Displaying teak furniture at home is a dream of many, but when looking at the price, some might prefer affordable options to choose from. This is where teak replicas come to life, resulting in the emergence of both genuine and fake teak wood products.
As a trusted Indonesian furniture manufacturer that produces authentic teak crafts, we are giving you tips on how to identify fake teak wood in 6 steps. This is particularly important if you plan to sell teak wood products and want to avoid being scammed by irresponsible exporters.
Why the Market Is Flooded with “Teak Look-Alikes”
Besides being expensive, here are three reasons why there is a surge in demand for fake teak wood on the market.
The Rising Demand for Teak Furniture
Teak has all the premium qualities of a rich wood, but it also comes with a great price. It is highly durable and resistant to weather, pests, and rot. Not to mention its classic visual, browny tone, and natural grain pattern that will undoubtedly attract all eyes in the room.
From the facts about teak wood we’ve written before, teak has prestige, which is why many people desire to have it in their home. No wonder they do everything to own this priced lumber, even if it means buying the “look-alikes”.
Common Woods Mistaken for Teak
The chance of mistakenly identifying teak wood is getting higher since numerous timbers also possess a similar appearance to teak. For example, there is iroko, the “African teak” that has a darker shade of brown and only costs a third of the teak wood price.
There is also mahogany with a reddish-brown hue and mindi in the lighter shades, but with a more affordable price. These timbers are known as teak alternatives, so be careful if suppliers label them as “real teak”.
The Risk of Buying Without Verification
The cost of mistakenly buying fake teak wood is these unmatched expectations: it cracks, rots, and the color vanishes in time. Not to mention the price that might be enough to buy a real teak wood. So, this is why it’s essential to know the difference between the real and imitation ones. Here’s how to do it.
How to Identify Real vs Fake Teak Wood
Carefully learn these 6 steps to distinguish real and fake teak, so that you can’t be fooled by reckless suppliers.
1. Check the Color and Grain Pattern
The first obvious difference is the visual appearance. Teak has a unique honey-brown to yellowish-brown tone. It depends on the part of the wood that’s harvested. The sapwood part tends to have a yellowish-brown hue, and the heartwood is more on the darker shades of brown.
Another visual trait you must check is the grain pattern. Teak has a typically straight grain, but it can also be wavy in some parts. It also has a sheer sheen compared to other timbers.
2. Feel the Surface Texture
The second tip is to check the texture; teak tends to be greasy as it contains more natural oils than any other timber. This particular characteristic is nowhere to be found on other woods, so if there is an acclaimed teak wood that has dry surfaces, that’s definitely fake. It’s also important to notice any warping or cracking since it would lead to defective wood, which makes it hard to be processed into furniture pieces.
3. Notice the Weight and Density
Teak is also naturally heavier and denser than other tropical hardwoods. Try weighing the wood with your hand; if it feels lighter and porous, then it is most likely inauthentic teak.
4. Smell the Wood
Teak has a natural odor, which is a leather-like scent that is woody and sweet. This comes from the natural oils contained in teak. Since other timbers don’t have much natural oil compared to teak, they will also not possess this smell or even do not have a specific scent at all.
5. Observe the Reaction to Water
Remember that teak is resistant to water due to its natural oils? Yes, you can test this feature and see if it’s a real or fake teak. A genuine teak would reject water when splashed, so if the wood in your hand absorbs water, it’s definitely not teak.
6. Ask for Certification or Supplier Transparency
Last but not least, check for teak legal certification of the exporters. All teak furniture produced by MPP Furniture is SVLK-certified (issued by the Indonesian government), indicating that we’re using genuine teak that is responsibly harvested from the Indonesian forest.
MPP Furniture’s Commitment to Genuine Teak
From a legally certified, strict quality control to transparency, we never want to cause distrust in our clients. Our 99% client satisfaction rate and 0.56% complaint ratio speak so about our service.
Ethically Sourced from Certified Plantations
As a global benchmark of high-quality teak, Indonesia has made some rules for exporters to sell sustainable teak tree plantations overseas. With SVLK certification in hand, MPP Furniture adheres to this rule and always delivers authentic and high-quality teak products for our clients.
In-House Quality Control
Great quality comes from detail and thorough quality control. From log selection, kiln-drying, assembly, to testing, MPP Furniture applies strict control to generate the best teak products you can resell.
Transparency for Every Client
MPP Furniture also provides material reports & product sample verification before proceeding with your order. We guarantee products that meet your expectations when they arrive. If you’re looking for distinctive teak furniture, we are also open for OEM/ODM exclusive designs, only made for you.
Why Genuine Teak Matters for Long-Term Value
Buying the real teak wood is not just for the sake of meeting your expectations, but it also comes with these benefits.
Built for Durability and Strength
Teak is highly strong and durable; some can last for 80 years or more. So, spending some money to buy the real teak products can also mean a long-term investment for your home furniture.
Perfect for Indoor & Outdoor Use
The endurance of teak wood is perfect for outdoor use. If you are managing a resort, villa, or any hospitality building, choosing real teak furniture is a must. Otherwise, you might be paying for something that doesn’t last long, forcing you to spend more money on the renovation project.
A Mark of Prestige
Besides getting the long-lasting benefits, displaying teak products is a sign of luxury. Only real teak wood furniture can give off such vibes, even if there are other alternatives that might come close in terms of aesthetic value.
Work Only with Trusted Teak Furniture Manufacturers
It’s important to know teak natural quality to distinguish it from other woods, especially if you’re a retailer planning to sell teak furniture and not wanting to get bulk returns from your customers. MPP furniture provides high-quality teak collections gained from legally sourced material and meticulous quality control. We are here to help you sell authentic teak and get profitable margins from it.
We prioritize responsive communication, one of the most important things for export-import business, so that you can enjoy worry-free shipment. We’re also open for ODM/OEM design exclusively made only for you, with no replicas, bringing brand authenticity for your business.
Avoid the risk of imitation, choose craftsmanship you can trust, that is MPP Furniture. Contact us and request a free material consultation, see how we can help your business.
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