TEAK

APPEARANCE
COLOR: Heartwood varies from yellow-brown to dark golden brown; turns rich brown under exposure to sunlight. Sapwood is a lighter cream color.
GRAIN: Straight; course, uneven texture.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES & GRADES: Moderate to high color variation.

PROPERTIES
HARDNESS/JANKA: 1000; 22% softer than Northern Red Oak.
DURABILITY: Strength values are similar to those of American Oak.
SAWING/MACHINING: Moderate ease in working with hand and machine tools, silica in wood dulls tools quickly: carbide tooling recommended.
SANDING: Clogs abrasives; frequent sandpaper changes are required.
NAILING: Good holding ability.
FINISHING: Natural oils may interfere with adhesion and drying of some finishes. To reduce the wood's tendency to repel finish coats, surface resins may be removed with a solvent that is compatible with the finish to be used.