Teak is a close grained hardwood with high natural oil and rubber content. It is one of the hardest, strongest and most durable of all timbers, highly resistant to any rotting and almost impervious to the effects of hot sun, rain, frost or snow. The Teak we sell comes from plantations that thrive in Indonesia’s monsoon and other similar climates. Teak (Tectona Grandis) has exceptionally high oil content in its wood. This natural oil gives teak wood the quality of being extremely insect resistant as well. Teak is very strong and durable.  These characteristics combine to make it the ideal timber for all outdoor applications.  It has been the number one choice of boat builders for centuries.  Many other hardwoods are used for outdoor furniture and in fact a lot are even marked as "teak substitutes". There is no substitute for teak and no other hardwood in the world will perform to the same high quality standards as teak in outdoor conditions.