Botanical Name: Tectona grandis
Source: Native South & South East Asia. Mainly India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand & Burma.
Descriptions: heartwood is brownish red in color. It darkens as it ages. Sometimes there are dark patches on it. There is a strange scent in newly cut wood. sapwood is whitish to pale yellowish brown in color. It can easily separate from heartwood. Wood texture is hard and ring porous.
Air-Dry-Density: Approx. 720 kg/m3.
Defects: Use of modern cleaning compounds, oils or preservatives will shorten the life of the teak, as it contains natural teak-oil a very small distance below the white surface. People with poor knowledge often over-maintain the teak, and drastically shorten its life.
Durability: The timber is extremely durable and requires very little maintenance. hHighly resistant to termite attacks. It is also highly resistant to rot, fungi and mildew. In addition, teak has a relatively low shrinkage ratio, which makes it excellent for applications where it undergoes periodic changes in moisture. Teak has the unusual properties of being both an excellent structural timber for framing, planking, etc.
Uses: Teak is often an effective material for the construction of both indoor and outdoor furniture. Teak’s high oil content, high tensile strength and tight grain makes it particularly suitable for outdoor furniture applications. Over time teak can mature to a silvery-grey finish, especially when exposed to sunlight. It is used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture, decking, and other articles where weather resistance is desired. It is also used for cutting boards, indoor flooring, countertops and as a veneer for indoor furnishings as It is very resistant to termite attacks.
Maintenance: Wooden experts will only wash the teak with salt water. This cleans the deck, and prevent it from drying out and the wood from shrinking. The salt helps it absorb and retain moisture, and prevents any mildew and algal growth. Recommended to revarnish once in 2-3 years for surface maintenance.