Teak flooring is aesthetically appealing, so it’s no surprise that most homeowners are beginning to opt for it.
Teak wooden floor comes with a straight grain pattern and has a rich brown color which gives it an extremely attractive appearance.
Teak wooden flooring is hardwood, so it has unwavering durability like most hardwood floors. Amidst its durability and beauty, there are things you need to know about teak flooring before installation.
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What Is Teak Flooring
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Teak flooring is derived from teak wood and is native to India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Burma. It can also be found in some African and Caribbean countries. It’s well known for it gold standard of wood flooring but can be a turn off to those on budget due to its high cost.
Your teak floor plank should be labeled as being “imported” if it wasn’t grown in local forestry. Before teak planks can be harvested, trees are allowed to grow for up to 80 years and can reach around 50m in height.
Types of Teak Wooden Floor
Because teak wood comes from different regions in the world, it has special characteristics that may affect the final appearance. Here are some types of teak wooden flooring you may find in the market:
Brazilian Teak Wood
Brazilian teak wood is known as Cumaru and has a dark to reddish-brown color, but it is very durable. Brazillian teak wood is sourced from the Amazon forest, so it is highly resistant to moths and worms.
Burmese Teak Wood
Burmese teak wood is sometimes referred to as “real teak” or “golden teak” due to its rich oil content, glowing surface, and golden-brown shade.
African Teak Wood
African teak wood is also known as Iroko and is not considered a real teak wood. However, it has similar color, shade, and durability, but not as much as the long-growth teak wood from Asia. The real African teak wood is referred to as African plantation teak wood.
Indonesian Teak Wood
Indonesian teak wood is famous for its durability and shine. The trees are allowed to grow for 20 to 30 years before they are harvested. It has greyish brown color with adequate oil content and wide grains.
Indian Teak Wood
Indian teak wood is one of the best types of teak, but it is quite difficult to source in the international market. It has a golden-brown color with beautiful luster and a large amount of oil.
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Pros of Teak Wooden Flooring
High Damage Resistance
Teak floor is hardwood with high durability. It can withstand average levels of foot traffic without becoming noticeably worn out. It can also resist damage such as scratches from pet claws, furniture weight, or dropped items.
However, teak floor is best suited for average residential use because compared to other types of hardwood, teak flooring isn’t the strongest, so for commercial areas that need a very hard-wearing floor, teak may not be the best option.
Water-Resistant
Teak flooring contains a high level of natural oils, as well as natural resins; this makes the flooring resistant to moisture, even without a sealer.
Its water resistance is the major factor why teak is a popular choice of wood for building boats or for decking, as it can withstand water better than most types of wood.
This makes teak wooden floor a great choice of flooring for areas like the kitchen and bathroom, where humidity is generally higher and accidental spills are bound to occur.
Read: How to waterproof wooden floors
Has a Beautiful Shine
The natural oily state of teak wood gives the flooring a shiny appearance. This high shine can be maintained even without using additional oil treatments or sealers, although it is recommended to oil your teak flooring annually in order to keep it in the best condition.
Asides from giving the floor a natural shine, the oils in teak also prevent it from drying out, which can cause cracking.
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Requires Low Maintenance
Teak flooring requires very little care and maintenance. Its natural oil content makes it fairly self-maintaining, and all you need to do to keep it in excellent condition is to mop and dust the floor regularly.
You also need to oil your teak flooring annually in order to keep it looking new and shiny, but this is a fairly quick and easy process.
Classic Look
Teak wooden floor has a classic look which gives it a luxurious feel. It has a warm golden brown color that adds an appealing touch to any room.
Teak floor blends in with a wide variety of interiors and suits any color scheme.
Cons of Teak Flooring
Environmental Impact
Before buying teak flooring, it is important that you do proper research on the company you are buying it from; this is due to some questionable environmental practices some companies engage in when sourcing for teak wood.
Teak usually takes between 80 and 120 years to mature before they can be harvested, but for economic reasons, it is now generally harvested when the tree is between 40 and 60 years old.
When teak is harvested at this age, the wood might be softer and only be available in shorter lengths than the matured wood.
Due to the long time, it takes teak trees to mature, many teak forests were over-harvested and are now considered endangered.
Many types of teak have since become illegal to export, and there is only one variety that is still legal; the common teak tree, Tectona Grandis.
The cost of teak wood makes it a valuable commodity that many people will illegally trade, so before buying teak wooden floor, ensure it’s from a trusted source that works directly with sustainable teak farms.
Expensive
This is a major setback for people looking to install teak floor. It is quite expensive compared to many other types of wood, and this is due to the length of time it takes the trees to grow.
However, its longevity and durability make teak wood a money-saving flooring in the long run, as it will last a long time, making it a good investment.
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Cost Of Teak Flooring
Teak flooring has lots of benefits, but all these come at a cost. Teak floor is known for being a luxury, premium wood, and costs just like one.
Teak flooring can cost around $10 per square foot, though this can vary depending on the type of desired finish and where it was sourced from.
Please note that if you happen to find teak flooring at an extremely low price, you should thoroughly investigate the source of the wood to make sure it’s from a well-known teak farm where the trees are grown legally and sustainably.
The high cost of teak wood is due to the fact that teak trees take a very long time to grow; this has also created an illegal market for teak wood, so do your best to avoid supporting this trade which encourages deforestation of the endangered species of teak.
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How to Maintain Teak Flooring
Maintaining your teak floor is very important as it helps to keep the floor’s luster and color intact. Although it’s very durable, teak wood is sometimes prone to dullness, stain spots, and over wear and tear.
This can be further strengthened if the floor is exposed to prolonged sunlight, dust, food stains, hot liquid, and heavy traffic.
Here is how to maintain teak flooring wood and keep it looking its best:
Clean up Spills Immediately they Occur
Cleaning your floor is important in order for it to remain beautiful. So wipe up all spills as soon as they occur. This will prevent dullness and the appearance of stained spots.
Regularly Vacuum the Floor
Using a powerful vacuum cleaner, clean up every dust particle from the wood grains. For a better result, you can attach a brush to the vacuum to pick up up more dust.
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Use the Proper Mopping Technique
When mopping a teak floor, it is important that you avoid overly soaking it with moisture, as it can cause water spots. Clean your teak floor with a sponge mop and a special cleaning solution for hardwood.
If you run out of cleaning products, you can make a homemade cleaner by mixing a small cup of ammonia into a bucket of lukewarm water.
Oil the Floor Regularly
Oiling teak floor regularly is required in order to maintain the floor’s shine and luster. How frequent, however, depends on the traffic level.
If the floor is installed in a room with low feet traffic, then you should oil it annually. But for a high-traffic area, you need to do it every six months. Apply the oil onto the floor with a clean cloth along the natural grains of the floor.
Read: vegetable oil on hardwood floor
Conclusion
Although teak flooring is quite expensive, it has a beautiful and luxurious appearance, it also very durable. With regular maintenance, you can keep your teak wooden floor durable, beautiful, and ageless for many years.
