How To Identify Teak Wood Furniture?

Teak is possibly the most popular among the various types of wooden furniture. It has a beautiful grainy pattern and is highly durable, making it a preferred choice among furniture enthusiasts. Now the question is how to identify teak wood furniture and know it is authentic?

Teak comes from Tectona grandis, a tree native to tropical regions in the Pacific, South America, and Asia. Initially, it was used by shipbuilders, but now it is a widely accepted option for furniture. Besides durability, teak wood can naturally repel rot and water. Due to these reasons, real teak is often more expensive than other wood. 

To buy teak wood furniture, you must first learn what real teak looks like. Many wood types look similar but don’t have the qualities of teak. So, it’s common to get confused when you go out for furniture shopping.

In this guide, we will tell how to identify teak wood so that you can buy authentic pieces for your home.

How To Identify Teak Wood Furniture?

Though expensive, buying teak wood furniture is a significant investment, especially if you want quality and longevity. However, not all teak wood is of the same quality. Before you get new pieces home, you must learn to identify teak wood furniture. 

Here are some key factors to consider:

Colour Variation

One of the easiest ways to identify good quality teak is by colour. Primarily, there are two categories of teak, including heartwood and sapwood. Heartwood, found at the tree’s core, ranges from dark brown to golden brown. Also, it is denser, stronger, and more resistant to damage.

On the other hand, sapwood is the tree’s outer layer and has a yellowish-white appearance. It contains more moisture; therefore, it is less durable than heartwood. Since high-quality teak wood furniture is mainly made from heartwood, always check if it has rich, deep brown hue characteristics.

Weight and Smell

High-quality teak wood has a unique, leather-like aroma because of its high natural oil content. This not only gives it a distinctive scent but also enhances its durability and resistance to moisture.

As far as weight is concerned, genuine teak is moderately heavy. So, if the furniture feels porous or lightweight, it is likely made from a different material like plywood or particle board. Teak’s natural density makes it sturdier and longer-lasting than most other woods.

Staining and Aging

Many furniture sellers stain teak wood to enhance its appearance or hide its poor quality. Before you purchase, ask whether the wood has been stained. Genuine teak develops a beautiful silver-grey colour as it ages, but stained wood may peel or fade over time.

Another way to determine the authenticity of the wood is by checking its ageing process. If it’s an actual teak, it will naturally darken over time. However, if a seller claims a piece is aged but appears too light, it may not be genuine teak.

Grain Pattern

The wood grain is a significant indicator of whether the teak is real. Authentic teak has a uniform grainy pattern, but in some cases, the appearance is slightly wavy, depending on how the wood was cut.

However, if the grain appears too artificial or irregular, it could mean the furniture is made of a different type of wood. This is why you should inspect the grain closely to ensure you invest in an authentic piece.

Water Retention

Teak wood has natural oils that make it highly water-resistant. When checking for authenticity, place a few drops of water on the surface and see if the water beads up and sits on top for a while. If it does, it is teak. However, if the wood absorbs the water quickly, it may be a lower-quality material.

For a more thorough test, put a small piece of wood in water for 24 hours. Fake teak will swell and absorb moisture, while real teak will mostly stay the same.

Resistance

Many people prefer teak because of its excellent resistance to environmental conditions. In case you didn’t know, high-quality teak wood is resistant to fungal growth and insect infestations. Its natural oils and density protect it from mould, mildew, and insects.

Teak is also resistant to weather changes. No matter the weather, it remains strong and intact in all seasons. This makes it an excellent choice for making outdoor furniture.

Pricing

Compared to other wood types, teak is the most expensive. The high price reflects its rarity and durability. If a seller offers teak furniture at a low cost, it is likely fake.

Many alternatives like plywood, MDF, and particleboard are cheaper but are marketed as teak furniture. To avoid overpaying for inferior materials, conduct the tests we mentioned above.

Different Types of Teak Wood

Now that you know how to identify teak wood, let’s focus on the available types. Teak wood can be put into different categories based on quality level and characteristics. Understanding the differences can help you choose the best teak for your needs.

Let’s start with the teak grades first. Here is a brief rundown of the different teak grades available:

Grade A

This is the highest quality teak sourced from the heartwood of trees, at least 25 years old. It boasts a rich golden-brown colour, high natural oils percentage, and minimal knots. This makes it highly durable and resistant to the elements. The wood is precisely machine-cut and undergoes a specialised drying process that helps maintain its quality.

Grade B

A step below Grade A, this type comes from the less mature part of the heartwood, which is why it has more visible knots and lower natural oil content. Also, the colour is slightly duller than Grade A. While still suitable for furniture, it doesn’t offer the same level of weather resistance as Grade A teak.

Grade C

This is the lowest Grade of teak wood taken from sapwood, the youngest part of the tree. It often has white streaks, more knots, and a darker colour. While furniture made from Grade C teak looks attractive, it lacks the durability of higher-grade teak.

Now, let’s give you an overview of the regional varieties of teak. Here you go with the details:

Burma Teak

Considered one of the finest and most durable teak woods, Burma teak comes from the heartwood of mature trees. It has a uniform golden-brown hue and is rich in natural oils, giving it a slightly oily texture. Also, it has excellent resistance to pests and moisture.

South American Teak

South American teak is primarily grown on plantations and under controlled conditions. It has a high natural oil content and is resistant to decay. Like other teak wood types, South American teak is durable and strong. Many plantation-grown teak sources focus on sustainability, which makes them an environment-friendly alternative to naturally grown teak.

Indonesian Teak

Indonesian teak is known for its quality. It has a broader grain pattern and a light grey or brown tone compared to other teak wood. This type of teak is strong and highly durable, making it an excellent choice for construction and furniture.

Is Teak Furniture Heavy Or Light?

Teak is a dense hardwood known for its strength and durability. As far as its weight is concerned, it depends on several factors like the Grade, type, and size of the furniture.

Teak has a tight, closed-grain structure that makes it naturally heavier than many other types of wood. The tightly packed cellulose fibres and the presence of natural oils make teak high density. For this reason, it is strong and durable and resistant to moisture, pests, and decay.

The heaviest and most durable teak is Grade A, taken from mature trees’ heartwood. On the other hand, Grade B teak is slightly less heavy than Grade A. As for Grade C teak, it is the lightest of the three.

When buying teak furniture, feel its weight and sturdiness. If a piece feels light, it may not be made of solid teak or could be a lower grade. High-quality teak furniture tends to be heavy and more well-balanced.

If you want furniture pieces that are easy to move, choose smaller pieces or those made with lighter teak grades. However, if durability and longevity are your top priorities, heavier teak furniture is the best choice.

Why Teak Is Great For Outdoor Furniture?

Teak is a strong and durable hardwood that is widely used for furniture and construction. Thanks to its natural oil, teak resists decay, water, and insects, allowing it to last for years, even under the open sky.

Here’s why teak is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture:

Beautiful Appearance

One of the main reasons people love teak is its stunning look. Freshly cut teak has a warm golden-brown colour that gives the furniture an elegant touch. If left untreated, it becomes a classy silver-grey shade over time. Also, teak doesn’t develop black spots or a patchy appearance like other wood types.

Incredible Durability

Teak is one of the most durable hardwoods available out there. Unlike other wood types, it can handle weather conditions without warping, cracking, or weakening. Not only that, but it also doesn’t rust even if it comes in contact with metal.

Sustainability

Teak is a protected wood, meaning it is grown and harvested to prevent deforestation. Many teak furniture makers use FSC-certified teak, which comes from managed forests and ensures that the wood is harvested in an environment-friendly way. This makes it a perfect choice for those conscious about the planet and deforestation.

Weather-Resistant

Teak can withstand extreme weather conditions, unlike other wood types, including sunlight, snow, and rain. It will not lose its strength even if exposed to harsh conditions for years. This is why teak furniture is highly durable and sturdy. Even though the colour may change over time, the durability and quality remain intact for decades.

Strong 

Compared to most other wood, teak is more substantial and requires no unique treatments to stay in good condition. It produces its natural oils that keep it safe from damage. So, if you want your furniture to last long, teak is the answer.

Resistant Decay and Pests

One of the teak’s best qualities is it’s highly resistant to pests and decay. It contains natural oils that act as a barrier against termites and other pests. In other words, it keeps the furniture in excellent shape for years and with minimal effort.

Final Words

Knowing how to identify teak wood furniture can save you from sellers trying to fool you. When investing in a new piece, check its colour, grain pattern, weight, smell, and everything else outlined in this post. This will help you determine if the wood is authentic, fake, or poorly quality.

FAQs

How can you tell if the wood is teak?

You can identify teak wood by checking its colour, grain pattern, smell, weight, and water resistance.

How do you tell the Grade of a teak?

To determine the Grade of teak, observe its grain pattern, colour, surface finish, and oil content. Higher grades teak has a uniform golden-brown colour, glossy sheen, tight grains, and a higher oil content than lower grades teak.

What colour is natural teak wood?

When freshly cut, natural teak wood has a golden or honey-brown colour. But it darkens and changes to a silvery-grey over time.

How do you check wood quality?

To assess wood quality, you must check density, grain texture, and water absorption factors.

How do you identify wood?

To identify wood, check its grain pattern, texture, colour, hardness, size and weight. Also, unique characteristics like heartwood extract should be considered.

Is teak wood hard or soft?

Teak is a hardwood known for its density, durability, and resistance to wear. It is more complicated than many other woods and can withstand harsh weather.