Teak Wood Decking Cape Town
Adding a deck to your home or upgrading your current deck can significantly increase your home’s value and enhance its curb appeal. The type of wood you choose for your deck is crucial, as it should not only reflect your personal style but also withstand various weather conditions.
Teak wood is a great option for decks due to its natural resistance to extreme heat and cold. It possesses exceptional properties that are ideal for deck applications. Apart from being visually stunning, teak naturally produces an oil that wards off termites and other insects that could potentially damage the deck. Additionally, its hardness prevents splintering, and its natural water resistance prevents warping or cracking, even without the need for sealants.
Furthermore, teak wood requires minimal maintenance once installed. Its high tensile strength, oil content, and tight grain make it perfect for withstanding various weather conditions, ensuring that a well-installed teak wood deck will maintain its appearance for many years. Teak oil can be applied to achieve a golden hue, or it can be left untreated to acquire a natural silver colour as it ages. Ultimately, aged teak wood is one of the most aesthetically appealing options for outdoor wood decks.
| Name | Teak (Tectona grandis) |
| Type | Hardwood |
| Other Names | Also known as Burma teak, Rangoon teak, moulmein teak, giathi, jatisak, kyun, maisak, rosawa, and many other local names. |
| Sources | Grows in Indonesia, India, and Central America. |
| Appearance | Generally straight grained with a coarse, uneven texture, medium luster and an oily feel. Yellow brown to dark golden brown heartwood and grayish or white sapwood. |
| Physical Props | Moderately hard and heavy, with low stiffness and shock resistance, moderate bending strength, moderate steam bending, and excellent decay resistance and dimensional stability. Good acid resistance. |
| Working Props | Works reasonably well with hand or machine tools but silica in wood is tough on cutting edges and machine dust can be an irritant. Good turning and carving properties. Gluing best done on freshly cut surfaces due to oily nature. Pre-drilling recommended for screwing and nailing. Stains and finishes well although natural oils can cause adhesion difficulties. |
| Uses | Has numerous uses including ship building (especially decks), indoor or outdoor furniture, high class joinery, flooring, panelling, plywood, decorative veneers, turnery, carving, chemical tanks and vats. |
