Teak flooring: A rare and resistant wood

If you’re thinking about adding natural wood flooring to your home, but aren’t sure what type of wood you want, it might be a good idea to explore the different types and get a feel for what suits you best. Here is some information on teak flooring, and you can explore our articles for information on other wood types.

Teak varies widely from a cream color to a dark golden brown. The sapwood (or the live wood outside of the heartwood) gives off a light creamy color, while the heartwood (or the dead or dormant center of a tree) runs from a yellow-brown to a darker golden-brown. Heartwood also gets richer when exposed to sunlight. Its texture is straight, uneven, and coarse.

As far as working with teak goes, for instance if you are installing the floor yourself, keep in mind that with this wood, the sandpaper may need to be changed often. Also, the natural oils in teak can repel the finish, you can solve this problem by removing surface resins with a solvent that is compatible with the finish you decide to use.

This type of flooring can be hard to find, as it is a rare and precious wood which grows in Burma. It has a medium strength and is highly stable and resistant to abrasion.

For more information about teak flooring or related products, choose from one of the following links:

Hardwood Flooring | Wood Flooring | Bamboo Flooring