Why teak furniture lasts for generations

A wood built for the tropics

Teak (*Tectona grandis*) grows across Thailand and Southeast Asia, and for centuries it has been the wood of choice for furniture, boats and temples. The reason is in the grain: teak is dense, tight and packed with natural oils.

Those oils are the secret. They repel water, resist insects and stop the wood from drying out and cracking — even in Thailand's heat and humidity. A well-made teak table can comfortably last 50 years or more.

What to look for

• Solid, not veneer — ask the maker whether the piece is solid teak throughout.
• Tight, even grain — a sign of slow-grown, mature timber.
• Honest joinery — mortise-and-tenon and dovetails outlast screws and glue.

Caring for your piece

Teak is low-maintenance by design. Dust it, wipe spills, and once a year give it a light teak-oil rub if you want to keep the warm colour. Left untreated, it ages to a beautiful silver-grey — equally lovely, just a matter of taste.

Every teak piece on Baan is made by a verified Thai workshop. Browse the makers and find one whose work speaks to you.