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Teak
Wood Flooring Species
Scientific Name:
Tectona grandis
Other Names and Species:
Burma Teak
Djati
Genuine Teak
Gia Thi
Jati Sak
Kyun
Mai Sak
Pahi
Rangoon Teak
Rosawa
Sagon
Sagwan
Tadi
Teca
Teck
Tegina
Tekku
Tik
Tsik
Origin:
Indonesia
Appearance:
The sapwood of teak is white to pale yellow, while the heartwood ranges from dark golded-brown to dark golden-yellow to rich brown in color with darker chocolate-colored brown streaks. The species has a straight, occasionally wavy grain and is fairly coarse and uneven in texture. The wood itself can be greasy with shiny white pockets. This species has a dull luster.
Properties:
Teak has a high resistance to decay and termite attack. In fact, the oil secreted by the wood is reported to be a natural insect repellant. The wood remains smooth under friction and is reported to have the odor of leather when freshly cut. Teak is difficult and time-consuming to dry properly.
Janka Hardness: 1000
As a flooring option, teak is a somewhat hard and durable wood. It falls between black cherry and black walnut in hardness, is about forty percent harder than Douglas-fir, thirty-one percent softer than sugar maple, roughly sixty-nine percent as hard as hard maple, and just over forty-five percent as hard as santos mahogany’s ranking of 2200.
Workability:
Teak can be somewhat difficult to saw properly due to its severe dulling effect on cutting edges. Pre-boring is suggested, yet the wood holds nails well once applied. Glue holds well and easily with teak flooring. This species sands well but can clog sandpaper. Solvent use is suggested on the surface of the wood prior to staining to ensure minimal interference with the natural oils present. The wood does mar somewhat easily under heavy traffic.
Principal Uses:
Teak’s uses include flooring accents, fine furniture, interior construction, canoes, and tables.
