Teak (Tectona Grandis) is truly among the most stunning and natural hardwood materials that can be used for all aspects of an architectural project, either indoors, such as teak flooring, paneling or in the exterior spaces, like decking and landscaping projects. The species is native to Southern Asian regions, but owing to the increasingly high demands that makes it a worldwide favorite, plantations have been spread throughout tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and also Latin America.

Teak heartwood tends to be a golden brown, which darkens with age. The heartwood requires long rotations in its plantations. Studies in India have found that rotations which are longer than 8 years are required for the production of high-value timber logs. Teak deck provides considerable aesthetic appeal that is in harmony with its natural surroundings.

Teak's texture is another particular feature that makes it a great timber choice for decking. The grains are straight, though some logs appear to be interlocked or wavy. The authentic feel of unfinished teak is what makes it outstanding and superior to synthetic decking materials. Teak's extremely closed-grained texture promises to provide a comfortable underfoot surface, either sitting, walking, or even lying down.

Depending on your colour preference, you can choose to stain your teak decking boards, given the fact that teak's dimensional stability makes this process totally workable. Another option is to leave teak's natural color on display, unstained, you are fond of the natural look of teak. You can add a clear finish as a seal. When left to age naturally, teak decks transform to a silver shade.

For homeowners who are environmentally-conscious, you will be glad to know that teak is a sustainable material and is not listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) of Threatened Species – a renowned international organization whose job involves sustainable use of natural resources, and nature conservation. It is worth noting that a wood deck is a far more eco-beneficial choice, as compared to other man-made synthetic materials such as plastic or composite decks, which are non-renewable.

Finally, thanks to teak's spectacular dimensional stability, it is virtually suitable for all possible applications. It is also important to note that teak is not as hard as some of the other hard woods and need to be used with caution in high traffic area. Talk to an experienced contractor to make sure your ideas are structurally and visually well executed.

For several hundreds of years, teak wood has been used for home construction, furniture building and most impressively, shipbuilding. Thus, the fact that it can endure harsh conditions and constant water contact at sea for centuries makes teak hardwood the ideal choice for flooring to be installed in humid areas such as bathrooms or kitchens. Basically, this particular wood flooring can work in almost any room. Teak is the most dimensional stable type of flooring for areas that may have more moisture but lower traffic. High heels or spikey sport shoes are not recommended on teak flooring or any other wood flooring.

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