Teak

Teak is the gold standard for outdoor furniture wood, and it has been for over 2,000 years. Its high natural oil content, exceptional dimensional stability, and outstanding decay resistance make it one of the very few species that can handle direct weather exposure season after season without structural compromise. We use teak for solid wood outdoor furniture where long-term performance under real-world conditions is the non-negotiable requirement.

Characteristics

Tectona grandis (Lamiaceae), a Hardwood (angiosperm). Also known as Teak.

Teak heartwood is golden to medium brown with a warm, rich tone that darkens slightly with age. The grain is generally straight, though wavy and interlocked patterns appear occasionally, and the texture is coarse and uneven compared to domestic hardwoods. Freshly surfaced teak has a slight oily or waxy feel from the natural oils in the wood. Left unfinished outdoors, teak gradually silvers to a soft grey patina as the surface weathers. Many clients prefer this natural weathering and choose not to apply any protective finish, letting the wood age on its own terms.

Indoors, teak is used for Furniture, flooring, decorative veneer. Outdoor suitability: our top recommendation for solid wood outdoor furniture. Chosen for long-term outdoor performance, not just color.

Performance and Strength

Teak’s performance advantage comes from a combination of properties that no single domestic species matches. The heartwood is rated very durable against decay fungi and termites, and the natural oil content provides inherent protection against moisture absorption. Shrinkage values are among the lowest of any hardwood (radial 2.5%, tangential 5.3%), which is why teak remains dimensionally stable through wet-dry cycles that would warp or check other species. The main workability challenge is silica content, which can reach 1.4% and causes pronounced dulling of cutting edges. Carbide tooling is recommended. The natural oils also mean that surfaces may need to be wiped with solvent before gluing or applying film finishes to ensure proper adhesion.

Property	Value	What It Means
Janka hardness	1,070 lbf	Moderately hard, balancing comfort in machining with long wear
Specific gravity	0.66	Dense enough for structural outdoor work without being unmanageable
Volumetric shrinkage	7.2%	Exceptionally stable in changing humidity and weather
Decay resistance	Exceptional	Benchmark species for exterior furniture and marine exposure

Where It Comes From

Teak is native to South and Southeast Asia, with its natural range centered in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and India. Today, the majority of commercially available teak comes from plantations in Indonesia, Central America, and Africa, established to reduce pressure on diminishing natural forests. Plantation teak is the standard for furniture applications, and responsible sourcing certification (FSC or equivalent) is available for projects that require it. We source teak from sustainable international suppliers with documented chain-of-custody.

Typical harvest age: Plantation-grown teak is typically harvested on rotation cycles of 20 to 30 years, depending on site conditions and target log size. Plantation teak tends to grow faster and have wider growth rings than natural-forest teak, which can result in slightly different grain character. For furniture applications, the performance difference between well-managed plantation teak and natural-forest teak is minimal.

Sourced from sustainable international suppliers with plantation-grown stock as our standard for outdoor furniture projects. FSC-certified teak is available for projects that require documented chain-of-custody.

Cutting and Drying

Teak is sawn using standard methods: plain-sawn, rift-sawn, and quarter-sawn for dimensional lumber. Quarter-sawn teak offers the best dimensional stability for wide outdoor surfaces. Slab formats are less common than with domestic hardwoods but are available for statement outdoor tables. The wood dries well, though the drying schedule must be managed carefully to avoid surface checking in thick stock.

Recommended Finishes

Hardwax oil: For indoor teak and some protected outdoor use. Refresh as needed.
Water-based clear: Possible with proper prep for teak’s oily nature.
Polyurethane: Possible with pretreatment due to oily surface.

Teak can be left completely unfinished outdoors, which is the simplest and most common approach for exterior furniture. The wood will silver naturally over time without structural harm. If the client wants to maintain the original golden-brown color, a UV-protective teak oil or sealer can be applied periodically (typically once or twice per year), though this adds a maintenance commitment. For indoor teak, a solvent wipe before finishing is essential to remove surface oils and ensure proper adhesion of any topcoat or glue line.

Browse all options in our finishes guide.

Care and Maintenance

Daily Care

Dust with a soft, dry cloth or microfiber.
For routine cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth, then wipe dry.
Avoid abrasive sponges and harsh chemical cleaners, especially ammonia-based or silicone-containing products.
Wipe spills promptly. Use coasters and trivets for heat and water protection.

Environment

Maintain indoor humidity around 40 to 60 percent to reduce seasonal movement in solid wood.
Avoid placing the piece near heating vents, fireplaces, or prolonged direct sunlight.

Maintenance Schedule

Oil-finished surfaces: Refresh (clean, lightly abrade if needed, reapply oil) once or twice per year depending on use.
Film-finished surfaces (water-based clear, polyurethane, lacquer): Clean gently. Refinish generally only after visible wear or damage.

Repair

Oil systems: Minor scratches can often be blended by light sanding and re-oiling.
Film systems: Small scratches may be spot-repaired. Deeper damage may require sanding and refinishing the affected area.

Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor exposure increases stress on finishes.
If maintaining original color: plan periodic UV-protective oiling (often annually). Otherwise, allow natural silvering and focus on cleaning and inspection.
Avoid pressure washing. High-pressure water can erode surface fibers, increase splintering, and shorten finish life.

For more details, see our care and maintenance FAQ.

Sources

USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 2: Teak properties and durability

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