Teak Floor

Teak wood is a species of hardwood tree native to the southern and southeastern portion of Asia. Two of the three species of teak are endangered, and so cannot legally be used as a teak floor. The third variety, however, comes from the Tectona Grandis tree – called Common Teak – which speaks volumes about its plentiful and easily renewable nature. Because this third type of teak is so readily available, a true teak floor is something anyone can buy at a sensible price if they wish.

A teak floor is a highly attractive choice for flooring because of the special attributes inherent in teak wood. First, as a hardwood, teak wood is exceptionally strong, sturdy, and durable, yet when properly treated is also flexible, which helps prevent splitting and warping. Second, teak is a tree not native to the threatened rainforests, so it is a wood you can buy without fear or guilt of severe environmental impact. The greatest and most special attribute of teak wood, however, is teak oil. These oils build up in the wood as the tree grows and remain after it has been cut, offering a teak floor special types of protection. The oils in teak wood made the teak floor resistant to both water and sun, and even to wood eating insects. These oils stay in the wood for decades without requiring any maintenance on part of the owner.

These useful attributes of teak wood have made it a material of common use in Asia, particularly for aquatic items such as boats and docks. In more recent years, however, teak has become a popular wood for carpentry and construction the world over. The teak floor specifically has proven extremely attractive to western buyers. Not only does the oil in a teak floor make flooring water and weather resistant, but teaks natural strength makes it perfect for withstanding heavy traffic. Like all hardwoods, teak has a dense, durable grain, which means you can walk on it without fear of damaging the teak floor. In addition, a teak floor is as easy to clean as any other flooring option, and likely easier. Teak oil resists stains and soiling just as it resists water, so almost any stain can be cleaned with a bit of soap and water on a rag. Those rare stains that cannot be cleaned thus – such as wine – can be gotten out by wiping down the area with teak oil. This oil is the same type as is in the wood, and can be bought from most teak dealers.

A teak floor is desirable for reasons even beyond its resilient protective nature. Not only is standard teak a very attractive wood, but it can actually change color as it ages. When teak ages or weathers the oils inside change chemically. This doesn’t change the protective attributes of the wood or its strength, but it does give the wood a beautiful silver gray patina. This patina look is extremely popular, sometimes more popular than the classic brown look. The look is so desirable that an entire category of antiques called Dutch Modern, which highlight this teak patina, have become highly collectable.

This high demand for teak would have resulted in serious problems of supply with many other tree species. Fortunately, teak wood is very plentiful because of the plantation system established in southern Asia. These massive teak plantations are often government subsidized, and ensure that the supply of teak will keep up with its ever-increasing demand. Because of this a teak floor is a reasonable purchase, both in terms of availability and price.

If you do buy a teak floor, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, a teak floor is so durable and strong that it is likely to last your entire life without wearing down and needing replacing, unlike just about any other type of flooring. Make sure you like the teak floor you’re putting in enough to keep it for decades. Next, remember that a teak floor will look different as it ages. If you want the standard brown look, young-growth teak wood is fine. If you want the silvery patina look, however, you’ll need to see if old-growth flooring is available. If it is, it will be more expensive. Finally, younger teak wood is not as strong and durable as older wood, and it does not offer the same degree of water and weather protection. The more a teak tree matures, the stronger and more protective its wood becomes. As most trees from teak plantations are cut before they can fully mature, it’s hard to find a teak floor made from old-growth trees. If you want and are willing to pay for the best quality teak floor, search for a highly graded old-growth teak.