Teak wood is known worldwide for its superiority in many areas, specifically because of how well it stands up to moisture, which is why some manufacturers produce teak bathroom furniture. It is also very tough and durable and can be used in a number of different applications from bath furniture to outdoor furniture as well. Teak weathers better than almost any other type of wood and because it is so dense, it is also stronger than most woods of the same size.
Teak has been used for a long time, in fact, in Western India some teak artifacts more than 2,000 years old have been found to still be in great condition. Teak wood has high oil content naturally, which helps it stand up to harsh weather conditions. High humidity environments don’t really bother teak all that much, which is why it ideal, even sought after to manufacture furniture for places that are typically of higher moisture content.
While teak wood is expensive, price doesn’t always indicate quality. Look for good quality construction first, and then look at the type of wood. Some teak trunks sell for as much as $30,000 (US) and the price is going up.
Teak does grow naturally, but because of the large amount of harvesting without re-forestation of teak wood in the rain forests, it is becoming more and more sparse. Many countries that supply teak to the rest of the world have started limiting the amount of wood exported each year and pay close attention to the re-forestation aspect to ensure that teak wood will be available for generations to come. Prior to purchasing your teak bathroom furniture, make sure that you know the wood has come from a reliable sustainable producer. Teak is commonly found in areas like Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, and India.
The technical classification for teak wood is Tectona Grandis. There are a number of things that make this wood so good and long lasting. The sap of the teak tree contains anti-fungal and anti-bacterial elements which help it combat disease and decay. It also contains silica and rubber components which also help in repelling rain, snow, and moisture in general. The teak tree typically grows to about 150 feet in height at which time it is approximately 80 years of age. This mature tree then can be harvested for use in manufacturing a great number of things.
The best part of the teak wood tree to be used in manufacturing furniture is the heartwood. The heartwood contains the most dense and straightest fibers of the tree. This makes for better raw materials to fashion high quality products. All of the attributes of teak wood allow it to last for years but also to stand up under heavy use, loads, and pressure.
The wood is very dense yet pliable enough to keep it from breaking under stress. When it does break, it doesn’t splinter like most woods do. This is a reason that it was used to build a number of naval vessels in the 18th century. When teak wood was hit by a cannon ball it didn’t cause as many additional wounds from splinters like oak and other traditional hardwoods. While your teak bathroom furniture probably won’t encounter many cannon balls, it is still one of the best types of wood you can use for such an area of your home.