Teak: what you need to know

A tropical hardwood found throughout South East Asia, India and parts of Central Africa, it was first brought to Europe via Roman trade routes 2000 years ago and principally used in boatbuilding. Structurally strong and easily worked, it is also extremely hard-wearing and requires very little maintenance, perfect for flooring use.

Teak naturally contains oils that help to protect the wood, give it brilliant durability and offer great water resistance.

Mostly used as parquet blocks, with some examples of thin strips used in dancehalls, Teak was a popular if expensive choice of flooring. Since the 1960s however, it has become unprofitable for commercial use and therefore is becoming rarer and rarer. If you think you may have this wood as your floor, hold on to it. It's worth a lot of money!