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14 March, 2023
Posted by
Rowan Grey
Beware of imitations!
Teak wood is highly valued worldwide for its diverse applications. Its resistance to moisture and rot makes it a particularly popular material for outdoor use. Teak is used for decking, yacht flooring, and lounge chairs, among other things, all of which must withstand the elements. While plantation-grown teak is a more affordable, sustainable, and readily available option than reclaimed teak from endangered Southeast Asian forests, there are some woodworking projects where another type of hardwood can be used instead. These alternative hardwoods have distinct advantages and disadvantages, and only an experienced woodworker can determine whether one is truly suitable for a project that requires the unique qualities of teak.
Shorea,
from the contested rainforests of Southeast Asia, is the closest alternative to teak. This particular tropical hardwood has a similar weight and hardness to teak, and a comparable density. It has a tight grain and is suitable for detailed carving. Thanks to its high oil content, it is largely resistant to rot and insect infestation. When fresh, shorea has a light golden hue, which can be maintained with a quick coat of varnish. Left untreated, the color fades over time to a silvery gray, not unlike that of aged teak.
Despite its many similarities to the more expensive wood, shorea is more affordable than teak due to the simple laws of supply and demand. Despite the increasing demand from buyers seeking viable alternatives to teak, shorea plantations can supply sufficient quantities of timber to meet their needs.
Unlike its more expensive counterpart, Shorea wood has long been subject to stricter harvesting regulations, ensuring adequate protection for Shorea stocks in Southeast Asia. Until investors provide the necessary capital to expand teak plantations as widely as Shorea, the greatest advantage of this alternative hardwood lies in its availability.
from the contested rainforests of Southeast Asia, is the closest alternative to teak. This particular tropical hardwood has a similar weight and hardness to teak, and a comparable density. It has a tight grain and is suitable for detailed carving. Thanks to its high oil content, it is largely resistant to rot and insect infestation. When fresh, shorea has a light golden hue, which can be maintained with a quick coat of varnish. Left untreated, the color fades over time to a silvery gray, not unlike that of aged teak.
Despite its many similarities to the more expensive wood, shorea is more affordable than teak due to the simple laws of supply and demand. Despite the increasing demand from buyers seeking viable alternatives to teak, shorea plantations can supply sufficient quantities of timber to meet their needs.
Unlike its more expensive counterpart, Shorea wood has long been subject to stricter harvesting regulations, ensuring adequate protection for Shorea stocks in Southeast Asia. Until investors provide the necessary capital to expand teak plantations as widely as Shorea, the greatest advantage of this alternative hardwood lies in its availability.
Iroko
, also known as "African teak" or kambala, is an extremely tough hardwood from West Africa, sometimes called "poor man's teak." It has similar properties, including strength, hardness, and durability. Iroko typically grows to 150 feet tall and has a diameter of 7 feet, so a large quantity of timber is available for harvesting. While less flexible than teak, this characteristic can be disregarded for most outdoor applications. Iroko is a mineral-rich wood and therefore abrasive to cutting tools, but this can be compensated for with the right equipment.
With its medium-brown heartwood, lighter sapwood, and wavy grain, iroko looks different from teak. It can be polished to a high gloss, which enhances its warm, golden-brown hue. Although iroko is not yet widely used in shipping, its price—around a third of that of teak—makes it an attractive alternative to consider.
Please bear this in mind when looking at cheaper offers online that claim to be teak, as there are many horror stories from customers who received inferior products. At Luxus, we specialize exclusively in high-quality teak furniture.
, also known as "African teak" or kambala, is an extremely tough hardwood from West Africa, sometimes called "poor man's teak." It has similar properties, including strength, hardness, and durability. Iroko typically grows to 150 feet tall and has a diameter of 7 feet, so a large quantity of timber is available for harvesting. While less flexible than teak, this characteristic can be disregarded for most outdoor applications. Iroko is a mineral-rich wood and therefore abrasive to cutting tools, but this can be compensated for with the right equipment.
With its medium-brown heartwood, lighter sapwood, and wavy grain, iroko looks different from teak. It can be polished to a high gloss, which enhances its warm, golden-brown hue. Although iroko is not yet widely used in shipping, its price—around a third of that of teak—makes it an attractive alternative to consider.
Please bear this in mind when looking at cheaper offers online that claim to be teak, as there are many horror stories from customers who received inferior products. At Luxus, we specialize exclusively in high-quality teak furniture.
