WOOD FLOORINGS - Teak

Teak Tectona grandis Availability: Limited. Sample is 3.4 by 2 3/4-inch square-edge solid strip. Top portion is finished with water-base urethane; bottom with oil-modified polyurethane.

COLOR: Heartwood varies from yellow-brown to dark golden brown; turns rich brown under exposure to sunlight. Sapwood is a lighter cream color.

GRAIN: Straight; coarse, uneven texture.

VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Moderate to high color variation.

SAWING/MACHINING: Moderate ease in working with hand and machine tools; silica in wood dulls tools quickly: carbide tooling is recommended.
SANDING: Clogs abrasives; frequent sandpaper changes are required.
NAILING: Good holding ability.
FINISHING: Natural oils may interfere with adhesion and drying of some finishes. To reduce the wood's tendency to repel finish coats, surface resins may be removed with a solvent that is compatible with the finish to be used.