Getting to Know Your Hardwood Floors: Teak Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors are one of the most elegant and timeless additions homeowners can invest in for their homes. In addition, they come in different hardwood species, each having unique qualities. Teak is becoming an exotic flooring favorite this year for several reasons. This ultimate guide to teak hardwood flooring will help you learn more about them.

The Origins and Characteristics of Teak Hardwood

Teak is a hardwood tree specie indigenous to many Asian countries like India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Burma. They’re also native to some parts of Africa and the Caribbean. The Northern American wood flooring industry categorizes them under exotic hardwoods, as most US and Canadian manufacturers import them from Asia and Africa.

Unlike their Caribbean Islands variety, teak hardwoods grown locally in Asia and Africa have better quality and a more expensive price range. Teak trees need an average of 80 years to mature before harvesting.

Exotic hardwood species are popular due to their distinct, functional qualities often unique to them alone. Teak hardwood planks are the top choice of many homeowners because of these characteristics.

One notable feature of Teak is their color. Teak hardwood planks have unique color variations. They can range from yellow-brown tones to dark golden-brown, coming from their growing conditions. Teak heartwood with rich brown hues means trees have more sun exposure. In addition, other teak varieties offer greenish tints and yellow streaks in different dark shades that add to their luster.

Their texture is also unique. Teak hardwood has dense, tight, uniform grains that look polished and sophisticated. Unlike other wood grains, they’re easier to distinguish and clean.

The Advantages of Owning Teak Hardwood Flooring

While many woodworkers use teak for boats and saunas, they’re becoming popular fixtures as hardwood flooring materials in many homes. Besides their unique color and graining, homeowners can reap other benefits from having teak hardwood floors. Here are some of them.

Teak is One Tough Hardwood

Teak is one of the most durable hardwood flooring options available. They have a Janka Hardness rating of 3,540, making them more durable than oak, walnut, and pecan.

In addition, their toughness makes them highly resistant to scratches and dents. This feature is essential if you’re a pet owner because your dog or cat’s claws won’t scratch or maim the beauty of your hardwood flooring.

Due to their high Janka rating, Teak floorboards won't break or splinter under pressure and can handle more than average wear and tear and heavy foot traffic.

Teak is Naturally Termite and Bug-Repellant

Although all hardwood floors are durable and long-lasting, remember that they’re still natural materials with organic components. Like any wood, hardwoods can experience termite and bug infestation that can lead to irreparable flooring damage.

But this won’t be the case with Teak planks. Teak has high natural oil content making them resistant to termites and other pests. In addition, their oil content makes them longer-lasting and highly resistant to mold and rotting.

Teak Has High Water Resistance

Moisture or water is a hardwood floor’s biggest weakness. Many flooring issues revolve around moisture exposure leading to costly repairs or plank replacement. Unlike other hardwood flooring options, teak has higher water resistance.

Their tight, dense, uniform grain patterns keep humidity and water from seeping through the hardwood. In addition, their high natural oil content acts as a sealant. Due to these qualities, teak hardwood floors can work in bathrooms and utility rooms.

In addition to their water resistance, Teak wood is also warp resistant. They won’t bend or dent easily because of their grain structure and oil content.

Teak Hardwood Flooring Maintenance

Despite the numerous advantages of Teak hardwood, they still require proper care and maintenance. Besides routine cleaning with a broom or mop, use high-quality wood cleaners to keep the hardwood’s luster.

Unlike most hardwood floors, Teak floorboards don’t need routine waxing because of their natural oil content. But over time, the presence of oil in the wood lessens. Due to that, it’s best to oil your floor every two to three years to prevent mold growth. Teak hardwood floors are durable, but in areas that experience daily bouts of wear and tear and heavy foot traffic, oiling them once a year prevents the planks from drying out quickly.

Owning Teak Hardwood Floors in Austin

Hardwood floors are at the top of every flooring must-have list because of their durability and longevity. In addition, they offer homeowners many wood varieties like Teak. Unlike other hardwood species such as oak and mahogany, Teak has many unique qualities that make them better flooring choices.

Get your set of Teak hardwood floors in Austin by visiting Kelly Hardwood Floors today!