Types of Teak Wood: Complete Guide to Choosing the Right One

Known for being the expensive yet still-in-demand timber in the world, teak wood has always been a popular tropical hardwood. The market size even shows constant growth each year with a CAGR of 8.46% from 2025-2034. This is an interesting opportunity for global buyers who need both a promising market and quality from the products themselves. 

But before jumping in, it is essential to know each type of teak wood, especially if you’re looking for the finest, high-quality teak for your customers. As an Indonesian furniture supplier who’s also an expert in teak manufacturing, we will explain teak classification based on its origins and the common grading system.

Why Teak Wood Is Highly Valued Worldwide

Having a long history of being used in marine construction and high-end furniture, teak’s natural quality helps build its reputation. Here are the reasons why it’s such a prized lumber for many people.

The natural strength and oil content

Teak is naturally strong and dense, thanks to its straight-grain structure and high rubber content. It also contains natural oils that make it resistant to moisture, decay, and insects. This combination is what makes teak so special, making it highly durable and a perfect choice for outdoor pieces.

Long lifespan and weather resistance

The natural qualities of teak wood also make it resilient to any extreme weather changes, making it a precious timber for long-lasting use. In case you have no idea, teak has already been used since the 15th century for building boat decks and yachts, creating the start of the global demand for the Southeast Asian-native wood.

Specifically in Southeast Asian history, teak was primarily used in royal buildings and structures such as temples and palaces. The teak price also indicates a symbol of power and status. With the globalization demand for teak wood, it is now more popular as a high-end furniture material.

Why MPP Furniture relies on teak for global projects

Being one of our best-selling products, we mark teak furniture as our benchmark for performance. From durability to beauty, teak has snatched every rich wood quality, providing you with a profit guarantee and lifelong business value. Now, let’s take a look at teak types and see which one is more beneficial for your business.

Main Types of Teak Wood

The globalization demand for teak, once again, has spread international interest in planting this precious tree. Teak plantations can now be found in almost every region in the world, from Asia, Africa, to South America. But if categorized based on its quality, we can list them down to three.

Burmese Teak (Old-Growth Teak)

The origins of teak are in four countries: Burma (Myanmar), Laos, Thailand, and India. However, due to excessive logging, the original teak forest has slowly disappeared in those countries; only Burma survives, making it the last man standing from its founders.

The Burmese teak is considered one of the best teak timbers in the world, with an adequate amount of natural oils and a typical straight-grain pattern. It’s usually harvested at 50 years old or so, making the wood denser than ever.

Indonesian Plantation Teak (Sustainable Teak)

Next, we have the strong contender of the Burmese teak, an Indonesian teak, which is also our main source of teak timber. Even if it’s not originated from here, Indonesian teak has actually stolen the global attention for its high quality.

It happens not without a reason; the Indonesian climate, humidity, and soil content all match the conditions teak loves. An Indonesian teak is also rich in natural oils, strong, and symmetrical; it’s generally harvested at a minimum of 35 years old.

One thing about Indonesian teak, the Indonesian government has implemented a strict rule about teak plantation and logging, resulting in every teak-related business having SVLK certification in hand to run their company. Aside from being the superior hardwood, the Indonesian teak is also the best option for your sustainability concerns.

African and South American Teak Alternatives

Now we have the alternatives of teak that are mostly found in African and South American plantations. The teak that comes from these regions tends to be in a light yellowish-brown hue, with less natural oil content and resistance, but is still favored due to the cheaper price.

The African teak, or usually called Afromosia, is commonly harvested at a relatively young age between 15-25 years old. Meanwhile, the American teak or Garapa is actually not a teak species, but it is called so for its similar features; the only difference is the wavy grain pattern.

Teak Wood Grading System (Grade A, B, C)

After knowing the types, now it’s time for you to dive deep into the parts of the wood used. This is also important since it directly impacts the timber’s performance and price.

How grading defines quality and price

Selling the exceptional teak wood can’t rely only on its origin, but you also need to consider the grade. This teak grading system categorizes the timber’s parts and its oil content, defining its value in a more specific quality & price. Teak wood itself is graded into three levels: Grade A, B, & C.

Grade A: Premium heartwood for export-quality furniture

Guaranteed to last for 70 years or so, Grade A teak is the best choice if your business prioritizes premium quality. Grade A teak is the heartwood of the tree, making it the timber that exceeds all the great qualities: highest oil content, dense grain, and the infamous golden-brown tone.

Grade B & C: Suitable for indoor and decorative uses

Other parts of teak can also be used for other furniture pieces, resulting in the Grade B and Grade C timbers. Grade B, which is extracted from the outer layer of the heartwood, has less oil and looks slightly wavy in its grain. It’s perfect to build indoor or covered outdoor products.

While Grade C is generated from the sapwood, the outermost part of the tree. The quality of this timber part is not the best since the grain pattern is rough, but it’s still applicable for outdoor furniture or decorative woodworking that doesn’t prioritize aesthetic value.

How MPP Furniture Selects and Processes Its Teak

As a leading Indonesian supplier & manufacturer, we carefully proceed with our teak production from end-to-end, starting from the attentive sourcing to the strict quality control.

Responsible sourcing from verified plantations (SVLK certified)

MPP Furniture is SVLK-certified, reflecting our commitment to not only providing our clients with exquisite teak wood from legal sourcing but also being responsible for the sustainable teak forest in Indonesia.

Precision drying and machining for long-lasting performance

We ensure our wood processing & craft-making is always in detail, from kiln drying to using advanced technology. Blending the Indonesian artistry and modern machinery to meet this precision, you can expect defect-free furniture from us.

Quality control to maintain international standards

Delivering the best teak furniture is one thing, but maintaining your expectation and trust is another. From the raw wood processing to shipment, we believe conducting strict quality control can solve this problem, bringing you the quality you need.

Choosing the Right Type of Teak Wood for Your Project

So, what’s the best teak type to choose? Our pro tip: we believe in the Indonesian teak quality, so we suggest you pick this specific teak by its origins since it presents you with exceptional strength, genuine beauty, and also responsible sourcing.

On deciding the teak’s grade, we have some tips that might help you find the most suitable piece for each project you’re running.

For outdoor furniture and resort projects

The best products for outdoor uses of resorts, villas, or other hospitality businesses are to look for the best of the best quality, which is obviously a Grade A teak. This specific type of teak will grant you longevity, both for the business value and product guarantee.

Our Vona Teak Patio Set Furniture has proven so. Using the premium Indonesian teak, this set, also being one of our best-selling teak furniture, includes a cushioned outdoor seat with a matching teak coffee table that is perfect for all-weather conditions and is also UV & moisture-resistant.

For indoor luxury collections

If you’re looking for the quality of indoor furniture, the Grade B teak is enough to provide both durability and classic aesthetic value. Our Sinoshi Teak Round Coffee Table can be your option for its timeless Japanese-inspired design, perfect for your boutique stores or personal luxury use.

For custom or OEM requests

If you have another custom design that represents your project better than our recommendations, we’re open to ODM/OEM requests with free product development. You can pick your wood finishes, from black, natural, walnut, to any color of your choice.

We’re also available for another timber mixing, like a mahogany or mindi, or another preferred timber. Like our Zaneti Teak Dining Chair, which is mixed with rattan webbing on its seat and backrest, presenting you with a modern look combined with handcrafted artistry from our expert artisans.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the types of teak timber is highly important if you’re planning to sell high-quality teak products. MPP Furniture is here to be your reliable partner that delivers quality, from the root of the teak wood to the handcrafted products that are processed with precision.

Investing in genuine teak is a long-term decision

Choosing genuine, superior teak wood is not just about having a product guarantee; it’s also a long-term investment for your business. Teak’s durability will both satisfy your customer and save you from the loss of decayed, broken products.

MPP Furniture’s commitment to quality and sustainability

With SVLK in hand and attention to detail in our production, we believe in delivering the best, defect-free products without leaving environmental responsibility. If you’re on a mission to partner with an Indonesian teak supplier that provides hassle-free international transactions with proven quality products, we’re ready for your call. Schedule a free consultation and plan your Indonesian teak purchase with us!

Our precise quality control of each production leads us to 99% of client satisfaction and only a 0.56% complaint ratio from our clients in the US, Dubai, Australia, Spain, South Africa, and more. With our 200 in-house skilled craftsmen, MPP Furniture also offers premium handcrafted products with an artisanal touch, perfect for your hunt for custom design teak furniture from the best hands.