Teak Wood Decking Cape Town
Adding a deck to your home, or upgrading your current deck, is a great way to add value to your home and increase its curb appeal. One of the most important components of a deck is the wood that it is made of. You want to choose a wood that will not only reflect your unique style but will also be able to handle anything thrown at it.
Teak wood is naturally resistant to extreme heat and cold.
Teak wood has some amazing natural properties that make it a perfect choice for any manner of deck applications. Not only is teak one of the most gorgeous varieties of hardwood, but it also produces a natural oil that repels termites and other insects that could harm the structural integrity of your deck. Teak wood is one of hardest deck wood options and will not splinter over time like other softer woods. Because it is naturally water resistant, teak wood will not warp or crack from exposure to wet environments and does not require the use of a sealant to protect it. This makes teak wood an excellent choice for areas with a wet climate, or areas where the deck will be exposed to a lot of moisture.
Teak wood requires little to no maintenance after it has been installed.
Teak’s high tensile strength, oil content, and tight grain make it particularly suitable for applications where weather resistance is desired, and a properly installed teak wood deck will look good for decades. Teak oil can be applied to the wood to give it a pleasant golden hue, or, if left to age naturally, teak will develop into a natural silver color. Aged teak wood is one of the most attractive outdoor wood styles available today.
| Name | Teak (Tectona grandis) |
| Type | Hardwood |
| Other Names | Also known as Burma teak, Rangoon teak, moulmein teak, giathi, jatisak, kyun, maisak, rosawa, and many other local names. |
| Sources | Grows in Indonesia, India, and Central America. |
| Appearance | Generally straight grained with a coarse, uneven texture, medium luster and an oily feel. Yellow brown to dark golden brown heartwood and grayish or white sapwood. |
| Physical Props | Moderately hard and heavy, with low stiffness and shock resistance, moderate bending strength, moderate steam bending, and excellent decay resistance and dimensional stability. Good acid resistance. |
| Working Props | Works reasonably well with hand or machine tools but silica in wood is tough on cutting edges and machine dust can be an irritant. Good turning and carving properties. Gluing best done on freshly cut surfaces due to oily nature. Pre-drilling recommended for screwing and nailing. Stains and finishes well although natural oils can cause adhesion difficulties. |
| Uses | Has numerous uses including ship building (especially decks), indoor or outdoor furniture, high class joinery, flooring, panelling, plywood, decorative veneers, turnery, carving, chemical tanks and vats. |