Why Teak Boat Doors?

Published: January 07, 2022

Teak is truly a gift to the marine industry and is considered to be the world's most valuable and versatile hardwood by mariners. With its rich golden brown luster, decorative grain and unique properties or strength, stability and resistance to wear have made it the most demanded wood for marine use. Teak has been used on aircraft carriers, tall mast graceful clipper ships, exquisite cruise ships, refined yachts, dinghies and rugged workboats. For centuries teak doors have been the epitome of excellence but few people know all of the remarkable benefits and applications of this unique wood. On the exterior teak decks are specified because teak is the only wood that can withstand the harsh dramatic changes of the sea water and hot sun and does not split, crack or warp.

There is no other wood or man-made material that has the versatility of teak. Teak doesn't warp, twist or expand in the high humidity settings of boat interiors making it ideal for boat doors, hatches and boat cabinetry. Most woods when in contact with water will readily crack, because of these natural oils teak has a very low coefficient of expansion and contraction so it will remain stable even under months in the hot sun or submersed in ocean waters. Teak also has high silica content which gives traction to those walking on a wet teak deck. In marine environments metals can corrode easily turning woods that are in contact with the metal black with oxidation but not so with teak because of its natural oils, these natural resins also repel termites, marine borers and resist rot. Unlike other woods teak does not require a paint or varnish and over time will develop a silver gray patina.

Teak is a precious resource, only four countries in the world, Burma, Thailand, Laos and India have natural teak forests. Thailand once had around 31 million acres of natural teak forests but these have been dramatically reduced to a few thousand, this caused the felling of teak trees in Thailand to be banned in 1982. Teak is not a tropical rainforest species; it grows sparsely in mixed deciduous forests, in its natural environment there are only 1 to 5 trees per acre in the best growing areas but Burma established plantations in 1856 with the assistance of some very farsighted foresters who saw the need to treasure these renewable sustained yield resources for future generations.

Due to the higher price of teak, many yacht builders have tried to replace teak with oak, ash, maple, mahogany or cherry. Since teak is such an expensive commodity others have tried to promote substitutes species such as Iroko or Afromosia as "African Teak". These woods may be suitable for various applications but only teak is indispensable in any and all applications on a boat. Many of the boat builders have returned to teak to avert the potential hazard of customer complaints and simply for the sheer beauty and dependability of teak. As long as ships sail the sea genuine teak will be an integral part of shipbuilding.