Complete Guide to Teak Wood Furniture: Indoor and Outdoor
LEARN HUB
Everything to Know about Teak
TEAK WOOD
Are you looking for high-quality indoor and outdoor furniture? Teak wood (known as tectona grandis) should be at the top of your list.
This comprehensive guide to teak wood furniture will help you discover the value of teak. This incredible hardwood is luxurious yet virtually indestructible. Ideal for indoors and any patio, poolside, or outdoor living area.
At Zenddu, our teak collections showcase the unmatched characteristics of premium plantation teak. Which is ethically sourced wood. With rich golden-brown hues and tight grain patterns. Teak has exceptional natural defenses against weather, rot, and pests. Teak is highly durable and outperforms other woods in every way.
Discover the Beauty and Durability of teak: Guide to Teak Wood Furniture
This is a simple and easy guide. After reading, you will understand all about teak wood.
Why Teak is the Ideal Choice for Outdoor Furniture
The reasons teak is good for outdoor furniture
GREAT FOR OUTDOORS
Teak is highly resilient. It’s also a renewable resource when it’s sourced from properly managed teak plantations. With FSC and SVLK-certified teak lumber. You can enjoy beautiful furnishings while preserving these precious resources for future generations.
Teak’s unique properties make it suited for both outdoor and indoor use.
- It’s an incredibly dense wood. Which is more durable than oak, cedar, or other outdoor furniture materials.
- High natural oil content creates unmatched resistance to moisture, pests, rot, and decay
- Tight, straight grain of the wood and minimal wood movement over time
- Develops an elegant silvery-gray patina when left unfinished outdoors
Experience Handcrafted teak furniture made by experts.
At Zenddu, our team has spent years mastering traditional woodworking techniques to create showstopping teak furniture collections…
Unmatched Properties of 100% Authentic Teak Wood
The Properties of Teak wood
THE KING OF WOODS
One of the first things that catches the eye about teak is its beautiful grain pattern. The tight, straight grain has a distinctive ribbon-like appearance. Ranging from golden honey browns to deeper antique patinas. As teak ages, these rich hues only become more pronounced and elegant.
Teak is known as “The Kings of woods”
THE ORIGINS OF TEAK: A Journey Through Time
The History of Teak
TEAK IN ANCIENT TIMES
Teak (Tectona grandis) is a tropical hardwood species primarily grown across Southeast Asia. The largest volumes are coming from Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Myanmar. It is also found in certain parts of Africa and the Caribbean. Asian teak is prized for its exceptional quality.
This made it a valuable material for early civilizations.
Shipbuilding: Around 2,000 years ago, with teak’s strength and resistance to rot. This made it ideal for constructing ships, as it could withstand the harsh sea conditions.
Construction: Teak’s impressive lifespan and resistance to insects. This led to its use in building palaces, temples, and other important structures.
As trade routes flourished around the world, the demand for teak increased. The British Empire recognized its value. They started using teak for their naval fleets.
What is an SVLK Wood Certificate?
Sistem Verifikasi Legal Kayu (SVLK), or Timber Legality Assurance Standard (TLAS). Is the Indonesian government’s timber certification. It is also known in Indonesia as a V-legal certificate.
The certificate ensures that all teak is grown ethically and from sustainable sources. All wood product exporters from Indonesia need SVLK verification.
The SVLK assures the market in the EU, USA, Australia, and other countries. It guarantees and identifies that the wood harvested was from legal sources. And not from illegal logging.
Teak Sourcing: Where it grows
Locations of Teak Wood in Indonesia
TEAK SOURCING
The superior performance of teak furniture starts with how the wood is sourced. At Zenddu, we take great care to ensure our teak comes from responsible suppliers.
Where Teak Grows in Indonesia
Java: Java is the main region for teak plantations in Indonesia. The island has teak forests in the eastern and western regions. Stretching from Banyuwangi in East Java to Sukabumi in West Java.
Other Islands:
Muna Island (Southeast Sulawesi): Muna Island produces high-quality teak. It adapts well to different climatic conditions.
Sumatra, Kalimantan (Borneo): These islands teak is not as widespread as in Java and Muna.
The Indonesian government has implemented regulations to protect and manage teak forests. This includes measures to combat illegal logging and promote responsible forestry practices.
There will be slight variations in color and texture for each region.
Plantation-Grown vs. Reclaimed vs. Non-Controlled Teak
There are three main sources for obtaining teak wood. Modern SVLK plantations, reclaimed teak, and non-controlled trees.
SVLK: Government Controlled Plantation Teak
- Grown sustainably by government-controlled plantations, part of the governments SVLK system
- Care for the trees to prevent diseases with the best quality soil and fertilizers
- New trees are planted every time a tree is harvested
- Trees are harvested in 15 to 25-year rotations when mature
- Lighter, more uniform golden brown color
- Straighter grains with minimal variations
- Highest Quality
Reclaimed Teak
- Reclaimed from old buildings, boats and other structures, etc. Teak can be 100+ years old
- Denser wood with more pronounced grain patterns
- Richer colors, from deep honey to antique brown tones
- Greater potential for unique character marks like knots, dents, holes, and nail holes.
- Eco-friendly
- Can be more expensive than SVLK teak as it is harder to find.
Non-controlled Teak (Jati Kampung)
- Grown in villages by private individuals or from other non-government-controlled land or forest. Not part of the SVLK system
- It grows uncared for in its natural habitat.
- Once the trees are harvested, the land can be repurposed for different uses. Such as livestock, buildings, etc. Adding to the problem of deforestation.
- Trees are harvested after around 10 years
- More varied grain and colour due to a lack of maintenance and care during growth.
- The trees are outside of the government-controlled system. Illegal logging would fall into this category.
- Illegal to export
- Lower Quality
Non-controlled Teak: Why you should not buy it
Non-controlled Teak
Don't buy it
Jati Kampung teak is a lot cheaper than government-controlled teak. But it is not part of the government’s SVLK program.
Its mainly used for selling cheap furniture to the local market. These types of manufacturers usually don’t make products of export quality.
Do not buy furniture made of non-controlled Jati Kampung wood.
It could be from illegal logging that causes deforestation.
You could be harming the environment!
You will have export problems. You can’t get the SLVK wood certificates required to export. Indonesian customs will seize and destroy the products.
“Jati kampung” is an Indonesian phrase that translates to “village teak” or “rural teak.” It refers to teak trees that are not grown on government-controlled plantations. But rather on smaller, private land in villages. It may also be from illegal logging.
Here’s a breakdown of the individual words:
Jati: This word translates to “teak” in Indonesian.
Kampung: This word refers to a village or rural community.
In our experience, most Jati Kampung is grown by people using their own land. This adds income to the local economy. But be aware of the friendly, smiling face of a small furniture manufacturer. Who tells you the story of how it was grown on his brother’s land in the village? We’ve been told the story so many times…
It may not be the truth. This is a way to get illegal logging into the mainstream market.
You will have to make your own decisions on this.
Note: Zenddu’s wood comes from government-controlled plantations. It comes with an SVLK (v-legal) certificate.
What are the different grades and qualities of teak?
Not all Teak is Equal
GRADE OF TEAK
There are three main grades of teak wood:
A, B and C grades.
There is a big difference in quality and price.
These grades only refer to SVLK Teak. With non-controlled teak there is no grade system. It just grows naturally in the wild.
Teak is graded based on the presence of natural characteristics like knots, grains, and color variations.
At Zenddu, we select only premium Grade A and B teak logs cultivated from reputable plantations or reliable sources of teak. This ensures our furniture showcases teak’s trademark beauty while upholding the structural integrity expected from this incredibly durable wood species.
Grade A Teak:
This is the highest quality and most expensive grade of teak. It is also known as first-grade teak or premium teak. Grade A teak is from the heartwood of mature teak trees that are over 20 years old.
It has a uniform, golden-brown colour, a close and straight grain, and a high oil content. This makes it durable, weather-resistant, and resistant to rot and insects.
Grade A teak wood is known as the best choice for high-end furniture and boat decks. Where both beauty and durability are important. Grade A is a popular choice for outdoor furniture.
Grade B Teak:
This is a mid-grade teak that is less expensive than a Grade A teak. It is from the outer heartwood of teak trees. It has more colour variation and a wider grain than Grade A teak.
It is still a very durable and weather-resistant wood. It’s fine for both indoor and outdoor furniture, flooring, and building materials.
Grade C Teak:
This is the lowest grade of teak and is also the cheapest. We don’t recommend grade C and never use it in our production. Made from the sapwood of teak trees and is not as durable or weather-resistant as Grade A or B teak. It is also more prone to warping and cracking. Grade C teak is not recommended for furniture. Lower grades like this are more suited for general construction rather than fine furniture craftsmanship. It is suitable for making crates or pallets.
Note: At Zenddu, we only use the highest quality teak. We use grade A and B teak for all our products. If other suppliers have significantly cheaper furniture prices, they could be using grade C or Jati Kampung and not telling you.
Sustainable Forestry Practices & Certification
No matter whether we use SVLK or reclaimed teak. Zenddu prioritizes teak sourced only from suppliers adhering to strict forest management principles. Using suppliers with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or SVLK (Indonesian Legal Wood) certification.
Our commitment to sustainability isn’t just good for the planet. It ensures our customers receive teak furniture crafted from ethically-harvested, premium wood supplies.
Next, we’ll explore Zenddu’s time-honored construction methods…
Zenddu's Teak Craftsmanship and Construction
Traditional Joinery and Assembly
HAND MADE
Traditional Joinery and Assembly Techniques
Our team of skilled teak artisans takes pride in using traditional woodworking methods. Our production is labor-intensive; we don’t mass-produce products. We make them by hand.
- Joints are sturdy, precise wood-on-wood construction
- Combining hand-carved components.
Hand Finishing Teak with Oils and Sealers
Each piece of solid teak wood furniture from Zenddu is hand-finished. Its either hand-rubbed with oil or sprayed with a clear matte sealer. This is to protect the wood and highlight teak’s luxurious colors and grains. Our proprietary finishing process uses:
- Pure tung oil for rich golden hues on new teak pieces
- Teak sealer to maintain the beauty.
- Marine-grade acrylic matte varnish for added protection on outdoor collections
Our fine furniture construction and detailed craftsmanship ensure premium teak furniture from Zenddu.
Why Kiln Dry Teak?
Proper Seasoning and Kiln-Drying Process
The first step with the new teak is to properly kiln-dry the premium teak lumber. At Zenddu, we adhere to a meticulous drying process to achieve the ideal 8–10% moisture content. Properly seasoned and cured teak is dimensionally stable.
Kiln drying is an essential step in preparing teak for premium furniture manufacturing. The controlled drying process prevents future issues. Including warping, cracking, and instability that can occur with improper air drying. Here are some key reasons why kiln-drying teak is so crucial:
Prevents Warping and Cracking: Undried teak contains significant amounts of internal moisture. If allowed to air dry naturally, this moisture escapes unevenly. This causes the wood to warp, twist, cup, or develop surface cracks. Rendering it unusable for fine woodworking.
Enhances Dimensional Stability: The kiln drying process removes excess moisture from teak. This enhances the wood’s dimensional stability, minimizing any risk of warping. It helps with uncontrolled swelling and shrinkage after manufacturing.
Improves Workability: Kiln-dried teak wood machines and works smoother compared to wet wood. It cuts cleaner, requires less labor-intensive sanding, and accepts joinery better. It allows for a finer finished surface.
Reduces Fungal Growth Risk: Any residual moisture in wood can lead to mold, mildew, or fungal decay. over time. Kiln-drying teak removes this moisture content. Reducing the risk of fungal issues and protecting the wood’s integrity long-term.
The Kiln Drying Process: This involves placing rough-sawn teak in a controlled chamber. The temperature, humidity, and airflow are carefully monitored and adjusted throughout the process. It typically involves these key stages:
Initial Conditioning: The wood is slowly dried at moderate temperatures. To avoid case-hardening or honeycomb drying damage.
Drying Phase: Temperature and humidity levels are decreased in steps. Allowing the teak to release its moisture at a measured, uniform rate.
Stress Relief: Once target moisture levels are reached. A final conditioning phase helps relieve any residual drying stresses in the wood.
Only through this meticulous kiln drying process. Can teak achieve the stability, workability, and longevity required for exceptional furniture craftsmanship.
Kiln-Dried Teak vs. Air-Dried Teak
Air drying is a traditional method for drying wood. It can be much slower and less effective compared to kiln drying. Air-dried teak may take months or even years to reach the desired moisture content. The final product may be more susceptible to warping and cracking due to the uneven drying.
Kiln drying is the preferred method. Ensuring the quality, stability, and longevity of teak wood. Its important to understand the benefits and why we kiln-dry our furniture.
Many suppliers only air- or sun-dry the wood, as it is a much cheaper process. In fact, it’s free! They will tell you it is okay, but it is not.
Indonesia is a tropical country with high rainfall and humidity all year round. Air-drying will not dry the wood properly. This results in problems with splitting and cracking.
Note: The teak we use in our furniture production is always kiln-dried. Plus, we only use grade A and B teak from SVLK sources.
If a supplier uses Jati Kampung or grade C teak and leaves it outside to air or sun-dry. The furniture will be a lot cheaper than ours. Now you know the reason why!. But more importantly, it will be of inferior quality and illegal to export.
Our Teak Finishes
We have a range of different finishes for teak wood. These range from hand-teak-oiled finishes to painted finishes.
The most popular finish we offer is a clear matte finish. This finish is loved by our customers, from around the world. It gives a natural teak finish.
Here are a few examples of our finishes.
Teak wood Furniture for Indoors and Outdoors
Zenddu’s craftsmen build timeless teak furniture pieces to elevate your living spaces. For both inside and out. Our premium teak collections combine the beauty of the wood with a variety of styles. We specialize in modern tropical designs.
Here are a few examples of our teak products.
Teak Living Room and Lounge Collections
Our furniture brings the warmth and elegance of luxurious teak wood into any living room. From plush teak sofas and armchairs to solid teak coffee and occasional tables. These pieces will become the centerpieces of your family room, hotel foyer, or accent furniture for bedrooms.
Teak Dining Room and Restaurant Collections
Gather around the table for memorable meals with friends and family. Zenddu’s solid teak dining furniture adds sophistication. It’s perfect for a formal or casual dining experience. Choose from rectangular tables, round pedestal styles, chairs, cabinets, and more.
Teak Bedroom Collections
Our bedroom furniture brings luxury to any bedroom. From bedside cabinets and wardrobes to bed frames and four-poster beds,. Perfect for hotels, villas, and homes.
Outdoor Teak Sofa and Dining Collections
Our teak outdoor furniture collections bring all-weather elegance to any area. Whether it is a home patio or a hotel’s poolside oasis. Combining our teak sofas and armchairs with weather-resistant fabrics. A large range of outdoor dining furniture is available for alfresco dining. Creates the ultimate outdoor living and dining spaces.
Other Teak Decor Pieces
Complete your indoor or outdoor look with our beautiful teak accent pieces. Including benches, planters, wall art, ornaments, and more. These high quality teak decor items add natural warmth and character.
