New And Reclaimed Teak Wood Has Beauty And Durability

bullet imagebullet imageTeak wood outdoor furniture is more expensive than furniture made of other woods. There is a good reason for this. Teak wood has advantages that make it more durable than many other kinds of wood. Teak wood is elegant, yet durable, and insect impervious. Teak wood outdoor furniture will outlast the cheaper wood competition by years, making it a cost-effective purchase. Reclaimed teak wood can be made into many furniture and teak siding flooring products that have both beauty and durability. Those who want to go green will have an environmentally friendly product in teak.



There are different qualities of teak and different harvesting protocols. Though teak is harvested in S.E. Asian countries such as Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Only Indonesia has a government sponsored forest reserve and harvesting company called PT Perhutani where a new tree is planted for each tree that is cut down for harvest. This is a good example of sustainable harvesting. Companies using the best green harvesting and production practices are given LEED certification or FSC certification. Mature teak, up to 80 years old, gives the best wood. It is tempting to harvest younger trees to meet the growing demand for teak. Many companies do. The best of the mature teak is the heart wood, or inner layers of the tree. The outer layers, or sapwood, are inferior.

When the best teak is used, it is a very superior product. This teak has special oils and rubber within its grain that help make it naturally weather resistant, and durable. It is able to ward off dry rot, insects, parasites, and fungi. The best teak wood is dried to 10% of its original moisture content. The elegance and durability of both newly harvested and reclaimed teak wood make it worth the extra investment.

Teak wood flooring is becoming more popular for rooms like kitchens and bathrooms where there is moisture. Traditional wood flooring, including oak and pine, can be damaged by moisture and spills. They may plump, expand, stain, or warp with repeated water spills. A strong polyurethane finish will protect the top layer, but water seeping into seams can still be a problem. New or reclaimed teak wood flooring has a denser grain and because of its natural properties is moisture tolerant. Because of these factors, teak wood flooring is a good choice for bathrooms and kitchens. The best teak flooring to purchase will have LEED and FSC certifications for environmentally responsible lumbering and manufacturing practices. For more information, please visit the website.