Four smooth teak floorboards laid side by side on a dark wooden floor, showing knots, small holes and colour variation

Where the variation comes from

Teak recovered from old buildings has had years of exposure to light, air and use, and heartwood and sapwood age differently. Our teak data sheet describes the wood as dark brown and gold, with parts of the sapwood creamy or even brownish white, turning light brown after a long time in the open air, especially in the sun.

In our sales agreement we describe the range more broadly: from very light yellow, almost white, to dark brown, with greyish or greenish hues possible.

How much variation to expect

As an industry average, about 50% of a reclaimed teak production batch may show visible colour variation, and that percentage may vary. Plan for a floor with a mix of tones rather than a single shade: it is a feature of the material, not a defect.

What about the pale sapwood?

When properly aged and selected, reclaimed teak sapwood is fully dried, hardened and structurally sound, with mechanical performance comparable to heartwood. We do not source freshly reclaimed teak from recently felled trees, because new sapwood would be soft and prone to decay or borer attack. All reclaimed teak we supply is selected for age, density and hardness through physical inspection.

Planning for it

See samples, or visit the lumberyard (by appointment only), before you decide.
Ask your installer to lay boards from several bundles together so that the tones blend.
Decide early whether you want the variation or a more even floor. Colour selection, sorting or exclusion is possible on request, subject to a feasibility check and adjusted pricing.
Test your finish on a sample. Teak needs appropriate finishing, coating and regular maintenance depending on exposure; natural weathering or patina is not considered a defect.
If you need strong uniformity across a large area, compare with plantation-grown teak.

Smooth or rustic?

Our catalogue lists teak flooring in both a smooth and a rustic (wire-brushed) finish (references FTKS-S4TBR and FTKCB-S3TBR). Ask for a sample of each from current stock, so you can judge the difference with your own eyes.