Why is Teak Wood So Highly Valued?

 When thinking about a high-quality, extremely tough and durable, and visually striking wood species, the first name that comes to mind is almost always Teak. Teak is a tropical hardwood scientifically known as Tectona Grandis and is known to grow to well over 130 feet in height. Native to Myanmar (Burma), more than half the world's naturally grown Teak comes from the forests of Myanmar. Apart from Myanmar, Teak wood is cultivated in other countries in Asia like Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Laos. Several African countries like Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Cameroon also grow African Teak wood, and there are also plantations for African Teak wood in Tanzania. However, when referring to high quality and expensive Teak, any teakwood is referred to as Burma Teak. 

Uniqueness of Teakwood

• It is recognized worldwide for its stability and durability.

• It has a naturally high oil content that repels water and moisture, making the wood immune and highly resistant to fungi, rotting, and harsh chemicals. 

• Teak is one of the few species of wood that is highly resistant to fire and comes with a very high fire safety rating making the wood extremely popular for woodworking and home interior projects. 

• Untreated Teak left in the open for more than 30 years changes from a natural golden brown color to a visually appealing soft silver in color. 

• Teak can easily withstand attacks by wood-eating termites like white ants and is naturally able to counter corrosion as it does not turn black when it comes into contact with other metals. 

• Teak has a beautiful texture that differs from fine to coarsely grained surface with a medium luster and an oily feel.  

• It possesses a high degree of natural durability, has low stiffness, and is moderately hard and heavy.

Uses of Teakwood:

For centuries now, since it was discovered 2000 years ago in Ancient Egypt, Teakwood has been used to build multiple things like:

• Shipbuilding and the decking of wooden ships

• Indoor and outdoor furniture

• Doors and window frames

• Wooden flooring

• Wood carvings and veneer

Why is Teakwood so expensive?

Teak wood trees are allowed to grow for approximately 25 years before they are harvested or felled. Therefore, it needs a teak wood supplier to be patient enough with a long-term vision. The company needs to have a long-term vision and stay committed enough to stay in business long enough to harvest the wood when it's time. Also, during this time, a cyclone or a hurricane in the tropical or subtropical countries can lead to the destruction of an entire crop, so any company or supplier investing time, energy, and resources into the cultivation of Teak needs to be extremely patient. 

The cost of Teak wood is constantly being driven upwards due to the civil unrest that plagued the country of Myanmar. The well-documented civil war in Myanmar is one of the longest-running civil wars globally, making it unsafe and challenging to do any business in that country. Myanmar as a country has undergone a whole cycle of change as it looked to emerge from the shadows of this national unrest. New government regulations saw the price of Teakwood rise sharply due to a massive decline in logging or harvesting of lumber. This has led to an enormous imbalance due to the demand for Teak wood increasing or remaining the same while supply has shrunk. 

Simple economics and market forces have combined to drive the prices of Teak wood worldwide, including African Teak, sharply upward. It is also important to note that Teak wood suppliers and companies were allowed to export logs in their natural state in the recent distant past. This has since been banned, and only processed and finished lumber is permitted for export. This meant that premium timber solution providers and teak wood suppliers like Faith Lumber in India could now only procure a more refined or finished product, which naturally meant a considerable increase in Teak wood price.