The Basic Law of Supply and Demand Dictates Much of This High Cost. Teak is in high demand because of its properties. It is durable ; water-, pest- and rot-resistant; has only minor shrinkage; doesn’t corrode with steel; and very importantly, has a beautiful look, naturally weathering to a silvery-gray tone.
What is special about teak wood?
Teak is known for its incredible durability and water resistance . Teak has a high oil content, giving it the highest decay-resistance among all natural wood products. Teak is used for boat building, yachts, exterior construction, indoor and outdoor furniture, veneer, carvings, frames, and more.
What are the disadvantages of teak wood?
Disadvantages: – Teak can be difficult to glue together because the oils form a barrier that will not easily absorb the glue into the surface. It can be expensive to buy and because of the gritty nature of the wood grain it can blunt cutting tools very quickly.
Is teak an expensive wood?
Although teak is expensive , you can take the money you would have spent on annual waterproofing and apply it to buying outdoor teak furniture. Since teak is also an extremely durable and strong wood, a teak patio set owner can expect his or her purchase to last for many years.
Is teak wood rare?
True teak (tectona grandis) is rare and difficult to grow . It only grows in certain parts of the world, none of them near the US and Europe, where demand is highest. Indonesia and Burma are two of the largest suppliers.
Do termites eat teak wood?
Generally speaking, termites will attack the sapwood but not the heartwood of teak (heartwood is what most teak furniture is made from), but it’s still a good idea to take some precautions to insure your furniture’s continued beauty and longevity.
Which teak is best?
Thailand teak wood is superior in quality to Burma teak wood. You read that right! Thailand teak wood is the highest quality teak wood in the world because the growth conditions for teak in Thailand are exceptional.
Is teak wood waterproof?
Teak is unique to other woods and not only is it a strong, durable hardwood, it produces its own oil and has a high wax content. It is the ideal material for outdoor furniture as the teak oil makes it waterproof and undesirable to wood-eating insects.
How can you tell if wood is teak?
Teak wood can be recognized by the whitish sapwood and yellowish or bronze heartwood . The grain is generally straight, although on rare occasions it may present wavy grain that is common from the one from from India. The color of teak wood varies depending on the species of the tree and where it comes from.
How long will teak furniture last?
In fact, Teak is probably the most impressive material on this list. This tropical hardwood is extremely resistant to the elements, requires little to no maintenance, and can last up to 75+ years .
Is Oak better than teak?
Key difference: Oak is considered to be a hardwood , heavy, long-lasting and expensive. Oak is also known for its strength and durability, as well as high resistance to moisture and humidity. Teak wood is another type of hardwood. ... In fact, teak is famous for its high oil content, high tensile strength, and tight grain.
Can you still buy teak?
The short answer is ‘no’ . But there is still one species called Tectona grandis, or ‘common teak’, which is the only form of the wood that’s legal to export, which is one reason teak seems so ubiquitous today.
Is teak a good outdoor wood?
Teak is the hardest, most durable and strongest of the hardwoods , making it the perfect material for outdoor furniture that lasts. Used in shipbuilding since the middle ages, it continues to be used today in the construction of ships and high-end yachts and boats.
Is teak wood banned in India?
India is the main export destination of teak from Myanmar. In the other three natural teak growing countries, logging of teak in natural forest is entirely banned .
What country is famous for teak wood?
Myanmar is regarded as the home of teak and international marketing is known from the 18th century. Of the four countries of natural grown teak only Myanmar and Indonesia continue exports; India and Thailand now import teak.
Which wood is best for furniture?
- Walnut. Walnut is a hard, strong and durable wood for furniture. ...
- Maple. Maple is one of the hardest wood types for furniture. ...
- Mahogany. Mahogany is a durable hardwood that’s often used for investment, intricate pieces of furniture. ...
- Birch. ...
- Oak. ...
- Cherry. ...
- Pine.
