Teak – Uses, Benefits, and More

Tectona Grandis or “Teak” is one of the toughest, most exquisite deciduous woods famed for its durability and resistance to varying weathers, water, decay as well as cursed termites. It is a species of hardwood native to India, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos in South East Asia though has also been subject to translocation to various countries in Africa and Central and South America in the past century. 

Teaks’s exceptional quality for carving has gained the hardwood a special reputation in the construction of outdoor furniture, veneer, indoor flooring, carving boats, yachts, and other wood projects. It is noted under the class of high-quality woods with an ethereal brown colour, rugged tensile strength as well as carve-friendly properties. Due to the natural oils and elements present in Teak, The hardwood is coveted and prized as the best type for the construction of top-quality furniture and its everlasting glow that comes from. 

Uses

The reason teak has been such a popular been an ideal choice for wood carving for years is its exceptional natural properties. Due to its natural oils, rugged structure, and carve-friendly nature, teak is used in the construction and support of a variety of industries.  

Wood Work

Through the years of using wood for the construction of various utility items, the place of teak as an ideal wood has remained strong. Teak’s superior inherent qualities afford the carved pieces an opulence that doesn’t fade with time. The furniture made from teak is also admired for its beautiful looks and rich reddish brown colours that dovetails around interior finishes too. 

Food Industry 

Teak provides a source of sustenance to wildlife with the tree leaves having various kinds of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. In some parts of the world, teak tree leaves and flowers, are also used by humans to make laxatives and herbal beverages.  

Health Industry 

The teak tree has also proven to have various medicinal properties by various studies. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidants, anti-asthmatic, and several other properties and is used in over-the-counter medications as well as home remedies. The leaf extracts are known to work on hyperacidity, diabetes, bronchitis, leprosy, among several other diseases. 

Marine Equipment 

For building boats, yachts, and laying the interior around ships, teak has been the top choice for centuries. The reason for this is teaks’ ability to withstand varying temperatures, bugs, and complete water resistance. It is not subject to rot and decay and hence is used in all kinds of boat work and restorations. 

Benefits 

Throughout the ages, teak has been reputed as the best wood for carving furniture and seen as a symbol of luxury. Here are some of the reasons why teak is the best choice for any kind of woodwork.

Tough and Durable 

One of the reasons, teak is so widely used in the construction of outdoor furniture is due to its rugged and durable nature. On the Janka Hardness scale, teak has a rating of 1,155 lbs beating the English Oak ever so slightly by 35 lbs. And although it does not make the list of the top 10 hardest wood in the world, it is by far the most popular and coveted hardwood for all kinds of outdoor and indoor construction.

Weather Resistant 

Varying temperatures, especially in the months of winter are particularly detrimental to wood-carved furniture.  However, the natural elements within the teak wood give complete protection to the woodwork in all kinds of environments. It is also the reason why teakwood is used for the construction of marine technology  

Termite Resistant 

Not only is Teak the hardest of woods to break, withstanding varying weathers and temperatures, but it is also impervious to the silent killer – the termites. While choosing outdoor furniture, termites are a major concern. Due to the natural oils present in teak along with its high density, this hardwood is able to repel termites and other types of bugs. 

Everlasting

Because of the natural oils present in the teak wood, this hardwood has a very slow ageing process. It is one other impressive feature of teak that keeps its beauty from fading away. In fact, for most people, furniture made out of teak lasts a whole lifetime. It also does not require varnishing or veneer of any kind as the natural elements produce a special kind of honey-brown glow. 

Adaptability 

In spite of being one of the hardest wood, teak is the most favoured type of hardwood when it comes to outdoor furniture. The silica present within wood can blunt most tools easily but the final woodwork is quite the prized possession.