Teakwood is the most preferred hardwood material for making wooden furniture. This is mainly due to the unique natural properties of teakwood. It is known for its durability and strength, which prevents it from bending or cracking. Pests and insects cannot damage the wood and it does not rot due to moisture. It is also due to its classic appearance which is not affected due to harsh weather conditions. In short, teakwood furniture symbolizes grace and offers high value in return for your investment. 

Continue reading this article to learn about the various unique properties of teakwood, its unmatched quality, and the advantages of using teakwood furniture.

The Rich History and Value

Teakwood has been used extensively to make top-quality furniture for centuries. Boats and temples are also made from teakwood since ancient times or early civilizations. Historically, the royal look, durability, and functionality of teakwood made it the favourite choice of aristocrats and royal families. They used it to make beds and other furniture items, including palaces, temples, bridges, and more.

It is also the most favoured material for creating fine furniture, boats, and architecture, and it displays complex craftsmanship in Southeast Asia, the native place of teakwood. So, if you have teakwood furniture at home, it will add historical elegance and value to your home.

Unique Properties of Teakwood

Teakwood is most notable among all other types of wood due to its unique natural properties or characteristic features.

• Color: Teakwood is naturally golden brown in color. This gives a unique rich look to the teakwood furniture. 
• Surface: The smooth surface of teakwood and the natural straight grains increase its beauty. However, it can be wavy in a few cases, which even adds to the beauty of teakwood.
• Density: Good quality teakwood is usually solid. This density makes it unaffected by wear and tear. This adds to its durability, making teakwood furniture an excellent choice to use daily, such as customized pooja mandaps and console tables.
• Resistance: Moisture and water do not affect teakwood. So, it does not expand or contract easily due to weather conditions which makes it good to use for indoor or outdoor furniture to be used in humid or dry settings. 
• Natural oil content: Pests, termites and other wood-eating insects cannot affect teakwood due to the high concentration of natural oils in it. These oils also improve its durability, smooth finish, look, and prevent decay.

The Ultimate Guide to Teakwood Mandirs and Furniture: Benefits and Care

Now, let us understand the effects and benefits of all these natural properties of teakwood, one by one. 

Durability and Longevity of Teakwood

All of the above features of teakwood make it so long-lasting and ideal for furniture items where design, appeal, and physical integrity are important. It will last for several decades and still retain its look and shape, even in rough conditions and environments. 

It will not degrade quickly when exposed to unstable temperatures. It will not crack or bend under pressure, and therefore, it is the best choice to make high-and-rough-use furniture items like rocking chairs or folding chairs.

Teakwood furniture needs very little maintenance and treatment for years to retain its new look, thereby adding more value to your investment in teakwood furniture. It will also not bend under load or crack easily due to age as the softer wood would This is due to the high density of wood. 

High Resistance to Decay and Humidity 

The high resistance of teakwood against moisture that prevents decay is a unique aspect that differentiates teakwood from other types of hardwoods. This is because natural oils present inside prevents moisture from affecting its strength. This is why it is suitable for making outdoor furniture or even boats and other marine decorations. 

Teakwood will not rot easily as it will not absorb moisture. Also, teakwood furniture will not break down as easily as other wooden furniture would due to rotting, whether it is a floor-rested temple or love seats since the natural oil content acts as the barrier that prevents decay.

Excellent Strength of Teakwood

Teakwood is very strong. It can bear heavy and rough use and still not bend or crack. So, you can rock and relax every day on your rocking chair or read a book sitting on the bedroom chair before going to bed. You do not have to worry about fast and frequent wear and tear.

So, you can rely on teakwood to make wooden furniture items that need tough support and allow heavy use like the big wooden mandirs or a small console table.

The strength and durability of teakwood are due to its high density, which holds up heavy pressure even after decades of use and maintains its shape and functionality, unlike other softwood materials. 

Timeless and Beautiful Look of Teakwood

Teakwood has a natural golden color. This natural color makes teakwood furniture look more beautiful than other wooden furniture. The color adds a touch of class to the furniture and warmth that will add new meaning and beauty to the place. Whether it is a small wooden temple for a home or a bedroom chair, color and design will add to the timeless look and versatility of the space. 

Most importantly, the style and timeless beauty of teakwood furniture will never fade away, even if you have modern furniture items at home. In fact, as time goes by, unlike other wooden furniture, your wall-hanging temple or the rocking chair will look even more beautiful. This is because teakwood typically develops an attractive silver-grey patina or staining if you leave it untreated for a long time. This will give a rustic look to the place, thereby adding to the stylish look.

The attractive look of teakwood is also a feature of the natural grains that are normally straight. This gives it a clean and natural look. It will perfectly fit into old or modern design styles and interior decoration.

So, teakwood furniture becomes more gracious over time, unlike other wooden furniture items that will typically start showing signs of wear and tear. This is mainly due to the unique silver coating, commonly called the patina, developed in teakwood over time which makes teakwood furniture look more unique adding more charm to it. 

Benefits to the Environment

The value of teakwood and its growing preference for making wooden furniture in increased due to its eco-friendliness and sustainability. Reputed furniture makers like DZYN Furnitures obtain teakwood from responsible plantations. These plantations follow the best practices and guidelines for growing the Tectona grandis tree, commonly known as the teak tree, to harvest top-quality teakwood. These plantations protect natural habitats and also focus on reforestation after harvesting. 

Therefore, it is one of the most sustainable wood choices today. When you choose teakwood furniture, you indirectly contribute to nature by reducing environmental impact, supporting reforestation and reducing deforestation. Most importantly, it reduces the rising demand for non-renewable materials and supports manufacturers that prioritize and promote environmental responsibility, making teakwood a valuable resource.

Low Maintenance Requirements of Teakwood Furniture 

It is very easy to maintain teakwood furniture. This is mainly due to the presence of adequate natural oils in teakwood that prevent it from rotting, as well as insect and moisture damage. Therefore, you do not need continuous care, frequent polishing or applying protective coatings and finishes on your teakwood furniture.

You can easily add to its life and beauty by simply cleaning the furniture once in a while with a piece of cotton cloth. You may use a damp cloth if you see any stains on it to make it look just like new. This is a huge benefit for you if you lead a very busy life and have little or no time for constant upkeep of your teakwood furniture.

You do not have to worry about fading or damage even when teakwood is exposed to direct sunlight for a long period, like other wooden furniture items which makes it an ideal choice for making outdoor furniture. 

Most importantly, the silver-grey coating developing naturally on teakwood due to ageing will make it look more beautiful. However, if you do not want it and prefer the original and natural golden color, you can simply apply teak oil on your teakwood furniture once a year to retain it.

Higher Weather Resistance Properties of Teakwood

Whether it is intense sunlight, heavy rain, or cold temperatures, teakwood will stand strong against such harsh weather conditions, which is why it is the best choice for making outdoor furniture. Once again, the high natural oil content in teakwood prevents it from decaying, and the high density of wood prevents it from cracking or bending. Moreover, the ability of teakwood to tolerate UV rays prevents it from fading. 

Therefore, your teakwood furniture will not need continual repair or replacement due to exposure to the natural elements for a long time under no circumstances.

Insect Resistance Capabilities

The presence of natural oils in teakwood makes it insect-resistant. Therefore, termites, bugs, or any other wood-eating insects cannot damage it because the natural oils will prevent them. 

This is the primary reason for its durability and long-lasting value on your investment. Furthermore, it also saves you from the hassles and cost of treating it with chemical sprays frequently, as it is required with other types of wooden furniture. Therefore, teakwood furniture is much safer to have if you have children and pets at home and at the same time offers a long-term solution to insect and pest-related issues.

Design and Applications Flexibility

Teakwood is very versatile, and therefore, complex designs can be easily created out of it. It is easy to give shape to make a console table or a rocking chair, a beautiful wooden mandir or an easy-to-move folding chair.

Large or small, the design will match the existing interior décor perfectly. You can even customize your wooden furniture or a large and beautiful Pooja Mandap.

Smooth Texture and Finish 

The natural even grains and oils present in teakwood give it a smooth texture. This allows a smooth finish on any furniture item you make out of it. It adds to the beauty of the wooden furniture and stays as good as newly polished, even with little or no chemical treatments. It is always smooth to the touch, giving you a luxurious feeling.

Ideally, the texture and finish of teakwood furniture play a major role in increasing its overall value and visual appeal. It also helps in creating complex designs since artisans do not have to worry about matching the grains that are already even in pattern. This means that there will be no irregularities in the design to make it look less beautiful. The natural shine of teakwood gives it a refined appearance to suit any contemporary or conventional design and ensures the highest level of functionality.

Moreover, the smooth texture and finish of teakwood also add to the durability of the wooden furniture and enhance its beauty. This is due to the fewer imperfections in the wood. This means that there is little or no chance of it bending or breaking over time or due to excessive load put on it.

Advantages of Teakwood furniture 

So, considering all the above features and properties of teakwood, the advantages of investing in teakwood furniture can be summarized as follows:

• It is extremely durable due to its natural properties, such as dense construction and high content of natural oils. It will not expand or contract with changes in temperature or humidity. 
• It also needs minimal maintenance and polishing and stays as good as new even after decades, even if left untreated.
• It does not need frequent repair or replacement, thereby saving unnecessary expenses and adding more value to your investment in teakwood furniture.
• The rich, natural, golden color enhances its beauty. It also becomes more beautiful over time due to the silver staining effect.
• Its smooth texture and straight even grains make it easy for the craftsmen to create complex and beautiful designs with little or no additional focus on matching the grains.
• The solid nature of teakwood makes it less prone to bending under heavy loads or developing cracks over time.
• It is extremely versatile to create a wide range of wooden furniture such as rocking chairs, folding chairs, bedroom chairs, console tables, or pooja mandaps.

In short, since teakwood allows for the creation of any design or style, it is the best choice to make wooden furniture that will meet the diverse preferences, tastes, and needs of homeowners. Teakwood is even suitable for marine settings and coastal regions since it is not affected or damaged by saltwater.

Furthermore, the patina effect over time due to its exposure to natural elements and sunlight. This natural weathering ability allows teakwood to age gracefully to display an additional charm and a rustic feel, which is highly appreciated by homeowners who prefer a weathered look in their teakwood furniture. 

Therefore, in spite of the higher initial cost of teakwood furniture, it is a worthy investment that will pay rich returns over time due to its longer lifespan, unmatched durability, beauty, and functionality. 

Comparing Teakwood with Other Hardwoods

While compared with other types of hardwoods like mahogany, oak, cherry, pine, and more, teakwood stands out in all respects as the chosen material for making furniture, whether it is its superb durability, resistive properties, beauty, and maintenance requirements.

For example, the high natural oil content in teakwood makes it more efficient in preventing damage or rotting due to moisture, water, or insects. 

Also, in terms of durability and strength, teakwood beats other hardwoods as it will not crack or bend under load or temperature and humidity differences.

Furthermore, despite the high value of mahogany for its rich color, the high maintenance requirement to prevent insect damage makes it less superior to teakwood, which will last for decades without any maintenance or specific treatments.

Finally, in terms of beauty and look, the natural grains and color of teakwood set it apart from other hardwoods, once again due to its little or no treatment or staining requirements.

Ethical Sourcing and Ecofriendly Finish Benefits

There is a growing concern over environmental sustainability all over the world, and therefore, ethical sourcing is a significant consideration for customers. Typically, teakwood is ethically sourced from plantations that are specifically grown to obtain teakwood. Therefore, such harvesting does not have any effect on the environment due to deforestation.

Furthermore, these plantations strictly abide by stringent environmental regulations, and their compliance ensures that new trees are grown for every teak tree cut for harvesting wood. This helps maintain the necessary ecological balance.

In addition to ensuring environmental protection, ethical sourcing of teakwood also benefits local communities due to responsible forestation practices. It not only supports sustainable development but also creates jobs. So, buying teakwood furniture helps support both the environment and the community.

Ecofriendly Finishing Procedures 

There is a notable preference among consumers for sustainable wooden furniture that needs minimal chemical and other treatments. As a result, most reliable manufacturers are implementing eco-friendly finishing techniques to make teakwood furniture. For example, popular finishes such as beeswax and carnauba wax offer an additional protective layer and at the same time, increase the natural shine of teakwood. These eco-friendly finishes do not emit harmful chemical fumes that may harm the environment and people around it.

These specific types of eco-friendly finishes are much different from the traditional finishing procedures since they do not need to use harsh chemicals to treat the wood. This prevents harming the environment as well as people applying these chemicals on wooden furniture or using them. The natural waxes or oils in teakwood offer proper protection of the wood from moisture and insects without needing to use harmful chemicals and yet retain its natural golden color. 

In conclusion, there is no doubt teakwood is the best material to make indoor and outdoor furniture since it is strong and long-lasting. Therefore, in spite of the high initial cost, investing in teakwood furniture ensures high quality and value in return and offers complete peace of mind with its high functionality.