The History and Superiority of Teak Wood
The History and Superiority of Teak Wood
Teak wood is one of the hardest and most durable of the tropical hardwood species. Its inviting honey-toned aesthetic adds a comforting warmth to any space. Teak also has a high tensile strength and can really withstand the weighty pressures of your day-to-day life, indoors or out. Because of these features, teak has risen in popularity for many types of furniture and home decorating products.
Teak originates from the tropical climates of Southeast Asia. More specifically, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and India, are the world’s largest producers of this exceptional wood. It makes sense then that these countries were the first to use teak in the construction of their homes, tools, and boats.
Fun fact incoming! The world’s largest living teak tree is 500 years old (as of 2022), and located within the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in India. It measures 137 ft. tall and 23 ft. in girth. Wow! However, there are rivals that claim to be the “world’s largest teak tree.” Regardless, these trees can grow to magnificent heights!
Teak began gaining cross-continental popularity with European shipbuilders of the Middle Ages due to its natural oils and tight grain pattern (more on that later). In more recent history, teak has become a go-to choice for furniture and home accents.
Teak products are a remarkable choice when investing in new additions to your space. Teak is incredibly strong thanks to its tight grain. It has a high Janka Hardness rating at 1,115 pounds, and a shrinkage coefficient of 5.3%. This just means that it is very strong and resistant to shrinking. In comparison, teak is stronger than English oak and more resistant to shrinkage than red oak. Teak is also low maintenance, weather resistant, and is much less likely to be invaded by pests thanks to the high oil content mentioned earlier. It doesn’t grow irregular in color or dark with age, it transitions into an even silver-gray. This makes it great for outdoor and indoor environments, from the deck to the bathroom, from the kitchen to the living room. Federal Brace has many teak options available for your home or office.
The Teak Mantel Box can be used to modernize your fireplace and lift any space. It can also be used as an oversized floating shelf. Speaking of floating shelves, the Teak Floating Shelf offers the perfect balance between form and function. Not only is it beautiful and inviting, it has a carrying capacity of 200 pounds. It’s a gorgeous addition to any space, and is sure to last for years to come.
There’s also the Teak Shower Bench Seat. It brings the relaxing nature of a spa atmosphere to your home. The durable teak wood lends a natural look that complements both traditional and contemporary showers, and, when paired with the Stainless Georgian Bench Brackets, has a 500 pound weight capacity.
Last, but certainly not least, to be showcased in this article is our Teak Wall Cladding. These decorative wall panels add a rustic charm to any room. The panels are made of varied pieces of teak wood to give that trendy, natural look. These can be pieced together as an accent wall for your office, a headboard for your bedroom, an addition to your furniture, and anything else your heart desires. They’re perfect for upgrading that odd space into a gorgeous accent wall. The applications are endless!
Teak has long been a valued choice for homes and offices, even for the wide-open seas. Its durability, higher strength and hardness, protection against humidity, and resistance to developing disfiguring cracks and splits, makes teak a great choice for your space! Federal Brace has chosen Teak as the “wood of choice” to most often accompany the designer side of our product offerings and will continue to do so. Why wouldn’t we, when Teak is so FantasTEAK?
