Teak is a species of tropical hardwood tree. Teak wood is highly resistant to water, durable, and resistant to pests, diseases and rot. For this reason, teak is very popular for making things like outdoor furniture and boats that will be exposed to the elements of nature. Because of its great quality, teak wood is also very expensive. By paying attention to color, wood grain, smell, and weight, you can make sure the teak wood is genuine and authentic.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Checking Physical Characteristics
Step 1. Look for dark brown-gold to yellowish-white wood
The color of teak wood varies depending on the tree species and from which part of the tree the wood comes from. The color ranges from dark brown-gold to yellowish-white. You should know the type of teak you are looking for when examining the color.
- The outer layer of the tree is called sapwood and is yellowish white in color. This part of the wood has a higher moisture content and is therefore weaker than the core wood.
- The core of the tree is called galih and its color ranges from golden brown to dark brown. Galih is tougher, stronger, more expensive, and generally preferred over sapwood.
Step 2. Ask if the wood has been dyed
Some teak dealers or shops may have colored the wood so that it covers the original color. Ask if the wood you're after has been dyed. If so, you will have to identify the wood in a different way.
Since teak will darken with age, check the age of the wood to make sure you get the type you want
Step 3. Notice the straight grain of the wood
The original teak wood grain is generally straight. It looks like strokes or straight lines with a darker color than the rest of the wood. If the wood grain doesn't appear straight-or at least mostly straight-you need to doubt its authenticity.
Depending on how the wood is cut, the grain may also be slightly wavy
Method 2 of 2: Sniffing and Weighing the Wood
Step 1. Identify teak wood by its leathery smell
Aroma is a good indicator of real teak. Teak wood is high in natural oils that help it fight disease. Pick up the wood and sniff. You will smell the natural oils that are similar to leather.
Step 2. Lift the wood to check its weight
Weight is another way to identify teak wood. Real teak wood will be very dense and quite heavy. Pick up the wood and check. It should be heavier than particleboard.
If it feels light and hollow, chances are it's not teak wood
Step 3. See if the wood you are checking matches all of the above characteristics
Make a checklist of factors such as color, wood grain, smell, and weight. That way, you can clearly see how many boxes are ticked regarding the wood you're interested in. Real teak wood must meet all of these checkboxes.
