Spotlight on: Teak, Burmese Teak
Tectona grandis
Reflecting on the replacement, NIkolajevich and Smith were thrilled with the outcome. "When the decks were finished we were overjoyed. The teak and the workmanship were a thing of beauty. Our boat looked fantastic, like a mini mega-yacht," said Smith. Thankfully these techniques now make similar outcomes accessible to more boat owners who love the look and performance of teak.
Spotlight On: Teak, Burmese Teak
Species: Tectona grandis
Origin: Native to Southern Asia. Also widely grown on plantations throughout tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Common Applications: Ship and boatbuilding, veneer, furniture, flooring, cabinets, exterior construction, carving, turnings, and small wood objects.
Characteristics/Appearance: Heartwood is golden to medium brown, the color darkening with age. Grain is straight or occasionally wavy or interlocked. Teak has a coarse, uneven texture and moderate to low natural luster. Raw, unfinished wood surfaces have a slightly oily or greasy feel due to natural oils that protect the wood from insects and rot.
Janka Hardness Scale: 1,070 lb_f (see chart on page 15)
Comments: Teak is one of the most desirable woods in the world because of its superb stability, strength, and outstanding resistance to decay and rot. It is generally easy to work with, although its high silica content has a blunting effect on cutting edges. Despite its natural oils, teak glues and finishes well, though prepping with solvent prior to gluing/finishing is sometimes necessary.
Frequently asked questions
How did Nikolajevich and Smith react to their boat's teak deck replacement?+
They were overjoyed with the finished decks, praising both the teak and the workmanship. Smith said their boat looked fantastic, like a mini mega-yacht.
Why does Burmese Teak sometimes require solvent prep before gluing or finishing?+
Teak contains natural oils that give raw surfaces a slightly oily or greasy feel. Despite these oils, teak glues and finishes well, though prepping with solvent prior to gluing or finishing is sometimes necessary.
What effect does Burmese Teak's silica content have on woodworking tools?+
Teak is generally easy to work with, but its high silica content has a blunting effect on cutting edges.
How does the color of Burmese Teak heartwood change over time?+
The heartwood of Burmese Teak is golden to medium brown, and the color darkens with age.
Where is Burmese Teak (Tectona grandis) grown outside its native range?+
While native to Southern Asia, Teak is also widely grown on plantations throughout tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
What is the Janka hardness rating of Burmese Teak?+
Burmese Teak has a Janka hardness rating of 1,070 lb_f.