Characteristics of Good Teak Wood: A Guide by MPP Furniture

From durability to beauty, teak has all the qualities to be the most sought-after timber in the world. That is why the worldwide market will always have a high demand for this prized lumber, pressuring exporters, suppliers, and even manufacturers to bring as many teak products as possible to meet the needs.

However, this competitive market often causes different teak qualities. If you’re a retailer or wholesaler trying to sell off the best teak furniture, it’s essential to know the characteristics of good teak wood.

As a trusted & expert Indonesian teak manufacturer, we will share our insights with you about which products can be considered as high-quality teak furniture, and how to tell if a teak wood is ready to be harvested.

Why Teak Is Considered the King of Woods

Inside a piece of teak wood lies stunning durability and timeless elegance that no other wood can match. It is resistant to any external factors that affect its condition, from weather, insects, water, to self-rotting due to its natural oils.

These bagged qualities are what make the Tectona grandis, the scientific name of teak, the “king of woods”. The long history of teak usage also speaks volumes about its legacy.

A Legacy of Strength and Beauty

For over 2000 years, teak has been trusted as the primary material for marine buildings such as super boats and yachts. It was also mainly used to produce premium furniture that lasts long, even outlive the makers; the oldest teak ever traced is 700 years old, according to an English teak manufacturer.

Indonesia’s Role in Producing the World’s Finest Teak

Teak is indigenous to South and Southeast Asia, primarily in these four countries: Burma (now Myanmar), Laos, Thailand, and India. The global popularity of teak in the 15th century made countries around the world flock to plant this tree, while the original plantations have slowly disappeared from the home soil, except in Myanmar.

Countries in Africa, Latin America, and other parts of Southeast Asia have started to have their own teak plantations, including Indonesia. Even if it does not originate from our country, teak has found its perfect home to grow, which is the soil of Java, Indonesia.

The perfect climate and soil conditions make the Indonesian teak the most solid, with almost a perfect surface. Usually harvested at a minimum of 35 years old, mature Indonesian teak is picked with a slower growth rate, ensuring it contains a higher level of natural oils and density.

MPP Furniture, which is located in Cirebon, Indonesia, is home to the world’s best teak craftsmanship. Sourced from the world’s best teak plantation, we bring to you the finest teak collections, perfect for your outdoor and indoor decorations. 

Key Characteristics of High-Quality Teak Wood

For international buyers & designers, we will guide you to choose teak wood with the best quality, based on our 2-decade experience in the industry.

1. Natural Golden-Brown Color

Teak is known for its golden-brown hue, making it visually distinctive from other woods. A good teak will obviously have the consistent tint of brown, not patchy or faded. An Indonesian high-quality teak wood usually has few defects, like a scarred surface.

2. Tight and Straight Grain Pattern

Another thing to notice about a superior teak wood is how the grain pattern looks. The smoother the pattern, the better the quality. Like an Indonesian teak wood, which tends to be symmetrically shaped and dense, matching the usual practice of letting it grow slowly to reach full mature age.

If you’re planning to buy teak products from an Indonesian supplier, know when to buy by checking its production season, since the harvest time is done at a slower pace.

3. High Natural Oil Content

The two previous appearances are what set a good teak apart from the average ones. When the color and grain show great quality, then it’s also most likely high in natural oils. The Indonesian best practice to harvest only mature teak trees also contributes to generating the level of natural oils a teak can contain.

4. Dense and Heavy Structure

The slow growth rate also causes solid density to teak timber, making it heavier than low-quality teak wood. An Indonesian teak’s mass is around 655kg/m³ when dried, making it almost impossible to warp and strong enough to withstand metal disruption.

5. Distinctive Scent

The next thing you want to check is how the teak smells. If its odor is strong, earthy, and leather-like, emitting woody and sweet at the same time, then it is a fine teak wood. Otherwise, it’s low-grade teak or worse, you are being scammed by the supplier by sending you “fake teak”; check our guide to identify it.

6. Smooth Texture After Sanding

Last but not least, an excellent teak log would not respond to sanding with a rough, scratched surface. Contrarily, it would help teak to feel smoother, producing a more refined teak timber.

How to Tell Mature Teak from Young Teak

Now it’s time to check whether the exporters are lying to you about the “mature teak” used in the products. You can easily tell from these traits.

Color Depth and Uniformity

First one, it’s always the color. Matured teak, since it grows longer and slower, will have the darker shades of golden-brown tone. While the younger ones, since it is prematurely harvested, will showcase a light brown to yellowish-brown hue.

Strength and Moisture Resistance

An exceptional teak wood will usually have the quality of a mature teak tree. This also indicates that mature teak is highly dense, making it difficult to crack, and is much more resistant to water and weather changes.

Aging Gracefully

The last step is to check the shining parameter. Take one of your teak furniture pieces outside and see if it has any “silvery patina” or that unique trait when a timber is aged beautifully.

MPP Furniture’s Approach to Selecting Teak

When it comes to premium teak products, MPP Furniture is the perfectionist creator that thoroughly conducts end-to-end production control, from the teak legal sourcing to crafting teak into exquisite teak collections.

Carefully Sourced from Certified Plantations

All MPP Furniture’s products are legally sourced from plantations managed by the Indonesian government. We also have SVLK certification, indicating that we only use teak logs from a responsible and sustainable source.

Strict Quality Grading System

MPP Furniture only uses Grade A teak lumber to offer strength and color consistency for our clients. We also provide Grade B productions for a more affordable option. This is our commitment as a leading Indonesian manufacturer to bring you only the best teak products in hand.

Precision Craftsmanship in Every Step

Every detail matters the most to us. In response to this, MPP Furniture combines modern technology with manual workmanship to maintain quality from log, kiln drying, assembling, to finishing. If you prefer a partner that prioritizes precision, it’s MPP Furniture you’re looking for.

Why Choosing the Right Teak Wood Matters

For global buyers like you, it’s more than just picking the best products in the market. Here are three reasons why it is important to buy high-quality teak for your business.

Longer Lifespan and Structural Integrity

From the previous list, we’ve agreed that superior teak is highly dense, making it more durable than the low-grade ones. This also means that furniture made from quality teak can last for decades without deformation, giving you fewer returns from customers for its durability.

Sustainable Investment for Projects and Retail

Not only does this option not get your customers back yelling at you, but this also benefits you as a long-term investment where the teak value can increase over time. This is also perfect for your reselling projects to furniture stores, villas, or resorts.

A Symbol of Quality and Credibility

In this industry, selling real, high-quality teak is how you represent your business. Real products come with real prices, so does the opposite. Show your true business by getting the best teak products, and gain lasting trust from your customers.

Experience True Teak Craftsmanship

If you’re retailers or wholesalers trying to sell quality teak, we are the right partner for your business. MPP Furniture is here to help you compete in this fierce market by providing the top-grade teak collections. The 99% client satisfaction rate and 0.56% complaint ratio prove that our precise, end-to-end quality control brings the best products for our clients.

MPP Furniture also excels in handcrafted teak furniture pieces, providing an artisanal touch from our 200 craftsmen in-house. We’re also prioritizing responsive communication, giving hassle-free international transactions for our clients across the United States, Spain, Australia, Dubai, and more.

Combining meticulous production, expert craftsmanship, and great communication, we are your reliable partner who helps you make exceptional profit growth. Every great furniture begins with the right wood. Let’s craft yours with the best teak products from MPP Furniture. Chat with us, get a free consultation, and start our collaboration!