Teak trees are known around the world, majorly because of their fine quality wood. Teak trees also called Teak (Tectona grandis). The heartwood (extreme center of the log) of Teak is yellow colored but as the tree ages, it becomes darker. At times, dark colored patches are present on it. The smell of freshly cut wood is like leather. The sapwood (the outer area of the log, around the heartwood) is white to pale yellow-brown in color. It can be distinguished from heartwood easily. The texture of teak wood is hard and ring-porous. The density of wood varies with the moisture content. It is usually 600kg/m 3 at 15%.
Types of Teak Wood on The Basis of Grade
Grade A Teak
The highest quality teak wood is Grade A teak wood. The timber in this grade is obtained from the extreme center of the log (heartwood) of a tree that is fully mature. It is recognized by a uniform golden-brown color. It has close grains and a glossy surface which is oily to touch. It has a high quantity of natural oils that are responsible for the outstanding resistance of teak wood to outdoor elements. They protect it from harsh weather conditions and repel insects. It is very pricey because it is only fifth to one-quarter of the entire log.
Grade B Teak
The timber that is obtained from the outer heartwood makes Grade B teak. It makes to about one fourth to one-third of the entire log. Thus, it is lesser in price as compared to grade A teak. It is lighter in color. Grains are uneven and the wood has less shine. It has a very small amount of teak natural oils. It does not withstand extreme outdoor conditions and needs certain protective treatments.
Grade C Teak
It is an inferior quality of teak wood. The timber is obtained from the outer sections (sapwood) of mature logs of immature trees. It contains near to no natural oils. The color is extremely uneven. It gets damaged easily because it is soft. Since it does not have any protective natural oils, it is not suitable for outdoor furniture. It is so low in quality that it is unsuitable even for indoor use. It is not even close to the durability or beauty of grade A teak. It is inexpensive. The lifespan is very short even after periodic protective treatments.
Teak Wood Advantages:
- Popular brown tint and characteristic grain
- Firm and robust
- Light wood
- Hardly disappears
- High resistance to external influences such as weathering