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Teak

Tectona grandis

Teak is a golden-brown tropical hardwood with an oily feel. Resists moisture and wears well in marine service.

Janka

1070

Price Tier

$$$$

Dent Risk

Low
Workability
Finishing
Uses
Buying
Teak lumber surface showing straight grain and golden brown color

Overview

Teak is the benchmark for outdoor durability because the heartwood resists decay and weathering. The surface feels slightly oily, and silica can be present, which explains why cutters lose their swagger fast. Grain is usually straight but can go wavy, and the texture is coarse and ring-porous. Finishing is less about magic products and more about clean prep and realistic expectations outdoors.

Key takeaways

  • Natural oils mean wipe-down and thoughtful glue/finish choices;
  • Silica content can be high; plan on extra sharpening;
  • Outdoor performance is excellent.

At a Glance

Hardness & Heft

Janka: 1070 lbf
Dry weight: 43 lbs/ft³ (689 kg/m³)

Color & Figure

Color: Golden brown

Grain: Straight, but can be irregular

Figure: Striped figure

Stability & Movement

Movement: Medium

Drying: Dries well; checking

Workability

Plays nice with

  • Excellent decay resistance
  • Stable outdoors
  • Wears well

Fights you on

  • Oily glue surfaces
  • Silica dulls edges
  • Finicky finishing

Finishing

  • Surface Prep: Solvent wipe, 120 to 180
  • Blotch Risk: Low
  • Pores: Open

Best Uses

Great for

  • Outdoor furniture
  • Boat trim
  • Deck hardware mounts

Avoid for

  • Water-based glue
  • Perfect indoor stain
  • Cheap cutters

Where it comes from

Southeast Asia (natural); plantations throughout USA, Central America, South America, and Africa

Map highlighting India and Southeast Asia, the native growing region of teak hardwood.

Buying notes

Ask whether it’s plantation or old-growth and check for white sapwood if you need uniform color; confirm dryness for joinery.
  • Sold As: Lumber, decking, veneer
  • Look For: Tight grain, low sapwood, consistent color

What to Watch Out For

  • Silica dulling
  • Surface oils
  • Sapwood contrast

Practical Alternatives

  • Iroko
  • Mango
  • Pyinma

Shop Notes / Deeper Dive

Teak has a spicy or peppery smell which some describe as “leathery.” In the shop, it’s an abrasive snack for your sandpaper. Keep a rubber abrasive cleaning stick close to prevent sandpaper clog. It’s incredibly oily, so you must wipe the joints with solvent immediately before gluing or your project will fall apart. Skip the water-based glues and fancy stains—stick to oils that let the natural silica-rich wood breathe.

Like what you see?

While I occasionally work with some of these species, availability varies widely. If you’re researching woods for a custom project, feel free to reach out.

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Reference Notes:  Wood grain and color can vary significantly within a species depending on growing conditions, age, and cut orientation. Images on this page are provided as general reference examples and may not represent every possible variation of the species. Geographic distribution maps illustrate typical native or commonly cultivated ranges and may not reflect every region where the species occurs today.

Additional technical data and botanical information may be referenced from sources such as the USDA Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook.