Teak Wood for Various Purposes and Its Benefits
Teak wood is versatile and can be used for the most diverse purposes: as part of construction, furniture, household utensils, part of the shipbuilding and even for the manufacture of bicycles! But what makes this wood so special? Teak wood is a yellowish brown timber with good grains and texture. It is used in the manufacture of furniture, boat decks, and other articles where weather resistance is desired.
Origin of Teak Wood
Because Myanmar produces roughly half of the world’s teak wood and the country banned teak logging and exports of the hardwood (to protect natural habitat and rein in deforestation), more of its production has shifted to other parts of the world.
Now, Panama and Nicaragua, and to a lesser extent Paraguay, have picked up a material part of the void. The climate of Central America is similar to that of south and southEast Asia, making the land hospitable to teak forestation.
Demand for teak wood was formerly mostly limited to the developed western world. But as China opens its economy and India grows in population and increases its living standards, and general tastes become more globalized, there is more demand from these two markets as well. China and India account for close to 40 percent of the world’s population.
Other nations with teak trees living are: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, whilst some teak wood origins lie miles from Asia, within Africa and the Caribbean.
Teak comes from a large deciduous tree which grows to around 50 metres in height and can live up to 100 years in the generous sunshine.
Sadly though, due to over-logging and rabid deforestation, there is an increasingly smaller number of teak trees in the world today. As such, decisive action has been taken.
Teak is one of Indonesia’s most valuable natural resources and is protected by the Indonesian government through forest management programs. Because it can take around 80 years for a newly planted Teak tree to mature, reclaimed and antique teak is key in keeping the species alive.
It is one of the most eco-friendly materials on the market. Since teak wood has its own natural oil that makes it very durable, it is frequently used in making furniture. These are some advantages :
Noble Wood
Teak wood is considered a noble wood, due to its high durability, soft aroma, color and resistance. Therefore, it is not difficult to find luxury and innovative items made with teak wood. If you like to follow trends, this is your wood!
Resistance to Water
Teak wood trees have natural waterproofing properties that make your wood excellent for outdoor use. It is not uncommon to find decks, benches and garden tables made of teak wood. In addition to being moisture resistant, teak is also resistant to light and heat.
Durability
Natural properties of teak wood also make it resistant to pests and other harmful agents, contributing to its durability.
Domestic applications
These properties also make teak wood an excellent tool for kitchen and bathroom utensils. It makes possible an entire wood decoration in these places, from the sink to chopping boards and bowl.
Stiffness
Teak wood is stiffer than many common woods, so it is commonly used as a floor. Even in high-impact locations such as dance floors, aisles, and sports courts, Teak is resistant to impact, reducing the need for maintenance and conserving the look of the place for longer.
Sustainability
Teak can be actually a renewable, eco-friendly construction substance. It can be grown on government-managed, sustainable plantation forests in countries such as Indonesia and Belize. For each and every tree felled, more than just one has been implanted to displace it, making sure that teak will probably likely be available for centuries in the future. Learn about our sustainability efforts inside our Ecological declaration.
Cheap Maintenance
Teak requires no extra endings or treatments to endure for generations. Teak furniture starts having a warm, gold colour, and finally disappears into a silvery grey patina because it’s left out over time. The period of time that it can take to patina fluctuates based on the sum of sunshine coverage and also the form of setting the household furnishings is abandoned in. To remove moss, soil, and surface stains, a heated clean with soapy water and a smooth bristle brush is everything that you will need. And, however older, teak can be washed to attract back its gold hue. Furthermore, you’ll always find a broad assortment of teak care and enhancement products, from endings to sealers, so you can get your home furniture precisely how you desire to buy.
Choosing the best teak wood
The solution to durable outdoor furniture is teak wood. It was the first American company to use this material while carefully abiding to Indonesian government law to prevent deforestation. The agreement created a controlled program that limited the number of trees to be used. This prevented harm to forests and proved that other companies could enact a program to use natural resources without harming the environment. Originally Javanese teak was used to create all furniture, however; Kingsley Bate now uses a limited amount of Burmese teak since the demand for furniture increased. Teak’s durability and style makes it a favorite among consumers looking for outdoor furniture that will survive years of all-weather climates. Teak wood is so sustainable that it is often passed down to other family members over time. There are a few types of teak wood including: Grade A Teak, Rustic Teak and Reclaimed Teak. Make sure you research how you would like your teak wood furniture to look before you buy a specific type. All types of teak wood have the same durability but have unique characteristics of their own. The following relates to Grade A Teak wood.
While it originally has a golden color, teak develops a beautiful grey color in about nine months or so depending on how long it has endured the outdoor elements. If you prefer teak’s natural golden color, it can be easily maintained by using Kingsley Bate Teak Protector. The protector needs to be applied seasonally or when fading on the wood occurs. If the greyish color begins to peak out of your natural teak furniture simply use the Kingsley Bate Teak Cleaner. It will restore teak furniture back to its naturally beautiful state found when first purchased. While exposed to the outdoors, teak may get small cracks throughout time outside. Don’t worry about these minor flaws, they are just the wood expanding and it will add to the uniqueness of the wood maturing. An added bonus to this already loved wood is it’s easy cleaning process. A soft bristle or sponge works great with a simple solution of soap, bleach and water.