Teak: The Gold Standard of Cambodian Furniture
Teak is Cambodia's foremost sustainable hardwood. Learn its properties, plantation sourcing, and why we use it for furniture built to last
WOOD TYPES
Teak: The Gold Standard of Cambodian Furniture
In the workshop yards of Ratanakiri and Kampong Speu, you will find them stacked under tarpaulins, waiting to be milled. Long straight trunks, pale gold when freshly cut, darkening slowly as they dry. This is teak, and it has been prized for furniture making for centuries longer than most woods have been used at all. In Cambodia, the teak story is unusual. The country's native forests were largely stripped of their best teak decades ago, but a quiet revolution has been underway since the 1990s. Cambodian entrepreneurs began planting teak on farmland, and those plantations are now producing some of the finest furniture timber in the region.
What Is Teak?
Teak is the common name for Tectona grandis, a large deciduous tree native to southern Asia. It is known as Kyun in Myanmar, Sak in Thailand, and Giati in Indonesia. In Cambodia, it is simply called Teak, borrowed from the English. The tree grows 30 to 40 metres tall with a trunk diameter of up to 1.5 metres. It grows on plantations throughout the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with major plantations in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and across West Africa.
The heartwood is a golden or medium brown that darkens with age. The grain is usually straight, though it can occasionally be wavy or interlocked. The texture is coarse and uneven, with moderate to low natural luster. Raw, unfinished teak surfaces feel slightly oily or greasy to the touch, because of the natural oils the wood contains. Those oils are not a flaw. They are the reason teak has been considered by many to be the gold standard for decay resistance, rated as very durable and resistant to termites.
The Numbers Behind Teak Wood
Teak has a Janka hardness of 1,070 lbf (4,740 N). Its average dried weight is 655 kilograms per cubic metre. Its modulus of rupture, which measures bending strength, is 97.1 MPa. Its modulus of elasticity is 12.28 GPa. Its crushing strength is 54.8 MPa. It shrinks approximately 2.6 percent radially and 5.3 percent tangentially as it dries, giving a volumetric shrinkage of 7.2 percent and a tangential-to-radial ratio of 2.0.
For a furniture buyer, these numbers describe a timber that is not the hardest in the world but is among the most stable and durable in service. A Janka hardness of 1,070 lbf places it above black walnut at 1,010 lbf and well above most common furniture woods. It is not as hard as Thnong or the rosewoods, and it will not resist dents the way those woods do. But its stability is excellent. A T/R ratio of 2.0 means it moves predictably during drying rather than twisting. The volumetric shrinkage of 7.2 percent is moderate for a hardwood of this density, which is why teak furniture holds its shape so well in changing humidity.
What the numbers do not capture is the oil. Teak contains natural resinous oils that make it resistant to moisture, repellent to insects, and able to withstand weather conditions that would destroy other hardwoods. This is why teak is used for boat decks, outdoor furniture, and flooring in tropical climates. It is also why it lasts for generations indoors.
Sourcing and Sustainability of Teak in Cambodia
Here is where Cambodia's teak story gets interesting. Teak is not classified as endangered. It is not on the CITES list. It is not on the IUCN Red List. It is widely plantation-grown, and the supply is expanding, not shrinking. This makes it fundamentally different from the endangered Cambodian hardwoods we have written about elsewhere.
In Cambodia, the ITTO-BMEL Teak Project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, is working with the Forestry Administration and partners across the Greater Mekong Sub-region to develop legal and sustainable teak supply chains. The project, which began in January 2024, aims to improve the production of high-quality timber from smallholder and community-based teak plantations, with a focus on meeting modern environmental standards such as FSC certification.
The price of teak sawnwood in the Cambodian local market varies between 800 and 1,500 US dollars per cubic metre, depending on quality, length, and diameter. That price is higher than the international market average, which is one reason teak furniture is uncommon in most local wood processing factories. But it also reflects the quality of Cambodian plantation teak, which is grown slowly and carefully by farmers who have invested decades into their trees.
A teak plantation requires at least 20 to 25 years before the trees can be harvested at a suitable diameter. This is a long-term business, and many smallholders have struggled to find financing for the full cycle. But those who persevered are now seeing the rewards. Cambodian teak from well-managed plantations is a genuinely sustainable product, and unlike the endangered rosewoods, it is available legally and in increasing quantities.
Is Teak Good for Furniture?
Yes. Teak is one of the most forgiving and reliable furniture woods available. It machines easily, glues and finishes well, and tolerates the humidity swings that cause cheaper woods to swell and crack. It is rated as very durable for decay resistance, resistant to termites, and stable in service.
There are two conditions. First, it must be properly dried. Teak is easier to dry than most hardwoods, but rushed drying can still cause surface checking. Kiln-dried teak, brought to the correct moisture content for Cambodia's climate, is stable for decades. Second, it should be sealed for indoor use. The natural oils protect the wood, but a finish adds a layer of protection against staining and wear.
Teak is good for dining tables, coffee tables, cabinets, flooring, doors, and outdoor furniture. It is excellent for any piece that will be exposed to moisture, whether from spills, humidity, or the weather. It is also good for pieces that will be used heavily, because it wears gracefully rather than denting and chipping. It is not ideal for applications requiring extreme hardness or structural strength, where denser woods like Thnong or the rosewoods are better. But for most furniture uses, teak is more than adequate.
How Teak Compares To Other Trees
Compared to Rubberwood, teak is harder, denser, and dramatically more weather-resistant. Rubberwood is easier to work, more affordable, and entirely suitable for indoor furniture. But it has almost no natural oil content and must be sealed to protect it from moisture. Teak has natural protection built in.
Compared to Acacia, teak is more stable and more durable outdoors. Acacia is harder in some species and more affordable, and it is genuinely sustainable. But Acacia has poor natural decay resistance and requires more careful sealing. For outdoor furniture that will be left in the rain, teak is the better choice. For indoor furniture, Acacia offers comparable performance at a lower price.
Compared to the endangered Cambodian hardwoods like Thnong and Beng, teak is less dense and less hard. It lacks the deep reddish-brown colour and the legendary status of those woods. But it has something they cannot offer: it is legal, plantation-grown, and available in sustainable quantities. For buyers who want a beautiful, durable piece without the ethical burden, teak is the responsible choice.
How We Work With Teak
Khmer Wood Design sources teak from Cambodian plantations wherever possible, prioritising suppliers who can evidence legal and sustainable sourcing. We kiln-dry to the correct moisture content for Cambodia's climate, and we seal every surface, including undersides and the insides of drilled holes, so humidity cannot enter unevenly. Teak's natural oils make it receptive to finishes, though we sometimes wipe the surface with a solvent before finishing to reduce surface oils and ensure a clean bond. Offcuts become Collectibles & Curios. Sawdust goes to local farms for composting. Nothing usable is thrown away.
We also work with reclaimed teak where the piece allows it, particularly old teak from demolished buildings or disused furniture. Reclaimed teak is often denser and more richly coloured than new stock, and it carries a history that new timber cannot match.
Care and Maintenance Of Teak
Teak is one of the easiest hardwoods to live with. For indoor pieces, clean with a soft, dry cloth. For sticky spots, use a barely damp cloth with mild soap, then dry immediately. Avoid abrasive cleaners, ammonia, and prolonged direct sunlight. If the finish is sealed, occasional cleaning is sufficient. If the piece is oiled, re-oil once or twice a year with tung or linseed oil. Avoid synthetic sealants, which can trap moisture and cause warping. One specific warning: teak contains silica, which can blunt cutting edges. If you are sanding or cutting teak, use sharp tools and replace blades more often. For finished pieces, this is not an issue.
For outdoor teak, the maintenance is different. Teak will weather to a silvery grey if left untreated, which many people prefer. If you want to maintain the golden colour, clean the piece once a year with a soft brush and mild soap, then apply a teak sealer or oil. Do not pressure wash teak, and do not use bleach-based cleaners. In Cambodia's monsoon climate, ensure outdoor pieces have good drainage and are not left standing in water.
Sustainable Alternatives
If you want a piece that is durable, beautiful, and genuinely sustainable, teak is one of the best choices available in Cambodia today. It is not the hardest wood in the world, and it does not have the legendary status of the rosewoods. But it is legal, plantation-grown, and it performs beautifully in the climate that will test it. Contact us to discuss a commission in teak or any of the other sustainable timbers we work with.
FAQs
Is teak a hardwood? Yes. Teak is a hardwood, with a Janka hardness of 1,070 lbf. It is harder than black walnut and comparable to many common furniture hardwoods.
Is teak sustainable? Yes. Teak is widely plantation-grown, not listed on CITES or the IUCN Red List, and is the subject of international projects to develop legal and sustainable supply chains in Cambodia and across the Mekong region.
Does teak need to be oiled? Not necessarily. Teak contains natural oils that protect it. Oiling will help maintain the golden colour but creates an ongoing maintenance cycle. Many people prefer to let teak weather naturally to a silvery grey.
Is teak good for outdoor furniture? Yes. Teak is one of the best woods for outdoor use, thanks to its natural oils and decay resistance. It is commonly used for boat decks, garden furniture, and outdoor flooring.
What is a sustainable alternative to teak in Cambodia? Acacia and Rubberwood are both plantation-grown, widely available, and legal. Acacia is harder and more affordable. Rubberwood is lighter and more affordable still. Both are honest alternatives for indoor furniture.