teak. It is ideal for furniture.
Chinese teak wood comes from a tree that is native to Myanmar, Thailand, and Southwest China’s Yunnan Province. This type of teak is heavy, durable, and resists weather.
Dahat Teak Wood
Dahat teak comes from a tree that is native to Myanmar. There are an unknown number of Dahat teak tree specimens. This tree is on the endangered species list. These trees can grow as tall as 26 feet high with a girth of as much as 27 inches.
Grade A Teak Wood
Grade A teak is the highest quality teak available. This teak comes from the center of the tree, which is also known as the heartwood. It has the highest oil content of all the grades. It is also completely mature.
Grade A teak has a golden-brown color with the most incredible resistance to the elements because of the high amount of oil. This teak will not crack or warp easily and is considered durable. Grade A is the most expensive type of teak. It is only present in a fifth or a quarter of the log. This teak has the approval of the Thailand Quality Institute (TQI) and comes with an approval seal that states it conforms to the standards to be considered Grade A.
Grade A teak is kiln-dried while still having some moisture in it. It does not dry out when exposed to the air. This wood does not require seasoning before it is used.
Grade B Teak Wood
Grade B teak comes from the outer part of the tree trunk. This part is often green and is considered sapwood. This part of the wood is a third to a fourth of the log that is cut. Grade B contains less oil and has a lighter color.
Grade B is not as durable as Grade A. This wood may crack and warp because of its uneven grain. Grade B does not have to meet the same standards as Grade A teak.
Grade B teak must not have visible defects or large cracks that might impact the durability and strength, primarily when used in construction. This teak is air-dried but has some moisture in it that dries out over time.
It does not require separate seasoning but should be stored in an area that is covered with ventilation. Proper ventilation allows moisture to escape. It should not be used for construction for at least six months after they are treated because chemicals may still be present.
Grade C Teak Wood
Grade C teak is the lowest teak on the grading system. This teak comes from the outer section of the tree around the sapwood. It has inconsistent color and is soft, which makes it likely to be damaged. Grade C teak is also the most affordable of all the teak options.
Grade C teak does not have natural oils, which makes it less durable. As a result, it does not look as nice as Grade A or Grade B. This Grade of teak has a protective coating but still deteriorates quickly. Therefore, it is ideal for packaging material or construction.
Grade C teak does not have to meet the same standards as Grade A or Grade B. It should not have visible defects or large cracks.
It does not require separate seasoning but should be stored in an area that is covered with ventilation. When ventilatied properly, it allows moisture to escape. It should not be used for construction for at least twelve months after they are treated because chemicals may still be present.
Indian Teak wood
Indian teak comes from a tree that is native to the forests of southwest India and southern Thailand. This type of teak has been overexploited and is not available on the international market. It is used for furniture, carving, and flooring. These trees grow to about 180 feet tall.
Indian teak is durable and is commonly used as firewood. This type of teak is rich brown in color and has substantial amounts of natural oil. This oil gives it a luxurious look and makes it resistant to weather.
Indonesian Teak Wood
Indonesian teak is similar to Burma teak. This wood is not harvested until it is 30 years old. While this teak is of high quality, it is not as high a quality as Burma teak. These trees are harvested when they are about 30 years old. They usually grow to about 100 feet tall.
They grow in suitable soil and ideal weather conditions, which create a high quality tree. Indonesian teak has a high amount of natural oil. It is light brown in color that has a slight hue of gray. This type of teak is also referred to as tropical teak wood. It has a high price, and despite that, it is popular because of the quality.
This teak is durable and strong, making it ideal for woodworking. It can be soft, making it not ideal for furniture that has a smooth surface. It can be covered with varnish to use it for bedroom furniture or dining room tables. This type of teak is ideal for outdoor patio furniture.
Philippine Teak Wood
Philippine teak is similar to Dahat teak. It is considered an endangered species. This tree grows in the Philippines. There are illegal logging activities making it possible to find furniture made from Philippine teak. It is illegal to deal in Philippine teak.
Philippine teak is resistant to weather even when it has not been treated with chemicals. It is durable when in contact with soil and water. This wood has a fine, smooth, and even texture, making it easy to work with.
The heartwood of the Philippine teak gets darker over time. So much so, it can become almost black. Yet, it remains straight without twisting or warping. As a result, this teak is ideal for cabinets, boats, fine furniture upholstery, and flooring.
South American Teak Wood
South American Teak is called teak even though it is not truly teak. Instead, it is garapa. This type of wood is durable and stable. This teak has a golden-brown color and a wavy grain pattern. South American teak wood is an excellent substitute for teak.
South American Plantation Teak Wood
South American Plantation Teak is similar to African teak but is grown in controlled conditions on South American plantations. Therefore, it is difficult to tell the difference between South American and African plantation teak.
When dry, its color is golden yellow to dark brown-red. When it gets wet, it turns to a dark brownish gray color. It has a straight grain, coarse texture, and open pores. It does not have resin canals or knots. While it may not be as durable as higher quality teak wood, it offers a high amount of strength.
South American Plantation Teak is ideal for heavy construction, flooring, and joineries where durability and strength are essential. It is also suitable for furniture, carpentry, and butcher blocks.
Thailand Teak Wood
Thailand teak grows in Thailand, which is where there are the best growing conditions for teak trees. These trees have the best color, fine wood grain, and strength of all the teak options. Unfortunately, it is not easy to find on the market.
Thailand teak is similar to mahogany but more durable and resistant to weather. This teak has a cream or tan color with dark streaks. It does turn gray brown in the sun. Thailand teak has a fine texture.
This type of teak is ideal for outdoor furniture, boats, hulls, and paneling on the exterior. In addition, this teak is used for scaffolds, window frames, shelving, and doorways. Unfortunately, the forests in Thailand are overexploited, and logging is forbidden. Therefore, this teak is considered an endangered species.
What Are the Benefits of Teak Wood?
Teak wood provides many benefits for exterior and interior use.
Resists Moisture – teak contains natural oil making it excellent at repelling moisture from rain or humidity. It is ideal for outdoor furniture for this reason. The material does not degrade over time, even when left outside all year long. It will not rot.
Pest Resistant – the oil that teak contains is called tectoquinone. It is a natural pesticide. This makes the teak resistant to pests, link termites, and other bugs. As a result, no matter where teak furniture is placed, it will not attract pests.
Resists Heat – teak can resist both heat and light. As a result, this wood does not shrink or expand in extreme temperatures or sunlight. In addition, its oil provides it some amount of elasticity so the wood will not crack when left outside.
Durable – teak is solid and durable, giving it a high amount of oil and tight wood grains. Therefore, this is the ideal wood when resistance to water and strength is needed, such as when building a ship.
Grain and Color – you can find high quality teak in the heartwood of a mature tree. It has a deep golden brown color with a high amount of oil to give the wood a luster and glossy look. In addition, teak has a straight grain making it durable and strong.
How To Care For Teak Wood Furniture
Teak is incredibly resilient and durable. However, there are some steps you can take to ensure that your teak lasts for a long time.
If you add a coat of varnish, you can help to protect the teak. Teak contains its own natural oil to protect it from rot. However, it does turn a grayish color when exposed to direct sunlight.
Applying a coat of marine or spar varnish helps to preserve the pretty golden color of the teak. The varnish is able to deflect the ultraviolet rays from the sun. These rays break down the exterior layer of the teak wood, which gives it the gray hue. A conventional polyurethane varnishes do not have UV protection, so it will not work.
Another consideration you can make is to add teak oil to the furniture. This provides a protective seal for your furniture. Teak oil is a combination of varnish and tung oil, and it penetrates well.
Keep your teak clean. When you have furniture that sits outside all year, it is easy for mold to build up on it. You can clean it to prevent this growth. You can power wash the furniture.
If you do not want to use a power washer, you can combine a cup of bleach and a scoop of laundry detergent with a gallon of warm water. You can scrub the furniture with this mixture.
If you do not want to use bleach, you can use vinegar instead. Mix a cup of vinegar with a gallon of warm water and scrub the furniture. This is also true for outdoor teak furniture, indoor furniture, hardwood flooring, and teak flooring.
Using any one of these types of cleaning methods will result in a scrubbed teak wood furniture.
What is Teak Wood Grain?
Teak wood is well-known for having beautiful grains. You know teek wood as soon as you see it. It is easy to identify from other types of grain patterns. It is often referred to as the Queen of the woods. Teak has been considered the be one of the best materials for home building.
When teak is used for furniture, the grains are much easier to identify. Just about anything can be built from teak wood. Typically, the grains are straight, but you may also find wavy grains depending on the sawing pattern.
When teak has more uniform and straight grain patterns, it shows that there was less blunting when submerged. The grain patterns of teak should not be confused with those from blackened wood. Blackened wood patterns come when the wood has sustained water damage over time.
What is the Typical Color of Teak?
The color of the teak wood differs based on the different tree species. The quality of the teak also dictates the color. When the teak wood is unseasoned, it is green. When the teak wood is semi-seasoned, it is a yellow brown color. When the teak wood is seasoned, it is a golden brown color.
The brand of teak also makes a difference. You want to consider this when choosing brands like Venteak.