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Teak

Tectona grandis
Verbenaceae Hardwood Western Africa · Middle Africa · Melanesia · Central America · Southern Asia · … 66 data values

Teak — species record from The Wood Explorer historical and technical reference collection.

Teak wood
Teak
Historical Source Data Original source values are preserved 6 linked images 71 source references 26 linked countries

At a glance

Scientific nameTectona grandis
Trade / common nameTeak
FamilyVerbenaceae
RegionWestern Africa · Middle Africa · Melanesia · Central America · Southern Asia · South-Eastern Asia · Asia · South-eastern Asia · Southern Africa · Northern Africa · Africa · Caribbean
Distribution
Teak is indigenous to India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina and Java, but it has been extensively planted for timber or as an ornamental within its natural range and throughout the tropical regions of the world, including East and West Africa, the West Indies, from Cuba and Jamaica to Trinidad, and from Panama to Brazil. It is also grown in southern Florida. The species has also been cultivated experimentally or at low elevations in Puerto Rico.
Uses
Agricultural implements, Balusters, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical containers, Chests, Clogs, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Lock gates, Mathematical instruments, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Novelties, Oars, Paneling , Paneling, Piling, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Plywood: veneer (marine), Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Sills, Sporting Goods, Structural work, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels, Windows

Countries & Distribution

These country connections come directly from the same SQL country–species bridge used by Country Detail and the Global Navigator.

Wood images

Linked historical images associated with this species record.

Projects & Inspiration

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Project images are illustrative inspiration, not species-identification photographs. Suitability should be checked against the species data and project requirements.

Fine woodworkingDecorative detailsSmall crafted objects

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Appearance

Heartwood color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Brown
Purple
Black
Green/grey
Red
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Dark brown
Greenish to greyish
Darkens after prolonged exposure
The heartwood in its purest form, is a uniform dark golden-brown, without markings. But most other heartwood found in this species is dark golden yellow, which turns into rich brown with darker, chocolate-brown markings upon exposure. There is moderate to high color variation between boards
Historical Source Data
Sapwood Color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
White
Yellow
White to yellow
Well defined
Paler than heartwood
Different than heartwood
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood
Historical Source Data
Luster
Medium
Dull
Historical Source Data

Uses & Applications

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Balusters, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical containers, Chests, Clogs, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Cooperages, Decks, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Lock gates, Mathematical instruments, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Novelties, Oars, Paneling , Paneling, Piling, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Plywood: veneer (marine), Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Sills, Sporting Goods, Structural work, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels, Windows
Historical Source Data
Product Sources
Although it is higher in price than most other imports, Teak is available in veneer and lumber forms. Its consumption on the United States market is rather tiny compared to other domestic hardwoods. The wood is offered as an expensive option by many US shipbuilders, with most imports originating from Burma, which is the source of Teak with superior and the most desirable qualities. Good quality teak is difficult to acquire, and imports are usually in transit for about two months. Although US importers usually have some in stock, orders for the timber are slow to fill and can take up to a year.
Historical Source Data

Full Technical Species Profile

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Protected technical content includes physical and mechanical properties, working and drying characteristics, durability data, detailed technical observations, references and methodology.

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