FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The frequency of teak furniture polishing depends on the usage. If maintained well and used in interiors, a good quality polish can last even 15 to 20 years.
Burma teak, renowned as one of the most exotic and versatile timbers globally, excels in withstanding harsh natural elements like rain and sun.
However, there are teak sources from several other countries from African and Latin American regions these days. Secondly, there are teak look-alike species such as Iroko and Acacia. But, none of these offer the same outdoor durability and are not ideal for outdoor use.
However, there are teak sources from several other countries from African and Latin American regions these days. Secondly, there are teak look-alike species such as Iroko and Acacia. But, none of these offer the same outdoor durability and are not ideal for outdoor use.
Teak boasts several standout features, including an attractive grain structure, exceptional durability, and a smooth, lightweight texture. It is easy to work with, highly polishable, termite-resistant, and time-tested for longevity. These qualities make teak the perfect choice for premium furniture.
Teak is considered a semi-hardwood—perfectly balanced between hard and soft. Its moderate density makes it durable yet lightweight, offering the ideal combination for furniture that’s both sturdy and easy to handle.
The furniture designs have evolved over the time immemorial. If we look back at the history experts seem to have classified design eras and named them with different design styles. Some popular ones include Scandinavian design, Colonial design, Modern design, and Ultra-modern design. Additionally, there are Rustic, Minimalist, Mid-century, Eclectic, Industrial, and Contemporary styles, all of which bring unique aesthetics to teak furniture, offering a variety of choices to suit every taste.
This is a valid question, but it’s challenging to answer because there’s a lack of formal education on wood identification worldwide. Even if you study wood academically, recognizing wood species in practice is incredibly difficult. It takes years of hands-on experience and exposure to develop this skill. Unfortunately, this gap in knowledge is often exploited by some in the trade, taking advantage of clients’ lack of expertise.
Timber undergoes various transformations from the moment a living tree is cut until it becomes functional furniture or a door in your home. After the tree is felled and its branches pruned, the result is timber logs. These logs must then be sliced, cut, and peeled to be suitable for manufacturing furniture or doors. The dimensions obtained from cutting these timber logs at a sawmill are commonly referred to as wood cut sizes.
Kitchen cabinets are typically made from plywood, which is a manufactured product made from veneers of various timber species, most commonly Gurjan. However, in rare cases, solid wood cut sizes are also used for kitchen cabinets. In such instances, species like teak, pine, beech, or oak are preferred.
A decade ago, sawmills in India thrived as most imported timber arrived in log form and was cut to size locally. However, the situation has since changed, with pre-cut timber sizes now being imported, already processed at the source. These standard sizes are ready to use, making customization much more difficult.
Although various measurement systems are used worldwide to calculate wood cut sizes, in India, we typically use the cubic feet (CFT) system. The cubic feet of a wood cut size is calculated by multiplying the length, breadth, and thickness, all measured in feet.
The timber market in India has transformed over the last decade, shifting from log suppliers to ready-cut size suppliers. As a result, the traditional model of purchasing timber in log form and cutting it into sizes has become obsolete. Now, standard-sized cut pieces are readily available off the shelf. Buyers should ensure that the sizes are well-seasoned or allow for proper seasoning after purchase.
Approximately 90% of timber consumption in India is met through imports. Therefore, when addressing the above question, we primarily focus on the various types of wood imported into the country. The broad categories of wood include:
- Construction Grade Timber: Merbau (Honne), Saal, Burma Teak, African Teak, and Latin American Teak.
- Timber suitable for interior use includes beech wood, oak, ash, walnut, and pine.
There are different types of timber suited for different categories, such as construction, interior design, and flooring. Therefore, buyers should consult trusted experts, including timber suppliers, civil contractors, architects, and carpenters, to select the appropriate type of wood.
Wood is classified into two main categories: hardwood, which is denser and heavier, and softwood, which is less dense and lighter. However, not all timber fits neatly into these categories; some species fall between them and are referred to as semi-hardwood or semi-softwood. Teak is a classic example of semi-hardwood.
The growth rate of a tree primarily determines whether it will be classified as hardwood or softwood. Generally, fast-growing trees tend to be softer, while slow-growing trees are harder. Commercially, this often means that hardwood is more expensive, whereas softwood is more affordable.
The growth rate of a tree primarily determines whether it will be classified as hardwood or softwood. Generally, fast-growing trees tend to be softer, while slow-growing trees are harder. Commercially, this often means that hardwood is more expensive, whereas softwood is more affordable.
Regular dusting and occasional polishing, based on usage, are essential for maintaining teak furniture.
When it comes to teak, the quality largely depends on the age of the tree at the time of cutting. The older the tree, the better the quality. Not all teak varieties are suitable for every climate. Only high-grade teak, like Burma teak from trees over 100 years old, is resilient enough to withstand all weather conditions.
Firstly, very few timber species, aside from Brazilian Ipe, can boast all-weather durability. Secondly, teak stands out for its striking appearance, adding a touch of elegance to any setting.
Absolutely! High-quality teak can withstand exposure to sun, rain, and salty beachfront humidity for extended periods without damage. While the surface might experience some wear or fading, the beauty of teak lies in its ability to regain its original shine with a simple sanding—restoring it to its former glory with ease.
When discussing the sustainability of natural resources, particularly timber, we often classify species into two categories: tropical forest products and plantation timber. While both are sustainable to some extent—since trees can regrow, unlike non-renewable resources like iron ore or crude oil—plantation timber, such as teak, is considered more sustainable. This is because human efforts are specifically dedicated to planting and nurturing these trees, ensuring a continuous and managed supply.
This is a valid question but difficult to answer because there’s little academic focus on wood identification globally. Even if you study wood, recognizing a species in practice is challenging—it takes years of experience and exposure to master. Unfortunately, this gap in knowledge is often exploited by those in the trade, taking advantage of clients’ lack of expertise. Trust plays a crucial role in sourcing authentic teak furniture, as it’s far easier to identify a trustworthy vendor than to gain the expertise to verify teak authenticity yourself.
Typically, larger dimensions such as 6”x4” and 5”x3” (and occasionally even as large as 12”x4” or 11”x3”) are used for crafting door and window frames. For door shutters, planks of varying widths with a thickness of 1.5” or 2” are commonly utilized.
It can be challenging to specify the exact wood cut sizes for furniture, as each piece has unique requirements. However, in general, the dimensions for furniture tend to be smaller compared to those needed for larger wood products like doors and frames.
There are several types of wood joints, such as the butt joint and miter joint. The choice of joint depends on the specific application and requirements. For example, a tongue and groove joint is typically used in wood flooring, while a finger joint is commonly used to join smaller pieces of wood together to create a larger sheet.
- Usage varies—wood that is suitable for a door frame may not be ideal for door shutters. Similarly, wood that works well for flooring may not be suitable for door frames, and vice versa.
- The dimensions and section sizes of wood you choose will directly affect the quantity you need to source. If you’re working with a budget, these factors are important, as they influence both the amount of timber required and its overall cost.
- Seasoning – Using well-dried timber is crucial for ensuring durability and longevity. However, it’s not always feasible for timber traders to supply fully seasoned wood. As a result, the responsibility of proper seasoning often falls on the buyer to ensure the best results.
The question is not ‘where’ but ‘how’ to find high-quality timber. Wood is a natural product, and there isn’t a substantial academic knowledge base to assist customers in selecting high-quality options, which may only be available at one out of ten outlets. Therefore, trust is crucial in choosing the right supplier. As a buyer, you must decide whom to trust—be it a carpenter, civil contractor, architect, or timber trader—based on your intuition and judgment.
When a wood log is peeled into extremely thin layers known as veneer (typically ranging from 0.3mm to 0.5mm in thickness), these veneers are glued to 4mm plywood to facilitate easier transport and handling. Veneers serve as an effective alternative to solid wood, particularly in the furniture and interior decoration industries, and they are also cost-effective in comparison to solid wood.
Wood doors can be made from various species, such as teak and honne (merbau). Additionally, there are manufactured options like flush doors, where wood battens are arranged in vertical and horizontal patterns and sandwiched between two plywood sheets.
In terms of wooden windows, options include plain windows and French windows (also known as Georgian windows). However, UPVC and aluminum windows are increasingly popular as effective replacements for traditional wooden windows.
Yes, it’s essential to have a smooth, dry, and hard surface for laying wood flooring. This can be easily achieved with a screed concrete base. Alternatively, if there is an existing floor made of another material, wood flooring can be installed over it, provided the surface is also smooth, dry, and hard.