How do I tell what grade my teak wood is?
When buying teak wood items, it’s important to know the grade. The grade can influence the price and quality. But how can you tell the grade?
There is No Standard Grading System for Teak Wood
The problem with grading teak is that there is no generally accepted and broadly used standard for grading the wood. That means retailers and manufacturers may not use consistent standards to identify their teak products. Consequently, it is difficult to compare the grades of different products and brands.
How to Determine the Quality of Teak Wood
Despite the lack of a standard grading system, there are a few ways that you can determine the quality of teak wood:
Look at the Color of the Wood
Look at the color of the wood, which can help you determine the grade of teak wood. For higher-grade teak, there should be an even and consistent coloring, whereas lower-grade teak may be more varied. Remember that teak wood’s coloration can change as natural aging and environmental exposure affect the wood. Therefore, you shall examine the wood itself closely to understand the grade of the wood.
Look at the Grain of the Wood
A second way to check the grade of teak wood is to examine the grain of the wood itself. The higher the grade, the straighter and more consistent the grain. Teak of higher grade will generally have a more regular grain pattern, while the teak of lower grade might have knots or other flawed grains.
Consider the Weight of the Wood
Finally, you can also tell the grade of teak wood by its weight. The heavier the wood, the higher the grade. Higher-grade teak will typically be thicker and more solid, while lower-grade teak may be thinner and more prone to warping or bending.