What is teak wood? Properties, colour and outdoor use

In short: teak (Tectona grandis) is a tropical hardwood, native to South and South East Asia. Almost all teak sold today is grown on plantations. It is a golden yellow brown, feels slightly oily, moves very little and weathers to silver grey outdoors. Teak is lighter and softer than Ipe. We use plantation teak from Africa for fencing and garden gates.

Where does teak come from?

Teak grows naturally in India, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. Demand has been high for centuries, so most teak is now grown on plantations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Ours is plantation teak from Africa.

Is teak a hardwood?

Yes. Teak comes from a broadleaved tree, so it is a hardwood. That does not make it as hard as Ipe, though: teak is roughly a third as hard. You notice it in the weight and in how easily it takes a dent.

Is teak waterproof?

No timber is truly waterproof, but teak is famous for coping with the weather, from ships' decks to garden furniture. It contains natural oils, which you can feel when you run your hand over it. How durable it is depends on where it grew and how old the tree was: its durability class ranges from 1 to 3. Old growth teak is class 1, plantation teak varies by origin. Our teak slats sit above ground on 60 x 60 mm azobé posts, so the teak never touches the soil.

Colour and weathering

Fresh teak is a yellow brown, sometimes with darker streaks, with a warm golden sheen. Outdoors it turns an even silver grey within a few months. That is only the surface layer. To keep the golden colour, oil it. See teak fence care for how.

Teak wood properties at a glance

PropertyTeakIpe for comparison
Botanical nameTectona grandisHandroanthus
ColourYellow brown, golden sheenYellow brown to dark olive brown
Density at 12% moistureapprox. 670 kg/m³approx. 1,050 kg/m³
Hardness (Janka)4,740 N15,520 N
Shrinkage tangential / radial4.7% / 2.6%6.4% / 5.1%
Durability class1 to 3, depending on origin1
CITESNot listedAppendix II since 25 November 2024

Sources: CIRAD Tropix and The Wood Database. These are averages, a single board can differ.

Does teak move much?

No. Teak shrinks and swells less than most outdoor timbers, and less than Ipe. It rarely warps or splits as it dries. For narrow fence slats that is exactly what you want: they stay straight and the gaps stay even.

What do we use teak for?

For teak fencing and teak garden gates. It is built just like our Ipe fencing: horizontal slats 50, 70 or 90 mm wide, fixed with hidden clips, a 5 mm gap, on azobé posts. Teak is 10% less than the same fence in Ipe, from £296.92 per metre run. Available from November 2026, you can order now.

Price your teak fence

Teak wood FAQ

Is teak expensive?

Teak has a reputation for being pricey, but our teak fencing is 10% less than the same fence in Ipe. The fence calculator shows the difference for your sizes straight away.

Is teak heavy?

No. At about 670 kg per m³ it is much lighter than Ipe (about 1,050 kg per m³), so the slats are easy to handle and fit.

Does teak go grey?

Yes, left untreated outdoors it weathers to silver grey. Oil keeps the golden colour for longer.

What is the difference between teak and Ipe?

Teak is lighter in colour and weight, softer and moves less. Ipe is far harder and heavier. The full comparison is on teak vs Ipe.

Can I see teak before I order?

Yes, request a free sample and choose teak. We send samples as soon as the teak arrives in November 2026.

More on teak fencing

Written by Tom Wegter (team leader IT) and Marc Westerhuis (team leader communications) at Hardwood Discount · last updated: 21 October 2026 · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube · Pinterest