When seeking more natural looks and solutions for projects, you might be drawn to products described with such words as “reclaimed” or “certified.” Earlier this year, Anthology Woods launched its Sakhay Teak old-growth reclaimed material, which is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.
The reclaimed teak is old-growth wood from vintage structures—including pole-houses, warehouses and industrial buildings in Southeast Asia.
(Photo: Crane Shed Common in Bend, OR, features interior Sakhay Teak paneling. Image courtesy of Cheryl McIntosh)
Once the buildings are carefully deconstructed, the teak is stacked, sorted and milled, and objects like nails are removed and any holes are filled. Holes 1/8 inch and larger are pre-filled with teak and/or teak sanding dust mixed with glue. Wood is then trimmed, re-milled and surfaced, and the desired profile is added.
“It’s a delicate process, but the quality is definitely worth the effort,” explains Christina Lubarsky, marketing director for Anthology Woods. “Each plank of wood has a rich story like this, connecting us to the people and places along the way.”
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Since the wood is old growth—from trees growing over a long period of time rather than grown quickly to produce wood—she says that it’s much more stable and durable than young teak grown on plantations, which can be weaker in stability and hardness.
Versatility of Teak
Sakhay Teak is available in solid or engineered flooring and interior cladding, stair treads, tables, benches, decking and custom applications. For flooring and wall cladding, it features tongue-and-groove millwork, with engineered woods featuring a micro bevel.
(Photo: Sakhay Teak launched earlier this year and includes solid or engineered flooring and interior cladding, stair treads, tables, benches, decking and custom applications. Photo courtesy of Anthology Woods.)
The engineered teak features a wear layer 4 mm thick over a 10-mm thick, FSC-certified 7-ply birch new wood substrate. The solid wood can qualify for LEED credits, and reclaiming prevents further harvest of old growth while diverting materials from going to waste.
The teak is available in various finishes, including a natural oil wax, a low-VOC polyurethane, and specialty and custom finishes. “We personally love using the oil wax finish, which richens the natural colors and brings out the beautiful grain patterns,” Lubarsky says.
The Sakhay Teak has a 1075 Janka rating—the scale that measures the hardness of a wood. Although on the softer side of wood for flooring where heavy traffic could impact the surface, it can still withstand commercial wear, Lubarsky notes, especially for its easy maintenance and stability.
“As a flooring option, it is a bit softer than oak and may show signs of wear over time in heavy commercial applications, but it is very well suited for light commercial and residential flooring applications. Wood naturally ages and changes over time and with use, which, in our perspective, only richens its beauty,” Lubarsky says.
That shouldn’t deter you or your clients from using teak in a project, since it can be used inside or outside in a variety of ways. Beyond the flexibility of use, teak benefits include:
- Stability and durability
- Low maintenance
- Low shrinkage ratio to resist warping
- Water resistant
- High levels of silica and oil in the wood, which help with:
- Longevity
- Resistance to rot and cracking
- Protection against insect damage
(Photo: Sakhay Teak is available in various finishes, including a natural oil wax, a low-VOC polyurethane, and specialty and custom finishes. Photo courtesy of Anthology Woods.)
“[Teak] ages beautifully, developing a silver patina in outdoor conditions,” Lubarsky says. “In short, teak is an amazing and versatile wood.”
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