Wood Species Guide

Teak

Tectona grandis

Also called: Plantation teak, Burmese teak, Genuine teak, Teca, Indian teak, Java teak, Sagwan

Teak is the classic boat and outdoor wood: oily, very stable and naturally resistant to rot. We carry plantation teak lumber and narrow live-edge teak slabs that suit benches, shelves and bar tops.
ImportHardwoodTeak & Teak Alternatives
Good forTabletops & SlabsOutdoor & Rot-Resistant

What Teak looks like

Golden to medium brown heartwood that darkens with age. Plantation teak often shows more contrast, with pale yellow sapwood and some darker streaks. Left outdoors unfinished, it weathers to a silver gray.

Grain and texture

Straight to slightly wavy grain with a coarse, uneven texture and a slightly oily feel. Wild, slow-grown teak is tighter and more even; fast-grown plantation trees have wider rings and more color variation.

Working Teak: planing, cutting and gluing

Teak cuts and planes nicely, but its natural silica dulls blades quickly, so use carbide. The oils can interfere with glue, so wipe surfaces with acetone right before gluing and clamp soon after. It sands well, but the dust is fine and irritating.

Finishing Teak: oil, film finishes and epoxy

The natural oil makes film finishes and epoxy struggle to bond. Wipe with acetone, let it flash off, then apply a seal coat or finish right away. Teak oil or hardwax oil is the easy route indoors; outdoors, you can oil it or let it go gray.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Heartwood is very durable against rot and insects, and it's one of the most stable woods there is. That stability and rot resistance is why it's the standard for boat decks, lanai furniture and Florida outdoor projects. Sapwood is not durable, so cut it off for outdoor use.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

We carry teak as live-edge slabs and as plantation teak lumber. The slabs tend to be narrow, which makes them perfect for benches, shelves, bar tops and mantels. Plantation teak has more sapwood and color variation than old-growth teak, but it's just as easy to work and still holds up outside. For a lanai table in Fort Myers, teak is one of the few woods we'd trust with the weather.

Common uses for Teak

Boat decks and trim, outdoor furniture, bathroom vanities and shower benches, cutting boards, flooring, veneer and carving.

Sustainability and CITES status

Teak is not listed in the CITES Appendices. Wild teak has declined sharply in its native range, and Myanmar (Burmese) teak is subject to US sanctions. Most teak sold today is plantation-grown, including the plantation teak lumber we stock.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating HighWhat the ratings mean
  • Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
  • Skin irritation
  • Respiratory / asthma
  • Eye irritation

Teak is a well-known cause of allergic skin rashes in woodworkers, and its dust can also inflame the eyes and airways. Once you become allergic, small exposures can set off a reaction.

In the shop
Dust extraction + respirator; gloves and long sleeves when sanding or machining
Food contact
Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.

Teak is a known sensitizer. Dust can cause eye, skin and breathing irritation and rashes. Use dust collection and a respirator when sanding.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared

Teak in stock now

Live edge slabs in stock (10)Hardwood lumber in stock (1)

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Similar woods: Teak & Teak Alternatives

See the Teak & Teak Alternatives group guide

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