Best way to Choose Quality Teak Wood Furniture

Best way to Choose Quality Teak Wood Furniture. Nowadays, furniture made of teak wood is still famous in Indonesia because of its strong natural fibers. In terms of quality, teak has a better quality than mahogany. Even teak wood furniture is very sturdy and cannot be eaten by termites or mice.

But if you are going to buy furniture made of teak wood, then you should know how to choose the right furniture made of quality teak wood.

  1. The finish looks nice and smooth
    One way to find out quality teak furniture products is to see the final finishing that looks good. Where on the furniture there is an even coloring in all parts and all the wood pores are covered in finishing.

In addition, the finishing layer is quite thick and not too thin. When touched by hand, the surface of the furniture feels smoother and not bumpy. A good finish also lasts a long time and doesn’t fade quickly.

  1. Avoid teak furniture that has many holes on its surface
    How to choose quality teak furniture correctly is to avoid choosing furniture that has small holes on its surface. Because the holes in the teak wood have insect houses in them that are connected to each other and cause powder to form on the wood.

The result of the existence of holes in teak wood furniture is that the inside is porous even though the outside looks solid. For this reason, avoid buying teak wood furniture that has holes in its surface.

  1. Furniture has a sturdy and symmetrical construction.
    Considering the price of furniture made from teak wood is quite expensive, so when you intend to buy furniture made from teak, try to make the right choice.

Choose teak wood furniture that has a construction that looks very strong and has a symmetrical shape on its surface. The reason is that teak wood furniture that has a symmetrical shape contains a beauty value that is evenly distributed throughout the corners.

  1. Choose furniture made from old teak wood that is 20 to 30 years old
    Actually, the older the teak wood raw material used in furniture, the more sturdy the construction it has.

While the characteristics of old teak wood have a denser fiber arrangement, very heavy weight and reddish brown in color. You can also buy teak furniture from TPK (Wood Auction Place), since the age of the wood can be more than 20 to 30 years.

  1. Try to get genuine teak wood furniture
    In addition to choosing furniture made from old teak, you should also get furniture made in Teakindo.com

Most teak wood furniture made from Teakindo.com has a much higher value because the quality standards are already on an international scale.

Therefore, choose the needs of teak wood furniture by buying it directly from Teakindo.com. In addition you could apply the five best ways to choose teak wood furniture above. And after you buy it, don’t put the furniture in a damp place.

Best way to Choose Quality Teak Wood Furniture

The Best Way for Wooden Furniture Treatment at Home

The Best Way for Wooden Furniture treatment at Home. Wooden furniture such as mahogany or teak and other are items that add uniqueness and aesthetics to your home. You may still have a wooden armchair from your grandfather that has become an antique in your home. However, you have to take good care of your furniture so that could lasts for generations.

1. Do not store in direct sunlight, wooden furniture has a certain amount of moisture in it. Storing it in direct sunlight will evaporate the moisture and may crack in some areas. In addition, the color can also fade. You also should not place a wooden chair too close to the fireplace if there is a fireplace in your house.

2. Do not be submerged in water. Simple solutions for caring wooden furniture should include this one. Soaking can damage the surface of your furniture. Instead, take warm water and dish soap to clean the furniture. Use a toothbrush for delicate areas. Take a soft damp cloth for the finishing touch.

3. Use coasters and mats. Do not serve drinks and food directly to your wooden table. Irritation marks are too stubborn to be removed. Always use coasters or designer mats before serving anything on a wooden dining table or guest table and so on.

4. Applying wood coating. This is one of the most important solutions for caring for wooden furniture in summer. Soft wood upholstery with superior quality can prevent your furniture from being damaged. Apply a light coat of wood directly and wait 30 minutes. Scrub with a soft brush. Do it again after 60 minutes or so to get that shine.

5. Frequent cleaning Dirt and dust make your furniture itchy. Therefore, you need to clean wooden furniture often. If you have upholstered furniture, vacuum weekly, remove hidden dust and change pillowcases regularly.

6. Do not leave it in the rain. Soaking in rain water is the reason why mold and mildew form on wood. Rotting is another matter. So, always keep your wooden furniture indoors when it rains.

7. Quick repair when you have taken good care of your furniture, some wood furniture may have hairline cracks or the color can be slightly damaged if hit. So, using colored shoe polish can hide those minor blemishes effectively. However, don’t forget to use the same color. The Best Way for Wooden Furniture treatment at Home

How to prevent mold/fungus grows on wood

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.

How to prevent mold/fungus grows on wood

Choosing Teak Wood Grade

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.

Choosing Teak Wood Grade

Distinguishing the Teak Wood Quality Based on its Grade

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

  1. Densest wood grain,
  2. The color is more brown,
  3. Has natural compounds (chemical compounds tektoquinone), a kind of lubricating oil that can protect teak wood from termites and fungal growth.
  4. In one tree, only 25% of teak wood is included in Grade A
  5. 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

  1. Wood grain is not very irregular,
  2. The color is almost the same as Grade A Teak wood,
  3. Has a natural compound of protective oil from termites, rodents and fungi, as found in Grade A Teak wood.
  4. In one tree trunk there is only 35% of teak wood which is included in Grade B
  5. 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

  1. The brightest wood color is yellowish white,
  2. Irregular wood grain,
  3. Less dense wood grain,
  4. There is no natural lubricating oil such as grade A and grade B teak, so it is very vulnerable to termite and fungal attacks.
  5. In one tree trunk there are 40% which belong to grade C
  6. The cheapest price

Distinguishing the Teak Wood Quality Based on its Grade

Uses of Teak Wood

Uses of Teak Wood
Teak Wood Table

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.

Uses of Teak Wood

Teak Wood (Tectona Grandis)

Teak Wood (Tectona Grandis)

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.

Teak Wood (Tectona Grandis)

Why are teak wood products dried in the sun?

Why are teak wood products dried in the sun?

Why are teak wood products dried in the sun? The activity of drying teak wood products directly in the sun is carried out by several manufacturers, from small home industries to large factories with a production capacity of more than 50 containers measuring 40 feet per month.

Teak wood is known to have a good texture value and high durable class so that it has a selling value as well as a high aesthetic. There are several reasons why furniture products made of teak wood need to be dried and should be done regularly in several production processes.

Moisture Content
At least by drying the product in direct sunlight, the wood will undergo a drying process and some of the water contained in the wood will come out. This routine is usually done since the wood is still in the form of sawn wood. The limited availability of dryers is one of the reasons for small industries to simply use this natural method.

However, this does not mean it is not true, as long as we can have a good control tool to see the MC level on the wood, this method is actually more economical. And when the natural drying is hindered by the weather and the production schedule, then the drying is continued until the finished goods product stage.
What will be taken into consideration is that this drying does not guarantee that all parts of the wood are dry as expected.

For furniture factories that already have their own Kiln Dry, teak wood drying has been done since the beginning when it was still in the form of sawn wood.

Wood Color
The texture of teak wood has a characteristic black line (certain teak wood class) and sometimes reddish. Technically this is not a quality issue but aesthetically more consumers would like the color to be removed or matched.
By direct drying can make teak wood change color, although not much different. The longer the teak wood is dried in the sun, the better the color will be. The natural sap of teak wood will come out and with the release of the sap changes the color of the teak wood.

A type of chemical that is often used by teak wood furniture manufacturers whose chemical term is H2O2. This type of hard water is applied directly to the surface of the teak wood using a brush before the product is dried in the sun. The chemical reaction will make teak wood more homogeneous in color after drying.

This chemical has proven to be effective for equalizing the color of teak wood and this method is often also seen in rattan factories with the same purpose, making the color of all materials uniform.

Health Hazard
Some buyers who already know that teak wood furniture factories apply this method, have begun to prohibit the use of H2O2 because it is very dangerous for health both for factory employees who apply it and for consumers who buy the product. because the material is toxic and prolonged exposure will cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. That are the reason Why are teak wood products dried in the sun.

Economic Function of Java Teak Forest

Economic Function of Java Teak Forest

If we visit the teak forests in Java, we will see that these areas have other Economic Function of Java Teak Forest.

Many Pesanggem (farmers) who live in teak forest villages use teak tree bark as wall material for their houses. Teak leaves, which are wide and hairy and fall in the dry season, they use as food wrappers and goods. Teak branches and twigs provide fuel for many households in teak forest villages.

Teak forests mainly provide arable land. Between the teak trees, the farmers plant crops in rows. From the teak forest itself, they can earn additional income in the form of honey, a number of carbohydrate food sources, and medicines.

Food substitutes for rice grown in teak forests, for example, are gadung (Dioscorea hispida) and uwi (Dioscorea alata). In fact, teak forest villagers also use iles-iles (Amorphophallus) during famine. Traditional medicinal plants such as kencur (Alpina longa), turmeric (Curcuma domestica), ginger (Zingiber officinale), and temu lawak (Curcuma longa) grow in this forest area.

Teak trees also produce clusters of whitish flowers that bloom shortly after dawn. The best teak flower pollination occurs around the center of the heart—each flower lives for only one day. Pollination of flowers is carried out by many insects, but especially by types of bees. Therefore, residents can also often harvest bee honey from teak forests.

Teak forest village communities in Java also used to raise livestock such as buffalo, cows, and goats. This type of livestock requires grass as feed. Although farmers sometimes find it easy to get grass in their fields or fields, they mostly use forest land as a source of fodder production. By simply releasing livestock into the forest, livestock will get the various types of feed they need. The time that is not used by farming families to collect grass can be used for other activities. Economic Function of Java Teak Forest

Teak Wood is a First Class Wood

Teak wood is a First Class Wood

Teak wood is a first class wood because of its strength, durability and beauty. Technically, teak has a strength class II and a durability class I-II. This wood is very resistant to termite attack.

Teak wood is light brown, gray brown to dark red brown. The sapwood, on the outside, is white and yellowish-grey.

Teak wood is easy to cut and work and whuch is preferred for making furniture and carvings. Finely sanded wood has a smooth and greasy surface. The circular patterns of the years on the patio wood are clearly visible, resulting in a beautiful picture.

With the subtlety of the texture and the beauty of the color of the wood, teak is classified as a luxury wood.

Although relatively easy to process, teak is known to be very strong and durable, and not easily deformed by changes in weather. For this reason, teak wood is also used as a material for harbor docks, rail bearings, bridges, merchant ships, and warships. Carpenters in Europe in the 19th century are said to have asked for additional wages if they had to process teak. This is because teak is so hard that it can dull tools and consume their strength. The British marine manual even advises avoiding Chinese junks made of teak as they can damage the steel of British marines if they collide.

In the 17th century the people of South Sulawesi used teak roots as a producer of natural yellow and yellow brown dyes for their woven goods. In East Java, the people of Bawean Island brew teak leaves to produce natural red-brown dye. Lamongan people choose to brew the collision of young leaves. Meanwhile, the people of Madura Island mix the collision of teak leaves with tamarind. At that time, people with cholera were also advised to drink the bitter teak wood and leaves as an antidote.

Burmese teak is slightly stronger than Javanese teak. However, in Indonesia itself, Javanese teak is the prima donna. The texture of Javanese teak is smoother and the wood is stronger than teak from other parts of the country.

According to the characteristics of the wood, in Java people recognize several types of teak.

  1. Teak lengo or night teak, has a hard, heavy wood, feels smooth to the touch and seems to contain oil (Jw.: lengo, oil; Malam, wax). Dark in color, lots of blotches and stripes.
  2. Sungut. Black, dense and heavy (Jw.: sungu, horn).
  3. Werut teak, with hard wood and wavy fibers.
  4. Teak doreng is a very beautiful hard wood with bright black stripes colour.
  5. Teak flower
  6. Teak lime is whitish because it contains a lot of lime. Less strong and less durable.

Teak wood is a First Class Wood