A consideration of the breadth of uses to which TECTONA GRANDIS (TEAK) can be put demonstrates just how
important this timber is to be timber trade.
Teak is used for ship and boat building, for decking, for rails and hatches. In the furniture trade it tis used
for fine furniture and cabinet making, interior and exterior joiner, flooring and garden furniture.
The most prized Burmese Teak is a uniform golden brown colour without makings. Most other Teak is rich
brown with darker chocolate brown markings.
I am told that log to board conversion is truly turning a pigs ear into a silk purse as the logs are generally
gnarled and unattractive. However there is very little waste at the mill as even small off cuts are used for
turnings and ornaments.
Teak has a "very durable" classification. Its other outstanding qualities include a high strength grading,
widely recognised stability in service and its resistance to fire and acid.
Like Oak and Mahogany, Teak is a "benchmark" timber against which others are often judged in relation to
specific applications.
In recent years however supplies have become less reliable and the price of Teak has blown out to the point
where it is reasonable to consider other less expensive and more accessible species which have similar
applications.
In particular, an Australian user might consider VITEX ( also known as "New Guinea Teak") and IROKO
( also called Odum and "African Teak").
Further on Iroko, it must be said that for strength, durability and stability, all reliable authorities confirm
that this timber compares favourable for marine work with Teak. In appearance Iroko is generally very
similar in colour tone. Iroko is easier to work with cutting tools - as it does not have the silica content
present in Teak.
The following table provides some bases for comparison:
SPECIES TEAK VITEX IROKO
Tree Ht ( M) 40 33 50
Weight ( lb / ft3) 40 45/55 40
Mechanical
Hard Heavy & moderately
Medium
Properties
hard
Medium
density
Dense
Medium density
Medium
bending
Bends well
Medium bending
High
crushing
High crushing
Medium crushing
Low
stiffness
Medium stiffness
Very low stiffness
Low
movement
Low to medium
Small movement
in
service
movement in service
in service
Working
Medium resistance
Moderately difficult to
Satisfactory with
Properties
severely blunts cutters
cut but planes to
moderate to severe
smooth
finish
blunting on edges.
Durability
Very durable
Heartwood very durable
Heartwood very
Durable
Colour
Golden Brown
Grey Olive,
Golden orange
Yellow
- brown
to brown
I have relied for these technical comparisons on various texts including:
- World Woods In Colour McMillan
- The International Book Of Wood Mitchell Beazley
- Characteristics, Properties & Uses of Timber
-
" South East Asia,
- Timbers of the British Solomon Islands Levers Pacific Ltd
These sources make it clear that VITEX is use for boat building, ribs, stringers, keelsons and planking and
that is "highly regarded in
own market and its attractive price will see it used much more readily in the future for purposes formerly
reserved for Teak and it is available in a range of sizes.
It could not be said however that Vitex resembles Teak in appearance and this is where the attraction of
Iroko probably lies.
Iroko (from
"African Teak" and "Poor mans Teak" have variously been used to describe Iroko which is so dense that it is a
favoured timber for laboratory bench tops and containers for radioactive materials. Again this timber is
considerably less expensive than Teak.
B.J. Rendle ("world Timbers") notes that Iroko was harder than Teak but slightly inferior in other strength
properties. It definitely has a superficial resemblance to Teak but the distinction lies in its far coarser grain
and absence of a greasy surface, so familiar in sawn Teak. Iroko does not bend as well as teak and its
classification for steam bending would be "moderate". Iroko is as resistant to Termite attack as Teak.
On exposure to the weather as ships decking, garden furniture etc, Iroko bleaches in much the same way
as does Teak.
Iroko has a high resistance to both insect and fungal attack and the clearest demonstration of its durability
lies in its uses which include coachwork, ships bridges, decking
and in
suitable for flooring, stairs and flooring under which heating is used. This timber is also reported to be "fire
resistant".
For those who can both afford and find it, Teak will probably always be the answer to a wide range of boat
building requirements. There are however a growing range of less costly and readily available alternatives
which can now be considered. As they say in the ad - "Please consider"