Solid teak vs. Teak Veneer: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
The tropical timber teak comes from its large deciduous tree, which grows in hardwood forests. And this wood is known for its many fine qualities, including longevity and durability, not to mention its beautiful natural appearance plus the fact that it needs next to nothing in the way of maintenance and upkeep.
But you may not be aware of the differences between solid teak and teak veneer. The former is premium grade and known for its ability to withstand the elements; the more affordable teak veneer may look similar but comprises a real-wood surface layer bonded to a lower-quality base material such as plywood with glue. So, it’s potentially more vulnerable to damage and may not last as long as its solid counterpart in the long run. However, it does provide the look and feel of genuine teak more affordably.
With solid wood, you can look forward to superior durability and moisture resistance. So, it’s ideal for high-end outdoor furniture which, of course, you will want to last for a very long time.
How do I tell the difference between solid teak and teak veneer?
There are a number of key variations between real teak and teak veneer:
Thickness: While solid teak has a greater thickness throughout, veneer has just a slender layer of real wood over a core material.
Weight: Unsurprisingly, the real stuff is heavier.
Price: You can usually expect to pay a little more for the real McCoy – but you should look on solid teak as an investment.
What to think about when making your choice
If you’re trying to decide between a solid version of the hardwood and a veneer for your furniture, there are a number of things to take into account.
For furniture that will face heavy use or extended exposure to the elements, solid teak generally makes the better choice, although a veneer may be OK for decorative pieces which get less wear and tear.
While both offer the stunning appearance of teak wood, the solid version can last for decades with the right (minimal) attention, while veneer tends to have a shorter usable life.
Finally, bear in mind that while you can refinish and sand solid teak, a veneer is often trickier to repair if damaged.
A mention of teak grading
For solid teak furniture, Grade A is the recommended grade of this hardwood. This timber is sourced from the heartwood at the centre of mature trees, providing the best mix of durability, resistance to the elements, and a gorgeous appearance. It also has a consistent colour and the highest concentration of natural oils to provide the benefits mentioned above. Plus, its tight graining makes it ideal for high-end applications.
Teak veneer, on the other hand, also uses Grade B wood, which is from the outermost part of the heartwood and has greater colour variation and knots, with slightly less oil content than Grade A timber.
Grade C teak is of a poorer quality and not generally used in veneers.
Solid wood furniture from Chic Teak
At Chic Teak, all our furniture is made using only 100% Grade A heartwood solid teak. It’s all plantation-grown hardwood, with no veneers or shortcuts and it’s ethically grown and harvested. Plus, it’s hand-finished by expert craftsmen.
We believe it is this that sets us apart from the competition. Browse our website and see our varied line-up of teak garden furniture pieces. Or come and view it for yourself in our Hampshire showroom – book your appointment today.
And we’re always happy to answer questions. Give us a call on 01256 398008 or email sales@chicteak.co.uk.