Good Wood Carpentry Pte Ltd is proud to share that the architecture school of the National University of Singapore (NUS) approached us in February 2023 to get samples of Burmese Teak wood to showcase to their architecture students. This article shall share more about the specifications and usage of Burmese Teak wood for the construction industry in Singapore.
In Singapore, Burmese Teak wood is commonly used as indoor flooring for bedrooms and living rooms. Originated from Myanmar, a neighbouring country. The cost to import the wood is lower than other woods from different county origins. The affordable pricing of Burmese Teak wood in Singapore contributes to the high demand in the construction industry. This article will explore Burmese Teak wood’s characteristics. This makes it the most reputable university in Singapore in NUS to appreciate wood.
What is Burmese Teak Flooring?
Burmese teak is a sturdy hardwood with a rising market demand widely used in Singaporean homes. Myanmar is the country of origin for this exotic wood. It is regarded as the highest grade and best type of wood for flooring that ages nicely over time due to its adaptability and durability. Other common uses of Burmese teak besides flooring include woodworking, indoor and outdoor furniture, and construction.
Knowing how to spot genuine Burmese teak is crucial since it is a luxury flooring material frequently with a higher price tag due to its superior quality. They can be identified, among other things, by their colour, grain or texture, scent, and water absorption.
Colour
Burmese Teak has a golden brown colour with some tonality. Some planks are lighter, and some planks are darker.
Grain/Texture
Burmese teak typically has a straight grain with darker streaks, though occasionally, the grains will interlock. The teak has a rough, uneven texture and a little sheen naturally.
Fragrance
It may easily be distinguished from other woods by its fragrance. When freshly milled, the teak’s natural oil has a subtle yet unique scent that is earthy and leathery.
Water Solubility
Burmese teak has high water-resistance qualities because of the natural oil it contains. Drop a point of water on the natural and faux teak flooring to see how well this technique works. A water droplet remains on the surface of genuine Burmese teak, while one on imitation teak will permeate the wood.
Burmese teak flooring, which exudes the prestige of the homeowner, is frequently viewed as a symbol of affluence in South-East Asia. Designers use Burmese teak for its aesthetic appeal because it offers countless flooring design options that endure throughout time. The colour tone gradually darkens as it is exposed, giving your home a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Burmese teak flooring improves the room’s appearance overall and gives your comfortable home a friendly atmosphere.
Why Should You Opt For the Burmese Teak
Burmese teak is a popular choice among interior designers and homeowners for flooring for a variety of reasons. While many different flooring options exist, including laminate and vinyl, quality is frequently associated with a better long-term investment. Here are the top six reasons Burmese teak flooring is a well-liked option.
Durability
Investing in high-quality flooring is crucial because it must endure wear and tear from significant foot traffic, as floors make up most of a room’s surface area. Burmese Teak flooring can withstand high humidity, which is common in Singapore’s climate, and is more cost-effective over time. Due to the wood’s natural oil, they are resistant to long-term shrinkage and expansion, and moderate to high density prevents excessive cracking, surface splinters, and loss of original form. It is also highly resistant to termite infestations, rot, fungi, and mildew, all of which are the worst things that can ever happen to a property.
The hardness of diamonds compared to other gemstones and minerals is one of the reasons they are so valuable. You may consider teak to be the diamond of hardwoods.
Naturally Repels Water & Insects
The high oil content of teak wood is one of its distinguishing features. Many of the teak’s attractive characteristics, like resistance to water and insect damage, result from this oil.
Teak flooring is an excellent option for indoor flooring. Moisture in the air and on the surface of the wood is repelled by the wood’s tiny pores and natural oil content.
Plus, teak oil, more often than not, repels insects! Rarely do insects use teak wood as a source of food or protection. Throughout the lifespan of your new flooring, that is one less thing you need to be concerned about.
Sustainability
Burmese Teak flooring, for example, gives homeowners the flexibility to make environmentally beneficial choices. Due to strict regulatory regulations, manufacturers are shifting to manufacturing flooring materials that are sourced and created sustainably. Burmese teak improves indoor air quality and ensures that your family lives comfortably in a safe and healthy atmosphere at home.
Easy Care & Maintenance
Burmese teak flooring has a brilliant natural glow even without any treatment since teak is inherently oil-rich. Unlike other hardwoods, which need regular sanding and upkeep, the crude oil in the wood helps it resist dry rot and splitting. Additionally, the resin present in timber inhibits termite and pest infestation and is naturally resistant to water and fungi, saving homeowners time and hassle. Burmese teak flooring can last a very long time with proper maintenance.
Installation
Various installation techniques are available depending on the space’s floor size and the owner’s selected style. By securing the floorboards together during installation, the tongue and groove connection method enables the wood components to fit together flawlessly. They are appropriate for larger floor spaces since they employ longer wood strips. On the other hand, the parquet method involves laying a jigsaw puzzle of wooden blocks on top of a flat, solid base, like a concrete slab. For smaller, more condensed floor spaces, this strategy works well.
Aesthetics
Burmese teak flooring warms up the interior with its deep golden-yellow colour, transforming into a more rustic brown with time and exposure. Burmese teak comes in various grains, hues, and textures; each cut is distinctive. How the flooring is laid out affects the room’s atmosphere and gives it a more significant, more prominent appearance. Patterned floorings like herringbone and basket weave can complement the interior space’s design. There are countless options for setup. Its timeless appeal and simplicity of integration into both traditional and modern interior design ideas make it a popular choice for flooring among homeowners.
Characteristics of Burmese Teak Wood
Burmese Teak wood comes in golden brown colour with beautiful curvy grains and some dual tonality; some planks always appear darker than others. While a few people may be critical of the tonality from the consistency perspective, most appreciate the natural aspect of such difference.
The picture above shows Burmese Teak wood flooring for a bedroom. The wood’s dual tonality (light and dark) can be seen. Burmese Teak wood is durable in Singapore for many usages, including flooring, staircase steps, handrail, and ceilings.
Usage of Burmese Teak Wood
Burmese Teak Wood Flooring
The most common use of Burmese Teak is as an indoor flooring material for bedrooms and living rooms. Wood is known to moderate temperature better than other artificial materials like tiles, making wood a popular choice for bedroom floorings. When your air-conditioning runs the whole night, the wood flooring will not get too cold in the morning. House owners may also choose the size of wood strips that match their preferences.
Burmese Teak Wood Staircase
While most houses in Singapore do not have stairs, there is an apparent demand for Burmese Teak wood steps on homes with stairs, like landed houses and HDB maisonettes. You can have a piece of Burmese Teak wood stair tread and flooring strips for the staircase.
As illustrated above, house owners can see the beautiful curvy grains and dual tonality of Burmese Teak wood on their stairs with both options.
Burmese Teak Wood Handrail
We have also done many handrail projects with Burmese Teak wood material for older people. Most elderly people prefer a circle-shaped handrail.
Burmese Teak Wood Ceiling
Many house owners like to see wood on their ceilings, and Burmese Teak wood has become a popular option for the top in Singapore due to its beautiful grains and colour. Burmese Teak wood flooring material is slightly adjusted and installed upwards instead with the help of a ladder.
Burmese Teak wood can also be used outdoors for ceilings as long as it is protected from direct sunlight.
Different Varnish Techniques
Burmese Teak Wood Stairs with Dark Walnut Varnish
Burmese Teak Wood Staircase in White Wash Finish
Burmese Teak Handrail in Dark Walnut Varnish
While we have discussed the usage of Burmese Teak wood, you should note that while most Teak wood projects are done in clear varnish-like all the above photos, Teak wood also looks good in some other colours.
We hope you have enjoyed reading about Burmese Teak wood with us. Do you have any specific questions regarding Burmese teak wood flooring in your house? Contact us to learn more about Burmese Teak wood for flooring, stairs, handrails, or ceilings. You may visit our website at www.sggoodwood.com. Or you may contact us via 86162206 or email us at enquiry@sggoodwood.com.
