Teak is one of the world’s best-known hardwood timbers. Teak is renowned for its marine applications, including boat building, and a wide variety of decorative uses.
Djati, Jati (Indonesia), Kyun (Myannmar), Sagwan (India), Teck, Mai Sak (Thailand), Giati (Vietnam), Teca (Brazil)
Tectona grandis
![](/sites/default/files/styles/detail_image/public/TectonisgrandisTeak.jpg?itok=09dIDBhg)
Teak's heartwood is typically golden brown in colour, although grey and red tinges are not uncommon. The sapwood, a pale yellow colour, is clearly distinct. Grain is usually straight, but due to teak's high degree of ring porosity, longitudinal streaks and an uneven texture, ranging from coarse to smooth, are typical. The freshly cut wood can be variable in colour, with blotches and streaks, but prolonged exposure to light ameliorates the more extreme variations. Teak contains an oleoresin which gives the timber a greasy feel, and imparts a distinctive odour to freshly cut material.
Teak is a firm timber, in general easily worked. However, the timber's relatively high silica content causes severe blunting of cutting edges. For this reason, the use of tungsten-carbide blades is recommended. Teak holds nails and screws well, although pre-boring is recommended when nailing. Gluing sometimes presents difficulties because of the oily nature of the wood, and it is important to bond only freshly dressed surfaces. Teak will readily accept paints and stains. It also varnishes, polishes and waxes well. It is not suitable for steam bending. Sanding dust irritates the skin of some users.
Teak is well known for its above ground durability, with a life expectancy of greater than 40 years. In-ground life expectancy ranges from 15 to 25 years. Teak exhibits a good resistance to acids, and will not corrode metal fixings. Teak is termite-resistant, although untreated sapwood is susceptible to borer attack.
Teak is extensively used in boatbuilding for decking, rails, bulwarks, hatches, weather doors, and planking. It is also used for cooperage, pipes, and chemical vats. In general construction it is suitable for flooring, decking, framing, cladding, fascias and barge boards. Decorative uses of teak include indoor and outdoor furniture, parquetry, turnery, carving, lining and paneling.
Teak occurs naturally in the monsoon forests of India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Teak plantations have been established in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Africa, Solomon Islands, Fiji and the West Indies.
Shrinkage
Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
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Tangential : |
1.90%
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Radial : |
1.00%
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Unit Movement Tangential: |
0.19%
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Unit Movement Radial: |
0.10%
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Strength Group
![Strength groups are given for unseasoned (S1-S7) and seasoned (SD1-SD8) timber in accordance with AS 2878. S1 and SD1 yield the highest strength and stiffness whereas S7 and SD8 yield the lowest.](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
Very High |
High |
Reasonably High |
Medium High |
Medium |
Reasonably Low |
Low |
Very Low |
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Unseasoned: |
S1 |
S2 |
S3 |
S4 |
S5 |
S6 |
S7 |
S8 |
|
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Seasoned: |
SD1 |
SD2 |
SD3 |
SD4 |
SD5 |
SD6 |
SD7 |
SD8 |
|
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Stress Grade
![A stress grade is defined in AS 1720 as the classification of timber for structural purposes by means of either visual or machine grading. The stress grade indicates the basic working stresses and stiffnesses to be used for structural design purposes. Measured in MPa.](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
Structural No. 1 |
Structural No. 2 |
Structural No. 3 |
Structural No. 4 |
Structural No. 5 |
|
Unseasoned: |
F8 |
F7 |
F5 |
F4 |
|
Seasoned: |
F14 |
F11 |
F8 |
F7 |
F5 |
Density per Standard
![Seasoned density is based on moisture content of 12%. Unseasoned density is an approximation as it depends on the moisture content at the time of measurement. Measured kg/m3.](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
Seasoned: |
680kg/m3
|
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Unseasoned: |
Joint Group
![The joint group is a classification of the strength of a species in joint design. The values are from 1 (very high strength) to 6 (very low strength).](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
Very High |
High |
Reasonably High |
Medium |
Low |
Very Low |
|
Unseasoned: |
J1 |
J2 |
J3 |
J4 |
J5 |
J6 |
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Seasoned: |
JD1 |
JD2 |
JD3 |
JD4 |
JD5 |
JD6 |
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Colour
![The colour of seasoned heartwood can vary between species and often within a species. The information provided should be used as a general guide only. In most cases, the colour of sapwood is either a lighter shade of the heartwood or a white/cream colour.](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
White, yellow, pale straw to light brown | Pink to pink brown | Light to dark red | Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky | |
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Mechanical Properties
Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned: |
80
|
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Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: |
101
|
Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: |
9.4
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Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: |
10.7
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Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned: ![]() |
41
|
Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: |
58
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Impact - Unseasoned: |
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Impact - Seasoned: |
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Toughness - Unseasoned: |
Medium - 15 - 24 Nm
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Toughness - Seasoned: |
Low - up to 15 Nm
|
Hardness - Unseasoned: |
4.1
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Hardness - Seasoned: |
4.4
|
Durability
Low | Moderate | Reasonably High | High | |
(0 - 5 yrs) | (5 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 25 yrs) | (more than 25 yrs) | |
In-Ground: |
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(0 - 7 yrs) | (7 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 40 yrs) | (More than 40 yrs) | |
Above ground: |
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(0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) | (21 - 40 yrs) | (41 - 64 yrs) | (More than 60 yrs) | |
Marine Borer Resistance: |
Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: |
Susceptible |
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Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other: |
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Termite Resistance: |
Resistant
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Fire Properties
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | |
EFH Ignitibility: |
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
EFH Spread-of-Flame Index: |
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EFH Smoke-Developed Index: |
1 - non-combustible | 2 - reasonably non-combustible | 3 - slightly combustible | 4 - combustible | |
Fire Properties Group |
Group Number - Other: |
3 if used on MDF or particleboard ≥12mm; veneer thickness 0.6-0.85mm
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Average Specific Extinction Area: |
<250
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Bushfire Resistance: |
BAL 12.5 and 19 – All AS3959 required applications
|
The heartwood of teak is typically golden brown in colour, although grey and red tinges are not uncommon. The sapwood, a pale yellow, is visually distinct. Due to teak's high degree of ring porosity, longitudinal streaks and an uneven grain texture, ranging from coarse to smooth, are commonly present.
Perhaps best known for its use in boat building, teak has been extensively used for decking, rails, bulwarks, hatches, weather doors, and planking. It is also used for cooperage, pipes, and chemical vats. In general construction it is suitable for flooring, decking, framing, cladding, fascias and barge boards. Decorative uses of teak include indoor and outdoor furniture, parquetry, turnery, carving, lining and paneling.
Teak is usually relatively easy to work but silica can be present and this will necessitate frequent sharpening of tools. It peels easily and nails satisfactorily but gluing sometimes presents difficulties because of the oily nature of the wood. It is important to have freshly dressed surfaces. Good resistance to acids. Not corrosive to metal fixings. Unsuitable for steam bending because of excessive buckling. Sanding dust is irritating to the skin for some people. White inclusions of calcium oxalate sometimes appear as flecks in the vessels, lowering the value of veneer thus affected.
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