How to prevent mold/fungus grows on wood. Fungus is one of the microorganisms that cause the color of wood to change and then cause decay if the quantity is excessive. Because fungus is not able to produce their own food, they depend on several natural materials including leather, cotton, rattan, paper and wood.
In terms of its relationship with wood, there are 4 main requirements before fungi can be grow on wood, namely: oxygen supply, air temperature between 5-38 °C, high humidity and of course the presence of wood. We just have to overcome one of these conditions to prevent the wood on furniture or building construction from getting moldy. It’s pretty clear that we can’t limit the presence of oxygen around wood because humans need it too.
The air temperature needed by fungus to live is in the same range as humans and other living things. Even some types of mushrooms can live at temperatures below 0 °C. So in this section it is equally difficult to limit. The most effective method is to keep the wood dry. That is why wood must be kiln dried at an MC level of 8-14% before being processed into furniture or other constructions (buildings or bridges). Most fungi begin to live on wood that has an MC level above 20%. Below that level, it is very difficult for the fungus to start spreading.
Furniture For furniture in the room, with fairly stable air conditions and fairly low humidity, it is still possible to avoid mold, or it can be said that it is easy to prevent the furniture from growing mold. But for outdoor furniture is a challenge in itself. Therefore, outdoor furniture manufacturers must always be careful in choosing the type of wood for outdoor furniture. There are several types of wood that already have natural chemicals in the form of ‘poison’ for fungi so that no fungus can attack even though the 4 conditions mentioned above are met. Examples of types of wood in Indonesia are teak, ebony and ironwood.
However, the availability of this type of wood is also limited because more people need it and the limited time to grow for this type of tree which is at least 30 years old to be cut down and processed into industrial wood.
Laying furniture in the room will also be at risk of being attacked by mold if the room does not have good air ventilation.
Several ways of using chemicals have been widely used today by several factories and sawn wood industries. The disadvantage of this method is the presence of chemicals that can be harmful to furniture users or workers in the factory.
Choosing Teak Wood Grade. Everyone knows that teak wood is excellent in furniture industry. You could say that teak wood is perfect, very durable, and very strong so that it is resistant to extreme weather changes in a 4 season country and is immune to any insect attack. But have you ever really known that not all teak wood is of good quality?
The quality of teak wood is classified into 3 grades, namely grade A, grade B, and grade C. Grade A Teak is more expensive than Grade B Teak, and Grade B Teak is more expensive than Grade C Teak. Variations in the price of teak wood furniture in various furniture shops in Indonesia.
Teak Wood Grade A
Grade A teak wood is the best quality teak wood. This teak wood comes from the center or heart of the teak tree (heartwood) with a tree age of at least 40 years. Grade A can be seen from the fibers that are straight and aligned, the color is uniform, the fibers are very tight, and feels a bit greasy when touched by the surface of the wood. It is this oil that gives teak wood such great resistance that it can withstand extreme weather (usually in 4 season countries) and insect attacks including termites. However, this part is only about 25% of the entire log, and this is what makes it rare and very expensive.
Teak Wood Grade B
Grade B Teak wood comes from the outermost part of the heartwood of the teak tree (heartwood), this part is 25% – 30% of the entire tree trunk. Compared to grade A teak, grade B teak has a slightly lighter color, less irregular fibers, and less glossy, because it contains less oil than grade A teak. The grain of the wood fiber is not as dense as grade A wood, but grade B wood is still good for use as raw material for furniture or furniture.
Teak Wood Grade C
The quality of Grade C teak is arguably low. This teak wood comes from the outermost part of the teak tree trunk (sapwood) and immature teak trees. This part takes about 40% of the entire teak tree trunk. Grade C Teak wood does not have oil that can protect the wood, it is white in color, and is usually filled with wood scratches or scribbles. Even though it comes from the same teak tree, grade C does not have the same quality or durability as grade A. Usually grade C is priced far below the price of grade B and grade A, for those of you with a minimal budget, this might be the right choice.
CONCLUSION
Everything comes back to your needs, if you are going to put your teak furniture outdoors (outdoor) and you live in an area with extreme weather with 4 seasons then you need grade A teak furniture. However, if you have a small budget, then you want quality that is close to grade A, and you live in Indonesia, you can still use grade B, and so on.
IMPORTANT: The difference between grade A, grade B, and grade C teak wood is very difficult to distinguish when the furniture has been coated or finished because the color will be the same. You certainly don’t want to be fooled, do you? So make sure you choose a furniture vendor, furniture shop or craftsman who is honest and trustworthy.
Distinguishing the Teak Wood Quality Based on its Grade. Teak Wood Grade A (Class A) Teak wood grade A is the best quality type of teak wood among other types of teak wood. Grade A wood is located at the core of the teak tree trunk between heartwood and sapwood.
The characteristics of Grade A teak wood
Densest wood grain,
The color is more brown,
Has natural compounds (chemical compounds tektoquinone), a kind of lubricating oil that can protect teak wood from termites and fungal growth.
In one tree, only 25% of teak wood is included in Grade A
Grade A teak wood is the most expensive among the others.
Teak Wood Grade B (Class B) Teak wood grade B is a type of teak wood which is located in the middle of a teak tree trunk and there are some parts of the heart and sapwood taken, this teak wood has medium quality.
Characteristics of Grade B teak wood
Wood grain is not very irregular,
The color is almost the same as Grade A Teak wood,
Has a natural compound of protective oil from termites, rodents and fungi, as found in Grade A Teak wood.
In one tree trunk there is only 35% of teak wood which is included in Grade B
The price of Grade B Teak wood is still quite expensive, but it is cheaper when compared to Grade A Teak wood.
Teak Wood Grade C (Class C) Grade C Teak wood is a type of teak found on the outermost part of the teak tree trunk. Grade C teak has poor quality compared to grade A and grade B teak.
Characteristics of Grade C teak wood
The brightest wood color is yellowish white,
Irregular wood grain,
Less dense wood grain,
There is no natural lubricating oil such as grade A and grade B teak, so it is very vulnerable to termite and fungal attacks.
In one tree trunk there are 40% which belong to grade C
The cheapest price
Distinguishing the Teak Wood Quality Based on its Grade
Traditional Wood Preservation Technique. Here are several Wood preservation techniques that are often used by the traditional community in Indonesia
Soaking the Wood in the River Soaking logs and logs in rivers is an easy way to preserve and improve wood quality. The purpose of this immersion is so that the wood absorbs water so as to trigger the release of water-soluble extractive substances, such as nitrogen, glucosides, tannins and wood dyes. Meanwhile, water-insoluble extractive substances such as starch remain in the pores of the wood.
The soluble extractive substances affect the condition of the water around the wood. Microbes such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus masentriricus, Lactobacillus sp., and Staphylococcus sp. will develop and decompose wood extractive substances that are not dissolved so that it will gradually dissolve. This process is known as chain fermentation.
This chain fermentation process produces organic acids, gases and alcohol and reduces the moisture content in the wood. In addition, the content of wood starch which is a source of destructive food such as termites will also decrease because it dissolves into water. The result is increased wood resistance due to reduced interest by destructive insects to eat wood.
Soaking the Wood in the Pool Soaking wood in the pool with the addition of natural ingredients can also preserve wood. Banana stems, tobacco leaves, rice straw, and clove flowers are natural ingredients that are usually used. The soaking process generally takes 2 to 3 months to achieve maximum results.
also read: Cedar Tree – Origin, Benefits and Magical Side Before soaking the wood, it must be washed for 7 consecutive days. The water used for washing is a mixture of 1 liter of water with 10 grams of tobacco, 10 grams of cloves, and 10 grams of banana stems. The mixed water is rubbed over the entire surface of the wood and then dried using a cloth.
After washing for 7 days, the wood is then soaked into the pond and added with natural ingredients. After the soaking process for 2 to 3 months is complete, the wood must be dried first to dry it under the shade.
Mixture of Oil and Diesel Used oil can also be used to preserve wood and extend its life. The trick is to make a liquid from a mixture of oil and diesel in a ratio of 1:1.
Apply the liquid on the wood surface evenly using a brush. Then leave it for a few days for the liquid to absorb and dry naturally.
In order to get maximum results, before the wood is used for building construction, it can be smeared again with liquid oil and diesel in a ratio of 1:2. If the wood will be shaved, then the basting is done after the wood is shaved.
Wood Smoking Technique
The smoking method has not been widely used by the community to preserve wood. Fumigation of wood is done for 3 days so that the quality of the wood increases. The type of wood that is usually smoked is sengon wood and pulai uses mangiun wood as fuel.
Painting the Wood
Coating wood with paint is the easiest way to make wood last longer. The paint used can be wood paint, oil paint and varnish. However, the durability results using wood painting methods are not as durable as other techniques.
Preserving Wood With Vacuum
Usually the method of preserving wood with a vacuum system is carried out by large-scale wood companies. The advantages of this method are very high penetration and retention of preservatives, fast working process and can be applied to wet or dry wood. However, this method also has drawbacks, namely high costs and a high level of work accuracy. Traditional Wood Preservation Technique
Types of Suitable Wood for making Furniture. Given the importance of the function of wood in a building, especially for the manufacture of furniture. Some types of wood that have the best quality that can be used as furniture or furniture are:
Teakwood Of course, many are familiar with this one wood. Teak wood (Teak: English) also has a good scientific name, namely Tectona Grandis. Teak wood is slightly yellowish brown in color and is commonly found on the islands of Java and Sulawesi. Although there are in Sumatra and Kalimantan, teak wood cannot grow optimally because the soil content on the two islands has a high acidity level.
In the furniture industry, teak is the prima donna. It can be said to be one of the premium types of wood. Teak wood takes decades to be used as furniture or furniture. This age factor is one of the factors that affect the price of teak wood to be expensive. In addition, because of the supply and demand factor, many are looking for it, but the stock is limited.
Teak wood is more durable than other woods because it contains large amounts of natural oils. Even so, this is also a weakness of teak. Because it has a lot of natural oil content, teak is not suitable for using bright solid colors such as white, red, green, etc. Because over time it will release natural oils that will cause stains to become yellowish on your furniture. For dark solid colors such as black or brown, stains from natural oils can still be tolerated, but if you pay close attention to them, they still interfere with beauty.
Teak wood is suitable for most types of furniture products, but what needs to be considered is the type of finishing. We recommend using natural color finishing, in addition to avoiding the impression of stains, natural colors will bring out beautiful natural fiber strokes. This is precisely what furniture lovers are looking for. The emergence of fiber can be an added value or satisfaction for them.
In addition, teak is a type of hardwood. This is an advantage of teak because it is not easily damaged if hit by an impact.
Mahogany Wood Mahogany is one of the main raw materials in the manufacture of Jepara furniture besides teak. If teak is more idolized in the local market, then this mahogany wood has become an idol abroad, especially in European countries. So many Jepara furniture craftsmen use this mahogany wood, especially for export products.
Mahogany wood has a finer grain than teak. It has small pores so that the resulting furniture products are also very smooth. The color of mahogany is slightly reddish on the inside, and dark brown on the outside.
Although with the same diameter, when compared to teak, the price of mahogany wood can be cheaper, but in practice this is not the case. This is because:
a.) The wood that can be used must be above 30cm. Mahogany wood below 30cm has a less stable structure when used for furniture, unlike teak. In addition, the wood will shrink easily and be more susceptible to pests. Due to the use of large diameter wood, it certainly affects production costs.
b.) The type of mahogany is not as hard as teak. This causes mahogany wood to be more susceptible to pests. Usually before processing, mahogany wood will be soaked in anti-pest liquid first. There are also those who boil it to really avoid pests. This process will also affect the final price of mahogany products.
If you want a solid color finish, we recommend using mahogany. This is because the natural oil content in mahogany is not as much as in teak, so the appearance will be more durable in the long run.
Trembesi Wood This wood is commonly used as a road shading. Able to live in nature that lacks water or heat. Has a relatively faster growth than other trees. Therefore, it is often found that the size of this wood is large, unlike teak. Usually used for furniture products whose construction supports the strength of the product itself, such as the solid table below.
Trembesi wood has good fiber strokes like teak. The fibers are prominent and regular. The elegant impression created is strong because of the fiber. When still a tree, this wood is resistant to extreme weather. But after becoming wood, it is not strong if placed outside the room. It is more suitable for indoor products that do not have construction joints, thick solid designs or for large statues.
Sungkai Wood Sungkai wood is a type of wood that is also often used for making furniture. Usually, the use of sungkai wood for the manufacture of building materials such as windows, doors, to the construction of roof frames. Sungkai wood was also chosen to be used as veneer. Veneer is wood that is peeled into wood sheets, serves to help the finishing process to be more even and nice.
In general, the color of sungkai wood is light. The sapwood (wooden edge) is lighter in color. Has a surface that seems rough, can not be as smooth as teak or mahogany. Even though it has been sanded, the rough impression is still felt.
The wood fiber itself is good, has a strong wood character, so it is suitable for furniture using natural colors. If you want to use solid colors, in our opinion, just use mahogany wood. For the price itself is cheaper when compared to teak or mahogany.
However, we do not recommend the use of outdoor furniture such as garden swings, garden chairs, sungkai wood because the character of sungkai wood is less strong when exposed to sunlight and rain.
This type of wood is also less strong against pests because it is a type of soft wood. So the handling must also be right from the start to avoid pest attacks. Types of Suitable Wood for making Furniture.
Tips for Caring for Solid Wood Table Furniture. Wood is one of the materials that is often used as the main material for making furniture such as tables, chairs, cupboards, doors, and so on. This is because wood has a warm color and has a natural impression. Please note that this wood has many types, one of which is solid wood. This solid wood is natural wood that is processed directly from a type of wood tree. This type of solid has indeed become a material that is quite popular with the public.
In addition to having many types, this wood also has a measure to determine the level of wood quality. The smaller the number of the type of wood, the better the quality possessed by that type. This solid wood is in the order of durability class I, this first level of durability has a longer durability than the type of wood that has durability level II.
There are several kinds of wood that are classified as solid types such as Mahogany wood, Teak wood, Sungkai wood, Sonokeling wood, Pine wood, Mango wood, Ulin wood, Mindi wood, and Trembesi wood. Even though it is guaranteed to be durable, of course the wood that has been processed into furniture must always be cared for and maintained to keep it looking good. Below we will present some tips that you can use to treat solid wood tables at home.
Avoid Sharp Objects, Heat and Liquids Avoiding the table from sharp objects is sometimes a difficult thing to do. You can put the knife on the table. Avoiding this means being careful when placing knives on furniture. Sharp objects, heat, and colored liquids are indeed best for you to keep and avoid from solid furniture, because these can affect the beauty of the furniture in terms of color. Furniture items that are often scratched, exposed to heat, and exposed to liquid are visually not attractive anymore. Because scratches, heat and liquids can damage the wood finish and the texture of the solid wood table.
Try not to be exposed to direct light Exposure to direct sunlight contains high temperatures. When wood is exposed to temperatures that are too high, it can cause damage to the furniture. This is because the humidity of a wood that is too can create cracks in the furniture. This furniture requires a place that is not too humid and not too dry so that durability can be maintained. Because if it is too humid it can cause the growth of fungi and insects that can damage the solid wood table.
Clean regularly
Regular cleaning is intended so that the furniture you have can be protected from dust and dirt that sticks all day long. Imagine how thick it would be if it wasn’t cleaned at all. You can wipe it with a dry cloth or use a duster. For a cleaner result, you can use a slightly damp cloth to wipe it.After that make sure you dry it by wiping it again with a dry cloth. Surely your furniture will shine like new. Do this cleaning activity regularly for maintenance.
Buying something with durable frills doesn’t mean you can use it at will without any effort to take care of it. Even if it is basically durable, when it is not cared for, it can reduce the durability due to lack of maintenance. Therefore, so that your solid wood table can still look good, you must pay attention to the above points for simple maintenance.
Uses of Teak Wood. Teak wood contains a kind of oil and deposits in the cells of the wood, so it can be used in the open even without varnishing; especially when used under the shade of the roof. Teak’s high oil content, high tensile strength and tight grain make it particularly suitable where weather resistance is desired. It is used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture and boat decks. It is also used for cutting boards, indoor flooring, countertops and as a veneer for indoor finishings. Although easily worked, it can cause severe blunting on edged tools because of the presence of silica in the wood. Over time teak can weather to a silvery-grey finish, especially when exposed to sunlight.
Teak has long been used as a raw material for the manufacture of ships, including VOC ships that sailed the ocean in the 17th century. Also in heavy construction such as bridges and rail bearings.
In the house, besides being used as raw material for furniture, teak wood is also used in building structures. Traditional Javanese houses, such as the Central Javanese joglo house, use teak wood in almost all parts: the pillars, the roof truss, to the carved walls.
In today’s wood industry, teak is processed into a veneer to coat the face of expensive plywood; and used as parquet (parquet) floor coverings. In addition, it is also exported to foreign countries in the form of outdoor furniture.
Teak branches that can no longer be used for furniture are used as first-class firewood. Teak wood produces high heat, so it was used as fuel for steam locomotives.
Most of the world’s teak needs are supplied by Indonesia and Myanmar.
Teak Wood (Tectona Grandis) Family Name: Verbenaceae . The characteristics of teak wood that most people know are due to its durability and resistance to weather changes compared to other types of wood. In addition, the character of the fiber and its color has its own characteristics. Therefore, the price of teak is more expensive.
Tree Tree height can reach 50 meters by to 1.2 meters. The ideal age of teak trees to get the best quality is above 40 years. The growth speed of teak trees is relatively slow so that the density of the wood is better. To get 40 cm it takes a minimum of 50 years to grow.
Wood Color Dark brown and gold on the heartwood. The sapwood is cream or even brownish white. In some types of teak there is a reddish color when it has just been split. After some time in the open air and especially in the sun, the color will turn light brown.
Density at an average MC level of 12%, the density of teak is in the range of 700 – 930 kg/m3.
Durability Teak wood is classified as durable class I. It has a strong resistance to fungus, rot due to humid air or insect attack. Teak wood also has good resistance to weather and temperature changes. With the special characteristics of teak wood, namely the oil content in teak wood, making teak strength is better than other types of wood.
Drying Some manufacturers use slightly different drying methods on teak wood. If usually in the form of ordinary sheet boards enter the drying room, they do this by forming wood into half teak components into the drying room. A fraction of a millimeter is left for the sanding process after drying. The time needed to dry teak wood is about 14-25 days with a maximum temperature of 80 degrees Celsius.
Machinery & Construction Process The arrangement of small Teak wood fibers facilitates the machining process with smooth and even results. A smooth wood head can be produced during the cutting process against the grain. Because of the advantages of teak wood from its fiber color and durability class, most furniture manufacturers or teak wood users do not apply finishing materials because the natural oil/wax layer is already a preservative.
Certification Currently, consumers (especially in Europe & America) demand certification on all furniture products made of teak wood. In Indonesia, teak wood can only be obtained/purchased from Perum Perhutani, as a government agency with full power for the care and supervision of the distribution of teak wood in Indonesia, especially in Java.
Distinguishing Teak Wood With Trembesi Wood. As previously said, trembesi wood has characteristics similar to teak, so many people mistake it for teak wood. Though the quality provided is very different. Don’t be fooled by naughty craftsmen who sell trembesi wood at very expensive teak prices.
To be able to distinguish between the two, you can pay attention to the following things:
Wood Color
The most easily observed differentiator is color, what about the color of trembesi wood and what about the color of teak wood. The color of the trembesi wood at first glance is similar to old teak wood. The color is dark dark brown. But when compared directly parallel you will definitely see the difference.
Old teak wood does have a dark brown wood color but there will be a visible golden effect. This golden effect is only owned by teak wood and not owned by trembesi wood. You can set it apart during the day and be exposed to direct sunlight or direct the light at its surface.
Make sure when comparing these two types of wood, it has not been coated with finishing materials.
Wood Grain
The two woods have a very similar grain appearance. The existence of a year circle on each wood will add to the uniqueness and attractive appearance of each piece of furniture. If you want to tell the difference, pay attention to the grain grooves of these two types of wood.
Trembesi wood has thicker wood Grains in size. The circle of the year looks very clear and sharp. The Grain grooves are straighter than teak wood. On the other hand, teak wood also has clear wood Grains, but the thickness of the Grain is thinner than trembesi wood and the grooves are more wavy.
Smart Ways to Choose Quality Teak Wood. Teak wood is known as one of the best woods in the country. Teak wood is used for making boats, furniture, and other things which require resistance to the elements. Teak is used for outdoor furniture but is not recommended for full exposure to sunlight. Being more expensive than most other woods, teak furniture has become something of a status symbol. Not only is it common for a teak bench, chair, or table to last 70 years with the correct care plan, it is also common to pass down such furniture to future generations as an heirloom. Many teak wood sold in the market does not pay attention to its quality. As a result, there are many teaks of inferior quality.
In order not to be wrong in choosing wood, let’s follow the guidelines for choosing a good teak:
Of course the age of the wood must be really old, because old wood has very good strength and durability.
Make sure the wood pores look solid. Dense pores make wood more durable and durable against pests such as termites.
Good quality teak, one of which is marked by a darker color (reddish brown) and evenly distributed throughout the wood.
There is no dead eye on the wood, because the dead eye indicates the wood has a high potential for cracking / cracking.
No cork tissue/wooden heart. Generally, the appearance of the heart on wood is shaped like a long line and if it is released it will cause scars that can damage the beauty of teak wood.
No holes. Hollow wood identifies the attack of the sawdust beetle. In addition, the wood holes make the resulting product look less attractive.
Those are 6 Smart Ways to Choose Quality Teak Wood you could pay attention.