Is It Really Teakwood? (Part 2)

It is important that you know some easy facts to help you determine if you are purchasing "real teakwood furniture".

When shopping for teakwood, you have to read the descriptions listed on any website or in store that sells outdoor furniture. Many of these outdoor wood furniture pieces that you see listed as “Must Have,” “Great Deals,” or Unbelievable Prices” are not made from Teak, but from wood called Nyatoh. This is an exotic hardwood, however it is not as hard or as durable as Teak, mainly because the furniture that you purchase at such “Great Prices, has been made from sapwood, and not from dried heartwood. Nyatoh dries slowly and has some tendencies to end split and warp. It is also usually rated as nondurable and or people living in termite-infested areas such as the Southeastern United States; Nyatoh has a low resistance to termite attack.

The majority of these marketers are banking on the fact that many people will not do their homework and research the product. Advertisers have studied long and hard and have mastered the art of putting spins on items to make the buying public, think they are getting more for their money than they truly are. Many big chain department stores, and Internet sites are selling “Teak like wood,” to unsuspecting consumers. This fake teakwood is even being sold in grocery and drugstores.

If you look at a comparison between Nyatoh wood and teakwood you will clearly see that Nyatoh is not Teak like. Nyatoh wood is rated at Class 3, nondurable wood, has a low resistance to termite attack and Nyatoh sapwood is subject to experiencing powder-post beetle attack. Other woods which have the same characteristics as Nyatoh include American Cherry, African mahogany, Japanese Oak, Southern White Pine, American Walnut, and Western Red Cedar, to name a few.

Teakwood is rated at Class 1, is extremely durable resistant to insects as well as to warping. Other woods, which have similar characteristics as Teak, include Ebony, Iroka, Makore, and Opepe to name a few. Woods that are rated at Class 2, whish is moderately durable include American Oak, Balau, Sweet Chestnut, Cedar, Ekki, and Karri woods to name a few.

Another difference between Nyatoh wood and teakwood, Nyatoh has to be protected with oil, and then treated yearly to maintain some level of protection from the elements. Teakwood does not have to be oiled, or treated to protect it from the elements. Owners of Nyatoh wood furniture who place it outdoors in the elements have to ensure that they keep the joints sufficiently oiled, this is the area where the protection is needed most. If water is trapped in the joints of this furniture, the wood will begin to rot.

Nyatoh wood has been fashioned in very similar styles as that of high quality outdoor furniture. If you are on a budget and cannot afford teakwood, then Nyatoh is the deal you are looking for, however, you have to be aware of what you are really purchasing. You have to understand that this is by no means, not teakwood and you will have to maintain it to ensure that it will handle the elements.