Understanding teak Wood and Its Defining Characteristics

When looking to invest in sustainable garden furniture, people often ask: what is teak wood and why is it so widely used in exposed locations? This tropical wood has become a benchmark in the world of high-end outdoor furniture. Teak wood’s lasting quality, its strength, the way it feels, and its beautiful color – these traits definitely make an impression. But although teak may look perfect, there are a few things you need to know before you choose it.

What exactly is teak wood?

Teak (Tectona grandis) is a tropical hardwood native to Southeast Asia, mainly grown in Indonesia, India, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. It is sourced from a deciduous tree that can reach 40 meters in height. This exotic wood has been used for centuries to build ships, decks and, more recently, outdoor furniture.

Teak can be recognized by its golden to honey-brown hue, its pronounced grain and its natural oil, which is what makes it weather-resistant. Unlike other species, teak improves with age, taking on an elegant gray hue if not treated with oils or sealants. Let’s delve deeper into the many interesting characteristics of teak.

Characteristics of teak wood

About teak wood

Teak is a hardwood with straight or slightly wavy grain, fine to medium texture and high density. It is naturally oily to the touch, as it contains both oils and silica. Its fresh-cut color ranges from golden yellow to medium brown, and becomes gray if exposed to the weather and left untreated. The grain is subtle but elegant, with occasional coppery highlights. Teak wood can be described as sober, warm and refined.

About teak logs

Teak logs are prized for their regularity. The tree produces a long, straight trunk with no low branches, resulting in long, knot-free sections of wood ideal for exterior cabinetwork. Teak’s sapwood, the lighter outer section, is noticeably different from the heartwood. It’s less durable and therefore seldom used in woodworking.

Origins

Historically used in the natural forests of Myanmar, today teak comes mainly from sustainable plantations in Indonesia (SVLK-certified), West Africa and Central America. Indonesia remains the world’s leading exporter, and Indonesian teak is often considered to offer the best compromise between quality and environmental sustainability.

Physical properties

• Density: High, resulting in exceptional natural strength.
• Dimensional stability: Very good, with very little warping, even under extreme conditions (frost, humidity, UV).
• Color: Evolves with time from golden brown to natural silver-gray.

Technical properties

• Natural resistance to termites, fungi and mildew.
• Inertia against weathering: The wood will not mildew, rot or frost-damage, even without treatment.
• Mechanical durability: Teak withstands impact, bending and pressure well, even without finish or varnish.

Natural durability and impregnability

Teak is classified in the natural durability class 1, which means it can be exposed to the elements without treatment. This trait can be attributed to its internal oils, which form a natural protective barrier.

However, the high oil content of teak restricts how much it can absorb treatments, thus limiting the effectiveness of surface applications. It is therefore preferable to let it weather naturally, or to apply a specific teak oil (solvent-free) to preserve its original appearance.

Drying teak

Teak takes a long time to dry completely, but that’s no problem. On the contrary, slow drying is a good thing: it allows the wood to remain stable, without significant warping or splitting.

When wood is properly dried (either in the open air for several months, or in a controlled kiln), it retains its shape. This is what makes it possible to manufacture furniture that doesn’t warp or alter over time.

Sawing and machining

Despite being a dense wood, teak is surprisingly easy to saw; however, its silica pockets cause saw blades to dull quickly. We recommend using :

• Carbide-tipped saw blades for cutting;
• Highly wear-resistant milling cutters for molding operations.

When machined, teak produces clean, splinter-free results, and it sands easily to a silky smooth finish, especially with fine-grain sandpaper.

Assembly

There are a variety of ways to assemble teak furniture :

• Gluing: Effective if surfaces are well degreased and cleaned beforehand (to remove surface oils);
• Screwing/Nailing: Use A4 stainless steel screws to avoid rust drips;
• Mechanical joints: They are very strong thanks to the density of wood;
• Finishing: Wood accepts natural oils, but rejects varnishes that eventually flake off.

Advantages of teak

It’s no coincidence that teak is a highly durable and sought-after wood species. It combines a number of natural qualities that place it well above other exotic or local species.

• Weather resistance: Rain, sun, snow… teak remains stable under difficult conditions and will not warp.
• Exceptional durability: It can last 50 years outdoors without treatment.
• Aesthetics: Its natural gray patina is highly sought-after.
• Low-maintenance: Teak wood is easy to maintain, requiring only simple cleaning. It can be oiled to preserve its golden color.
• Resistant to dry wood insects: Natural oils repel pests.

Disadvantages of teak

Despite its many excellent qualities, teak does have some drawbacks:

• High price: Teak is one of the most expensive woods on the market.
• Unclear origin: Some origins pose ethical and environmental problems.
• Evolving color: The color of teak wood can change over time, which may displease some people.
• Regular oiling is required to maintain the original color, otherwise the wood naturally turns gray.
• Its natural resistance makes teak challenging to recycle through standard industrial processes.

Uses for teak wood

Teak is used in :

• High-end outdoor furniture (chairs, tables, benches, garden furniture);
• Boat decking (luxury yachting);
• Wood decking and interior and exterior flooring (parquet);
• Fine joinery (doors, shutters, staircases);
• Spa and bathroom fittings (naturally water-repellent wood);
• Shipbuilding;
• Cladding and panelling.

Its elegant look and durability make teak an excellent choice for any setting exposed to moisture or significant climactic variations.

Why is teak wood ideal for outdoor furniture?

Outdoor furniture is constantly under attack: UV rays, rain, frost, heat, thermal shock… Few materials can withstand this treatment without intensive maintenance. Teak, on the other hand, holds up well. It won’t swell, crack, split or become slippery in the rain.

Its surface remains pleasant to the touch, even after several seasons. Well-designed teak garden furniture remains stable, solid and attractive year after year. It never goes out of fashion, and is admired for developing an attractive patina, which allows it to improve in quality and blend naturally with all types of landscaping.

Used on its own or in combination with aluminum, textilene or ceramics, teak allows great freedom of design while guaranteeing performance and longevity.

Choosing teak outdoor furniture is choosing quality

JML offers outdoor furniture crafted from teak and ipe, with a strong emphasis on both the manufacturing process and the final finishing. Each piece is designed to last a long time, blend in beautifully, and age gracefully. Choosing teak garden furniture means opting for durability, beauty, and resilience.