Teak is a durable and versatile exotic species, much in demand for industrial work and boat building. Naturally covering class 5, teak wood can be placed in contact with sea water and therefore remains an asset for this type of construction.
Teak wood is a must for your various projects, so it is important that you learn more about this species:
- What is teak wood?
- What are the characteristics of teak?
- Teak wood: what is it used for?
- How do you maintain teak wood?
- Other questions about teak
What is teak wood?
Teak wood is native to Asia; this exotic wood is found mainly in the monsoon forests of various countries on that continent: India, Laos, Burma, Thailand. It was, however, subsequently planted widely in Latin America, Africa and Oceania. Teak belongs to the botanical species Tectona grandis, of the Lamiaceae family.
Finally, different names are used for solid teak wood depending on the country:
- Germany : Teak;
- Brazil : Teca;
- France : Teck;
- India : Sagwan;
- Indonesia : Jati;
- Laos : May Sak;
- Burma : Kyun.
What are the characteristics of teak?
Teak has many characteristics of great interest, such as high durability, an ability to cover class 5 naturally (like massaranduba), a straight grain and easy assembly.
Description of teak wood
- Colour of natural teak : yellowish brown, turning to blackish brown with time and sun;
- Sapwood (the soft, light-coloured part of the wood that forms each year under the bark): clearly distinct;
- Grain : coarse;
- Grain direction or fibre orientation : straight;
- Interlocked grain or direction contrary to the axis : absent.
Description of the teak log
- Diameter of the teak tree : between 50 and 100 cm;
- Thickness of the sapwood : between 2 and 6 cm;
- Buoyancy : does not float;
- Preservation in the forest : good.
The physical properties of teak wood
- Density of solid teak wood (at 12% moisture content with 1 MPa = 1 N/mm²): 0.67;
- Hardness (at 12% moisture content with 1 MPa = 1 N/mm²): 4.2;
- Volumetric shrinkage coefficient : 0.34%;
- Total tangential shrinkage (TS): 4.7%;
- Total radial shrinkage (RS): 2.6%;
- Ratio between TS and RS : 1.8%;
- Fibre saturation point : 24;
The natural durability and treatability of teak
- Resistance to fungi : class 1 – very durable;
- Resistance to dry wood insects : class D – durable, with clearly distinct sapwood;
- Resistance to termites : class M – moderately durable;
- Treatability : class 4 – not treatable;
- Use class: wood class 4, for use in contact with the ground or with fresh water. What is more, it naturally covers class 5, for contact with sea water, because of a high content of silica, or silicon dioxide, which makes up many minerals.
As a result, teak needs no particular treatment such as pressure treatment of wood, because of its natural durability.
Drying teak wood
- Drying speed : slow;
- Risk of distortion : absent or very low;
- Risk of case-hardening (accidental hardening): no known risk;
- Risk of checks (splits): absent or very low;
- Risk of collapse (waviness, separation of the wood): no known risk.
Sawing and machining teak wood
- Blunting effect : considerable;
- Sawing teeth : stellite-tipped teeth;
- Machining tools : tungsten carbide;
- Suitability for peeling : not recommended;
- Suitability for slicing : good.
You may note that the dust given off by teak wood can cause skin irritation because of its high silica content, so it is important that you protect yourself from it.
Assembling teak
The assembly of teak is carried out in two steps:
- Nailing and screwing : good holding, pre-drilling is required;
- Gluing : satisfactory but delicate, because teak wood is oily.
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Teak wood: what is it used for?
Very durable, teak wood is highly valued in the field of outdoor construction but also in interior joinery. Its yellow colouring can take on some highlights with exposure to the sun, giving it a warm shade that suits external coverings as well as furniture, for example:
- Teak in boat building: naturally hard-wearing and durable, teak wood covers class 5 and can therefore be placed in contact with sea water. All these characteristics make it an ideal species for boat building.
- Interior and exterior joinery for teak wood: its warm shade and its durability make the teak wood species an asset for laying floors or panelling indoors, and also for doors and windows outdoors.
- Making teak furniture: how easily it can be machined makes it very practical for making furniture. What is more, its strength is useful for building furniture that will last over time.
- Laying external coverings : with the brown colour of teak wood and durability that stands up to anything, teak is perfect for the cladding of a house, for example.
How do you maintain teak wood?
Teak wood needs no particular maintenance because it is naturally hard-wearing and durable. Over time it will take on a greyish colour, which can be brought back with a wood brightener if you wish.
We can, however, still advise you to clean your teak deck or your furniture once a year. Whether outdoors or for maintaining teak wood indoors, you can use water, such as a low-pressure jet, to look after the wood and avoid any premature deterioration.
Other questions about teak
What is the price of teak?
The price of teak wood varies, but a board costs around 115 euros per m². Depending on the country of origin and the retailer, the rates will fluctuate.
How does teak age?
Teak wood takes on a grey, patinated colouring over time, like many exotic woods. You can either let it age naturally, or bring back its natural shade with a wood brightener.
Teak, this durable and hard-wearing exotic wood, is a great success in exterior and interior joinery, among other things. You now know everything there is to know about teak wood for better use in your projects.