Difference Between Old Teak Wood and Young Teak Wood
Teak wood, known as class I hardwood and class II durable, has no doubt about its quality. Teak is an ideal wood group due to its strength, durability, and fiber beauty. This wood is very resistant to termite and fungus attack. In addition, teak has good resistance to changes in weather and temperature. All these advantages make this wooden Latin name, Tectona Grandis, expensive. However, it must be understood that all the properties of perfect teak are only owned by old teak wood. Old teak wood is teak derived from teak trees that are more than 80 years old. This high quality teak is obtained from natural growth trees that are developed through seed germination. This type of teak wood has a texture and fiber that is smooth and dense, and small pores.
Large stems also make old teak wood have little connection. In addition, the dark brown color from old teak wood can also display an elegant and sturdy impression that adds to the advantages of this class I wood. Old teak wood has a high level of durability. This is based on the nature of teak trees, the older the tree is, the smaller its water content, the greater its specific gravity and durability. Not surprisingly, old teak is also very well used for furniture making or building construction. In teak there is also an extractive substance called Tectoquinone, an oil-producing substance. This substance is located on a wooden terrace contained in a teak tree trunk. The older the tree, the greater the percentage of wood terraces so that more oil is also produced. This oil makes teak wood resistant to termites and mold. In addition, oil can also make teak look luxurious.
Unfortunately, all the advantages of teak wood have begun to be difficult to find. Teak wood that is now widely circulating in the market is young teak produced from cultivation in the range of 5-7 years. Teak wood of this type is classified as class V. The characteristics of young teak are large fibers and wavy surface texture. Besides that the color tends to be white. Because of his young age, the content of young teak oil is still so small that it is not resistant to termites. Even so, some special treatments to increase the strength and endurance of young teak wood are now beginning to emerge. It’s just that young teak is still not recommended for building construction. More suitable for non-construction furniture or building needs. The treatment commonly used by wood entrepreneurs is wood preservation with soaking and healing techniques. This technique is able to extend the life of wood compared without soaking and baking.
For maximum results, young and old teak must be protected by covering the surface of the wood. Finishing options are stains (transparent colors / fibers still visible), paint (fiber cover colors), and varnishes (clear coating). Teak wood with good fiber is very precise in finishing with coloring to expose the beauty of wood fibers. Meanwhile, for young teak wood, it can be colored first and then varnished, so that the color looks more mature. while the old teak wood whose color is ripe is only enough lacquer.