Difference between plantation teak and recycled teak

Teak comes from the Far East, especially Southeast Asia. All our teak furniture comes from Central Java, where there is a large concentration of everything that has to do with teak and furniture. First some short general information about..

What is the difference between plantation teak and recycled teak

There is a difference in quality, despite the fact that it is often called teak, it is unfortunately not always the same. This article will discuss the difference between plantation teak and recycled teak . First, some short general information about teak in general and the teak we use for our furniture. Teak comes from the Far East, especially Southeast Asia. All our teak furniture comes from Central Java, where there is a large concentration of everything that has to do with teak and furniture.

Plantation teak

The plantation teak used for our teak furniture originates from the teak plantations established by the Indonesian government. These were established in the period of the Dutch East Indies and now serve for prosperity and labor in Central Java. Certificates are issued for this plantation teak, the so-called Perum Perhutani.

What is recycled teak?

The recycled teak that we use comes from old buildings and old wooden houses that are being demolished. In addition to the labor to manufacture furniture, the local population also gets a part back to build a stone house. In addition to the extra atmosphere that this old weathered teak gives to a new piece of furniture, it is of course also great that the wood is reused. For example, benches and chairs are currently being made from the craziest tree roots, while a few years ago the local population literally used them as firewood!

Which teak is better: plantation teak or recycled teak?

Both are equally good if processed well. Have you ever heard anyone talk about the difference between plantation oak or recycled oak? All oak furniture is manufactured in the Netherlands/Europe. The oak is dried well here and the furniture has (almost always) a good construction. This combination therefore does not cause any problems. In Indonesia there is a huge humidity during some periods --> rainy season. If the teak has not been in the drying room there and is loaded in a damp container, this will cause problems. The damp teak furniture is unloaded here, for example in the winter, and goes straight into your living room. During the winter you have everything well insulated and the heating is on, which means that the humidity in the house is sometimes unhealthily low. This teak furniture dries out and starts to crack (unless it is properly dried and manufactured). It does not matter whether it is plantation teak or recycled teak, it is about the fact that the wood is dried and has a good construction. There are companies that indicate that all the wood they use is " worked out ". Unfortunately this is not possible. All wood works and continues to work, plantation teak or oak or recycled teak or oak. However, the wood can be dried and the furniture can be constructed in such a way that you do not see that the wood works. Think of panels in doors and, for example, the blocks with which a table top is mounted to a base.

Not long ago we delivered to a lodge in Namibia. The owner told us that during the rainy season the panels in the doors were closed and in the dry season you could look outside! By the way, they were not our doors.. This kept going up and down and the wood was never fully worked out. These are more extreme weather conditions than in the Netherlands, Western Europe.

Smoothly finished teak top, yet recycled

Even the teak furniture that is finished smoothly can be made of recycled teak! 80-90% of our furniture is made of old recycled teak. The white teak is often smooth and evenly sanded and this is where the difference lies. You can choose from different finishes, smooth or rustic (old wood).

Need more information? Feel free to drop by or request a catalogue .