Teak is an almost perfect wood for decking boats for a number of reasons. The first is that it resists rot, fungi and mildew. This is important because rotten wood decays and becomes weaker which results in serious degradation of boat hull structures. This damage is very costly to repair and can be avoided by investing in rot-resistant building materials like teak as well as ensuring you follow the necessary steps in taking care of your boat.
Teak is also very durable in the marine environment and has earned a serious reputation for longevity. If a teak deck is looked after well, it can last up to 20 years or more. This is an important point to note: that while a teak deck can last a long time, it needs regular looking after to be able to claim those additional years. This maintenance can be time-consuming and expensive to boat owners. However, even unprocessed, teak is a beautiful material. And it might just be worth those extra hours, to see the iron or steel body of your boat juxtaposed with an exceptionally attractive deck made with teak’s gorgeous grain and deep colour.
Physically, teak is also an extremely ideal wood for boat construction. Since teak wood is one of the hardest woods available, it is quite strong and dense. This makes it perfect for decking boats where the hull of the boat will be subjected to both stress and abuse that would break a lighter type of wood.
Teak’s high silica content also gives it non-skid properties which are a necessary characteristic for constructing boat decks. Choosing a non-skid material to build your deck is important because sailors need a material that provides traction on wet decks. However, it is the exact presence of this silica in the wood that consequently makes Teak decks hard to paint or varnish. The sight of varnished teak though, with its beautiful warm color gleaming in the sunlight, should be enough to make you sell your soul to afford the cost and time associated with keeping a teak deck pristine.
The natural oils in teak act as further protection for the wood, preventing cracking, shrinking, or expanding, even when in contact with direct water and sunlight. As boats are naturally in the open, in damp, wet and sunlight-filled areas then teak’s ability to withstand these conditions becomes a remarkable asset and makes teak a classic for all mariners.
A further application of teak’s sturdiness (since it neither warp’s, twists or expands easily) is it’s use in the making of boat interiors including doors, hatches and cabinetry. Teak is also comparatively easy to work and finish, which enables it to be used in both exterior applications requiring close fitting tolerances (e.g. planking) as well as interior trim.
So do we recommend that you take a trip down to your nearest mass of overgrown forestry, grab an axe, chop down a tree, build a boat, and put all these theoretical teak properties to the test?
I mean, no. Not. For one, that’s unsanctioned deforestation. And two, who has that time?
Instead, what we’d like is for you to look at teak through our very knowledgeable and practical eyes. We want to give you the opportunity to see teak, to understand teak, and to maybe, perhaps, possibly, buy a couple of drinks that you and your friends can enjoy in your garden with your beautiful outdoor furniture, provided to you by Equatoria Teak Products.
You see, the things that make teak so fantastic for decking boats, make it equally as fantastic for numerous out of range of applications. It’s water resistance and resistance to rot makes teak ideal for a sailor with an unfinished deck, also makes it ideal for a layman who wants to build himself a patio, or a picnic table. It’s sturdiness that allows it to be used in construction of doors, drawers and wardrobes on sea, allows it to be used in construction of doors, drawers and wardrobes on land. Its remarkable finish can be used to deck your boat, but can also be used to provide magnificent tiling for your house. The options are endless.
To conclude, Teak as a construction material is the golden standard. Beautiful, efficient, long-lasting and practical, it sets the standard for superb craftsmanship and uncompromising quality.
