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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