, , , , , ,

Teak / Teca

Sometimes called Burmese teak, this name is used to differentiate natural-grown trees (typically from Myanmar, aka Burma) from teak grown on plantations. Used extensively in India and within its natural range for centuries, teak has grown into a worldwide favorite. With its superb stability, good strength properties, easy workability—and most of all, its outstanding resistance to decay and rot—it’s no wonder that teak ranks among the most desired lumbers in the world.

Maecenas efficitur ornare massa.

Duis auctor nisl vitae purus interdum, quis congue lacus rutrum.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse ac massa eget urna tempor vehicula vel id nisi. Pellentesque sed felis auctor, molestie lectus vitae, elementum orci. In et nunc consequat, semper tellus eget, euismod quam.

Nunc tempus

Duis vel ipsum vitae est semper varius.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

Sad Plants Signs

Color/Appearance

Heartwood tends to be a golden or medium brown, with color darkening with age.

Grain/Texture

Grain is straight, though it can occasionally be wavy or interlocked. Coarse, uneven texture and moderate to low natural luster. Raw, unfinished wood surfaces have a slightly oily or greasy feel due to natural oils.

Rot Resistance

Teak has been considered by many to be the gold standard for decay resistance, and its heartwood is rated as very durable. Teak is also resistant to termites, though it is only moderately resistant to marine borers and powder post beetles.

Workability

Easy to work in nearly all regards, with the only caveat being that teak contains a high level of silica (up to 1.4%) which has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting edges. Despite its natural oils, teak usually glues and finishes well, though in some instances it may be necessary to wipe the surface of the wood with a solvent prior to gluing/finishing to reduce the natural oils on the surface of the wood.

Odor

Teak can have a leather-like scent when freshly milled.

Allergies/Toxicity

Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, teak has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as other health effects, such as pink eye, rash, nausea, asthma-like symptoms, and vision effects

Pricing/Availability

Despite its widespread cultivation on plantations worldwide, teak is very expensive. It is perhaps one of the most expensive lumbers on the market, at least for large-sized, non-figured wood. Other woods are more expensive, but are typically only available in small pieces, (i.e., Gaboon ebony or snakewood), or they are valued solely for the figure of their grain (i.e., burl woods, Pommele sapele, or Waterfall bubinga).

Sustainability

This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, because of a recent (Feb. 2021) military takeover of the country of Myanmar (the biggest source of teak worldwide), sanctions have been placed on imported teak.

Common Uses

Ship and boatbuilding, veneer, furniture, exterior construction, carving, turnings, and other small wood objects.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Teak / Teca”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *