Why use teak? Because the "King of Woods" is one of the world's most valuable and prized tropical hardwoods. Here are five benefits teak offers to you:
#1. Beauty
Teak adds beauty to any setting. Whether it's your home, business or other location, the wood brings a golden warmth to it. If you prefer wood with a light look, then only add a clear topcoat. But to highlight your teak's rich grain pattern, colors and pizazz, simply rub in three coats of teak oil.
#2. Durability
Teak is famous for lasting much longer than other woods. The boards have high amounts of oil and silica. These two natural ingredients protect the teak from moisture, rot, pests and fungus. Teak's ability to handle harsh elements has made it especially popular for boats and coastal settings, as well as outdoor decking, patio furniture and planter boxes. With a Janka Hardness Scale score of 1,000 to 1,150, teak is more than twice as hard as California redwood, which has a hardness score of 450.
#3. Versatility
People use teak for a wide range of purposes. You can use teak for projects big or small. Indoors or outdoors. Simple or elaborate. Functional or artistic.
#4. Flexibility (Maintenance)
All wood products require maintenance, even indoor ones. Upkeep is especially important outdoors, where sun and rain take a heavy toll. You can maintain your teak with cleaning and fresh coats of teak oil. But if you don't want to do the maintenance, that's okay. Your teak will turn a stately silver, patina color. The photo shows an example: one of our chemical-free outdoor garden boxes that turned a silvery gray.
#5. Sustainability
Teak and teak furniture from Asia have a terrible track record. Buying it supports sweat shops, torture, corruption, military dictatorships, illegal logging and rain forest destruction. But 'farmed teak' from Costa Rica avoids this social and environmental baggage. You can get genuine teak (Tectona grandis) without all the worries. You can even trace your 'conservation teak' to the place where it was grown. The Sustainability page provides more details.
Bottom Line: Teak is the wood of choice for high-end projects, and you can now have direct access to its many benefits.