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ALL ABOUT TEAK
Trade or Common Name: Teak
Local Name: Jati
Botanical Name: Tectona Grandis
Family: Verbenaceae
The Tree:
Teak is not a very fast growing, and on
favorable sites may reach 130 to 150
feet in height with clear boles to 80 to
90 feet. The trunks are cylindrical to
fluted and may reach 3 to 5 feet in
diameter.
The Wood:
Teak is a beautiful golden to dark
brown, sometimes reddish brown, with a
straight grain, sometimes wavy. Teak is
rich natural oils, is easily worked, and
dresses to a very smooth finish. Because
of its natural oils, teak is very
durable and resistant to moisture and
the drying effects of exposure to
weather. Teak is unique in that it does
not cause rust or corrosion when in
contact with metal.
Uses:
Teak is a very valuable wood and is
prized throughout the world. It is
sought for the decks, trim and detail
work in expensive boats, and fine
furniture, flooring, carving, joinery,
cabinetwork, paneling, turnery and
veneer.
The nature characteristic of teak is its
durability in all weather conditions.
Teak has an extremely dense grained
hardwood that resists rot, warping,
shrinking and swelling. Its high natural
oil content continually preserves the
wood so it can be left outdoors for
decades. Because of the durability of
teak in all weather conditions, in the
old days, the sailor use teak as ship’s
deck and benches. The decking on these
ships was in such good condition when
the ships were about to be scrapped; the
wood was recycled and remade into
outdoor furniture. The still use it for
the deck and bench ever since. Now, not
only being use by the needs of ship but
also recliner on the beach, near the
pool, benches at public parks, dining
table at snow resources and other public
areas are furnished with teak, some of
which are nearly a century old.
Beside the durability nature, teak
furniture is very smooth and does not
splinter. The color of teak also stay
very neutral in all weather condition
whether its exposed to the sun or cold
winter days around the years. Its also
has good smell and pleasant aromatic for
years and years.
Teak is a deciduous tree, which grows in
dry, hilly terrains of forests in
Southeast Asia. It cannot grow in rain
forest. Actually, the best hardwood teak
comes from Indonesia. Most of the teak
furniture, which is sold around the
world, not comes from natural forest –
tree farms. But still, from planting,
growing until be a good teak hardwood
will takes at least 50 years. When
untreated teak furniture is used indoors
(as it is in restaurants, office
lobbies, shopping centers, etc.), the
wood grain evens in tone, becoming and
staying a very rich golden brown color. |
