Teak (Solid Wood)
The wood that needs no protection
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Teak (Tectona grandis) is a tropical hardwood from Southeast Asia with natural oiliness that makes it resistant to water, rot, and insects without any treatment. Density: 630–720 kg/m³ (ASTM D2555), Janka hardness 3.5 (~1,000 lbf). Heartwood is golden-brown and silvers in the open air over time (patina). Teak contains natural rubber and oleoresins that fill the pores: water absorption is minimal even unfinished. This made teak the #1 material for yacht decks, outdoor furniture, and wet zones. Two categories: old-growth (60–80-year forest) — dense, tight-grained; plantation (15–25 years) — softer, wider rings, 30–50% less expensive. CITES does not restrict teak, but FSC certification is essential for responsible sourcing.
TECHNICAL PASSPORT
In our practice, teak is a specialist material for wet zones and outdoor projects: restaurant terrace countertops, spa windowsills, poolside bar tops. Over 10 years — 30+ projects. The key difference from oak and ash: teak doesn't need oil or lacquer for moisture protection — it works 'bare.' Many intentionally leave teak unfinished, allowing the silver patina to develop. This effect is prized in yacht and landscape design. To maintain the original golden tone — teak oil does the job. Burmese teak (Myanmar) is considered the finest: densest structure, minimal sapwood, even tone. However, Myanmar exports are restricted by sanctions — primary sources are plantations in Indonesia, India, and Costa Rica.
Varieties & Types
Burmese Teak (Myanmar Old Growth)
$$$$$Myanmar — old-growth forest 60–80 years
The quality benchmark: dense (700–720 kg/m³), tight-grained, even golden-brown tone. Maximum oil content. Exports are restricted by sanctions and quotas — a rarity on the market. Priced 3–5× above plantation teak.
Indonesian Plantation Teak
$$$$Indonesia (Java) — plantations 20–25 years
The primary commercial source. Wider rings, less dense (630–660 kg/m³) than old-growth, but retains natural oiliness. FSC-certified plantations. Optimal price-to-quality balance.
Indian Teak (Nagpur Teak)
$$$$India (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra) — managed forests
Mid-range quality: density 650–680 kg/m³. Slightly darker tone than Indonesian. Availability depends on Indian government quotas. Primarily consumed domestically.
Latin American Plantation Teak
$$$Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil — young plantations 15–20 years
The youngest and softest: large rings, lower oil content. Suited for decorative pieces with subsequent oil finish. 40–50% less expensive than Indonesian. Not the best choice for structural outdoor builds.
Reclaimed Teak
$$$$$Indonesia, Myanmar — from demolished buildings, ships, bridges (50–200 years)
Timber with a story: beams from old Javanese houses, decks from decommissioned ships. Maximum density, natural silver patina, nail holes and fastener marks. An eco-friendly choice — zero felling. Every piece is unique.
Advantages
- ✓Water-resistant without finish — natural oils protect against moisture, rot, and fungi
- ✓Durability class 1 — resists termites and marine borers (EN 350)
- ✓Performs outdoors — the only furniture timber with a 50+ year no-finish guarantee
- ✓Silver patina — noble aging valued in yacht design
- ✓High chemical resistance — acids and alkalis do not damage the surface
- ✓Very low shrinkage — tangential 4.8% (oak 10.5%) → minimal warping
- ✓Historical prestige — the material of ship decks, temples, and bridges for centuries
- ✓Reclaimed teak — eco-material with zero felling and unique character
Limitations
- ⚠Premium price — 2–4× more expensive than oak and ash
- ⚠Softer than oak — 1,000 lbf vs. 1,360 lbf Janka; scratches more easily
- ⚠Oiliness hinders gluing — standard D3/D4 adhesive bonds poorly; PUR required
- ⚠Ethical concerns — illegal logging in Myanmar and India (FSC certification essential)
- ⚠Silvering — not everyone likes the gray tone; teak oil needed to maintain golden color
- ⚠Limited FAS availability — wide boards are scarce and very expensive
Applications
Outdoor furniture and terraces — teak's signature application. Tables, chairs, and loungers for restaurant patios, hotels, and private residences. Requires no finish — an annual wash suffices. Outdoor lifespan: 50+ years.
Countertops for wet zones — spas, pool areas, summer kitchens. Teak withstands constant water contact without swelling. Recommendation: 40 mm edge-glued panel with PUR adhesive.
Poolside and terrace bar tops — teak is unfazed by spilled cocktails, rain, and temperature swings. The silver patina adds charm to a beach bar.
Yacht and ship decks — the legendary application. Teak is slip-resistant when wet (micro-texture), salt-water resistant. 6 mm teak veneer on plywood — the yachting standard.
Bathroom surfaces — vanity tops, shelves, tub surrounds. Teak is the only species that performs in a bathroom without sealing. Recommendation: teak oil to preserve golden tone.
Reception desks for hotels and spas — teak conveys a tropical-resort atmosphere. Paired with white stone or concrete. Reclaimed teak — for boutique hotels with eco-positioning.
Pricing & Economics
Pricing Factors
- ·Origin — Burmese costs 3–5× more than Indonesian plantation
- ·Age — Old Growth (60+ years) costs 40–80% more than Plantation (20 years)
- ·Reclaimed — costs 50–100% more than new plantation teak
- ·Grade — FAS/clear costs 40–60% more than #1 Common
- ·Width — boards wider than 8 in carry a 30–50% premium
- ·Finish — unfinished (most common) or teak oil (+10%)
Care & Longevity
Daily Care
Teak requires virtually no care — a damp cloth is enough. Outdoors: occasional hosing down. Food and beverage spills do not absorb deeply thanks to the oily surface.
What to Avoid
Only real restriction — abrasive cleaners on oiled surfaces. No bleach — it destroys the natural oils. Do not aggressively sand reclaimed teak — preserve the patina and historical marks.
Periodic Maintenance
To maintain golden tone: teak oil every 6–12 months for interiors, every 3–6 months for exteriors. If teak has silvered and you want the color back — sand P180→P240 to expose the fresh layer, then oil.
Professional Care
Restoring silvered teak: deep sanding 0.5–1 mm to reveal the golden layer, then teak oil. Cost: from $22/sq ft. For outdoor furniture — once every 5–10 years. Teak supports many restoration cycles.
Expert Reviews
Average Rating · 5 expert reviews
«Teak on a deck is the gold standard. 60-year Burmese Old Growth holds up on my yachts for 15 years with zero repairs. It silvers, but sand the deck once every 5 years — gold again. No other species delivers this combination: non-slip, rot-proof, doesn't swell in salt water.»
«Teak outdoor furniture — 8 projects in 5 years. Clients are happy: rain, snow, sun — teak doesn't care. But every other one complains about silvering — 'my expensive furniture turned gray.' I explain it's a feature, not a defect. Those who accept it love it. Those who don't — we oil it quarterly.»
«Teak is beautiful but demanding to work. Oiliness clogs sandpaper, D4 glue won't hold without degreasing, bits dull from the silica in the grain. PUR adhesive and carbide tooling only. The result is stunning, but labor costs are 40% higher than oak. I charge a material surcharge.»
«Indonesian teak on an outdoor kitchen by the sea — 4th season, not a crack, not a speck of mold. Rain, salt wind, +100°F summers — teak is indifferent. First year I oiled it every 3 months. Then I decided to let it silver. Now it's a noble gray; guests think it's driftwood.»
«Teak on the reception desk and in the spa zone: 3 years. High humidity, daily chlorine cleaning — not a single swell. But chlorine ate through the oil finish in 6 months — we switched to unfinished teak with silver patina. Now it looks like an intentional design move.»
Frequently Asked Questions
Illegal teak logging is a global problem: Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodian forests are clear-cut without oversight. Without an FSC certificate you risk purchasing timber from illegal sources. FSC guarantees: the forest is responsibly managed, trees are replanted, and local community rights are respected. For buyers: always request FSC-CoC (Chain of Custody) from the supplier.
Yes — Old Growth (60–80 years): 10–15% denser, tighter grain, more oils, more even tone. Plantation (15–25 years): softer, wider rings, fewer oils, needs oiling more often. For water resistance: both work, but Old Growth lasts longer outdoors untreated. For price: Old Growth costs 2–5× more. For interiors — plantation is sufficient. For yacht decks — Old Growth only.
No — silvering (patina) is a natural UV oxidation of the surface layer. The wood beneath remains golden and sound. Silver teak is valued in yacht and landscape design — seen as a mark of authenticity and age. If you dislike it, sand P180 to reveal the fresh layer in 10 minutes. Teak oil slows the silvering.
Plantation teak, edge-glued 40 mm: from $360/sq ft installed. Indonesian Select: from $540/sq ft. Burmese Old Growth: from $1,200/sq ft. Reclaimed: from $900/sq ft. A typical 20 sq ft countertop: $7,200–$24,000. For comparison: oak — $4,200–$9,600 for a similar scope. Teak is 1.5–2.5× more expensive.
Natural oleoresins create a micro-film on teak's surface that increases grip on contact with water. Silica (SiO₂) in the fibers provides additional roughness. That's why teak is the #1 standard for yacht decks: bare feet on wet teak don't slip. The same property is valued for terraces, pool copings, and entrance zones.
Standard D3/D4 (PVA) adhesives bond poorly to teak due to the oils. Solution: (1) degrease with acetone immediately before bonding; (2) use PUR (polyurethane) adhesive — it chemically bonds to the oily surface; (3) glue within 30 minutes of jointing (fresh surface, oils haven't re-emerged). Professionals use PUR exclusively.
Reclaimed teak is an eco-friendly choice with history. Beams from 100–200-year-old Javanese houses, decks from decommissioned ships. Advantages: maximum density (naturally aged over decades), zero felling, unique character (nail holes, patina, cracks). Downsides: 50–100% more expensive than new plantation, requires expert handling (extract metal, clean, flatten). For eco-boutique hotels and conscious buyers — the best option.
Yes, but it's a non-typical use. Teak in a kitchen is a budget over-spend (water resistance is over-spec for indoors). Justification: if you want a luxury kitchen with an integrated sink where water is irrelevant — teak makes sense. Finish: teak oil for golden tone or unfinished for silver patina. The common answer to 'which wood for a kitchen' — oak/ash are cheaper and more practical. Teak is for those who want the very best.
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