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Durable and beautiful teak lumber

 
   


Teak lumber has been prized for many years due to its strength and beauty. The most common use of teak lumber has been on ships and boats, especially as decking material. Teak wood is also one of the most valuable and expensive types of lumber on the market, prized for its durability and resistance to all forms of decay.

Where teak wood comes from

Teak wood is tropical in origins, and has been harvested extensively in countries such as India, Thailand, and Burma. Although natural stocks have been depleted by centuries of forestry, teak does grow very quickly; it is not uncommon to be able to harvest planted teak trees in as little as 16 years. Teak wood plantations have begun operating all over the world, even outside of traditional teak forests. Some teak plantations in Latin America and Africa are now beginning to yield high quality teak lumber.

The use of teak lumber

As mentioned, teak lumber has been used in shipbuilding for a number of years. This is because teak lumber has an innate resistance to rot, which makes it an excellent choice for decking and window casings on board yachts and ships. Teak wood also has good resistance to parasites like termites, and contains a natural oil that helps it resist fungus growth. In fact this natural preservative makes teak wood an attractive alternative for long term use: the natural oils mean that you will not have to apply and reapply preservatives like varnish as often.

Choosing a teak floor for your home

Although teak wood is more costly than some other commonly used hardwoods, it can be a worthwhile investment for flooring in your home. Because teak wood is highly resistant to warping and shrinkage, a teak floor will remain stable no matter what happens in your home (i.e. plumbing leaks, high humidity, etc.). Thus by installing a teak floor you can be sure your floor will look elegant and stay in tip top shape for as long as you own your home, with minimal maintenance required.

Although teak lumber has been in use for centuries, it is only in recent years that land-locked woodworkers have discovered this hardy hardwood. Now that it has been discovered, however, it seems clear that many woodworkers are making the switch because of the many great qualities of teak lumber.

Further articles:

  • Small wood working projects also require lumber for construction. Additional lots are used for flooring and parquet. Specialist lumber stores like lumber liquidators offer a huge variety of various types of wooden floors.
  • Amongst many flooring brands Bellawood® is certainly one of the most known ones. Read a detailed article on this Flooring specialist brand.

 

 


 

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