hardwood · Tectona grandis
Teak wood properties
Also known as: burmese teak, genuine teak.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Tectona grandis |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,781,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.66 |
| Density (approx) | 41 lb/ft³ (3.4 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 1,070 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 5.3% / 2.6% |
| Region | Native to southern Asia; widely plantation-grown across the tropics |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Teak weighs about 13.7 lb (roughly 41 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 1,070 lbf is harder than about 52% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: boatbuilding, exterior construction, furniture, carving, turnings, veneer.
Durability: Very durable, often cited as a yardstick for decay resistance.
Workability: Mostly easy, though its silica dulls edges; despite natural oils it usually glues and finishes well.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Teak:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). Teak is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table, so CT/CR are omitted. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.