Using teak plywood in your projects

Many woodworkers use teak plywood for their furniture projects. Using this plywood can save money on the high costs of teak hardwood lumber, and will allow you to complete big projects with a minimum of trouble. Although many other types of hardwood plywood are relatively new to the market, teak plywood has long been a favorite in the boat building industries; those who live in the northeast are probably familiar with the hardwood boat regattas that have been a part of the region's regular calendar of events. But teak is not just for building boats, as more and more woodworkers are beginning to discover.

Traditional uses for teak lumber

Teak lumber has long been prized for its ability to withstand wind and weather. Even teak that has been exposed to the elements for many years can be restored to a luxurious shine, and perhaps even more importantly teak lumber does not curl up or warp easily. Because of these qualities, teak has been used extensively in marine applications, from yachts and other pleasure craft to commercial ships and cruise liners. Teak is used for ornamental styling, such as railings and ship's fittings, to decking.

Teak decking – non skid, non curl

Using teak lumber as decking material is a great way to produce a deck surface that does not need to be painted every year and will stand up well to the elements. There are two ways to apply teak decking. The first is to use teak planks to make your deck. But to save weight, many people use plywood covered with teak veneer.

Teak veneer – a cost effective and weight-saving choice

Plywood coverer with a thin layer of teak veneer is one of the best ways to build a deck for a boat, especially if the boat is shorter than 25 feet and weight will be a factor. Teak lumber can be heavy, so substituting plywood for part of the deck's thickness can be a tremendous weight saver. You can then choose how thick a veneer covering you want, to make sure the deck will handle years of use.

One of the best choices of plywood for decking is Luan plywood that has been coated with teak veneer. This plywood thus has a sturdy and beautiful face, with a core that is solid but also very light. This type of plywood is one of the most popular types of teak plywood.