The Test Cut

Wood Species

Teak

Tectona grandis

Janka hardness
1070 lbf
Specific gravity
0.63
Workability
Easy to machine despite high silica content dulling blades; excellent natural weather resistance
See Teak with a finish on itPreview oils, poly, shellac and more on this species in the Finish Simulator — plus the sanding plan each one needs.
A board of Teak -- golden to olive-brown, with the coarse texture and soft, slightly oily sheen natural teak oil gives it.
A board of Teak -- golden to olive-brown, with the coarse texture and soft, slightly oily sheen natural teak oil gives it.

Teak (Tectona grandis) is a golden-to-medium-brown tropical hardwood from Southeast Asia, and it's been the standard for outdoor furniture, boat decking, and anything demanding decay resistance without a film finish for about as long as anyone's been keeping track.

Working Properties

Teak is fairly easy to machine, with one catch — silica content up to about 1.4% noticeably dulls cutting edges regardless of how gently you treat it. Its natural oils leave a faintly greasy surface feel and can throw off gluing and finishing unless you wipe the surface with solvent first. Reported hardness ranges by source (roughly 1,000-1,150 lbf), which tracks with real variation between plantation-grown and old-growth stock.

Safety

Teak has been reported as a sensitizer; dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in some woodworkers.

Typical Uses

Outdoor furniture, boat decking and trim, flooring, and countertops.

Images

A board of Teak -- golden to olive-brown, with the coarse texture and soft, slightly oily sheen natural teak oil gives it.

Raw Wood: A board of Teak -- golden to olive-brown, with the coarse texture and soft, slightly oily sheen natural teak oil gives it.