The original teak It is one of the most coveted woods in the world. Paradoxically, over the years, it has proven to be the least environmentally friendly option. In the past, it was the wood par excellence for furniture, carving, exterior applications such as decking, and shipbuilding.
Today, teak wood still reigns supreme in the world of carpentry. Unfortunately, due to the overexploitation of this precious resource, teak availability has drastically decreased worldwide. As a result, it has been added to the list of endangered resources, and today its harvesting, production, and trade are restricted or even prohibited in many countries.
All of this leads us to ask: If I don't use teak wood, what can I use then? Fortunately, there are many substitutes for real teak, as well as the option of choosing synthetic teak. It is possible to be responsible and opt for an environmentally friendly choice like teak. synthetic teak, which is also called «"Flexiteek"».
In this post, we analyze the pros and cons of choosing Flexiteek teak, but to begin, let's quickly reiterate the advantages of teak wood.
THE BENEFITS OF TEAK WOOD
Teak is one of the most expensive types of wood in the world. It offers both elegance and durability. Teak is one of the few wood varieties that can survive in a marine environment. This wood is less prone to splintering, warping, and shrinking than other types of wood, making it ideal for furniture making.
Teak has a high density due to its high silica content. This makes it a preferred choice for shipbuilding. The abundant natural oils present in teak wood give it considerable resistance to insect attack. For the same reason, it is reasonably water-resistant, which also favors marine applications.
Another noteworthy aspect of teak is how the wood grain is enhanced with a touch of varnish or oil. Teak acquires a beautiful sheen when properly finished. And even over time, with a little maintenance, you can keep the wood looking fresh and glossy.
If left outdoors, exposed to the elements, it develops a silvery-gray patina, forming a protective layer. This reduces the need for regular maintenance.
So far we have reviewed the advantages of teak wood; let's now consider what synthetic teak can offer us.
BENEFITS OF SYNTHETIC TEAK
The synthetic teak "Flexiteek" can never completely replace genuine teak, simply because they are different materials. However, using this material has numerous advantages, as outlined below.
Flexiteek is a patented brand of synthetic teak that is very popular worldwide. Many previous attempts to imitate teak wood fell short in many aspects. Unlike teak, Flexiteek does not fade with exposure to sunlight and is resistant to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
This material is ideal for boat decks because it is incredibly water-resistant. Furthermore, it offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, making it perfect for marine environments.
Other Flexiteek advantage The advantage is that it doesn't require a finish like genuine teak. It's quite resistant to stains, oils, and grease, and simply using soap and water will yield excellent results. Another benefit, sometimes overlooked but highly valued in the long run, is its excellent sound insulation, capable of reducing noise levels by up to 11 dB.
By choosing synthetic teak, you're making an environmentally responsible choice. Flexiteek is made from PVC that doesn't come from trees. No deforestation occurs during the manufacturing of this material, meaning you can be confident that your choice is eco-friendly.
SYNTHETIC TEAK (FLEXITEEK) VERSUS TEAK WOOD
With so many positive aspects of Flexiteek, we find ourselves in a head-to-head battle between the two materials regarding their advantages. To gain an unbiased perspective, it's best to analyze the pros and cons of each material.
PROS OF SYNTHETIC TEAK
- Flexiteek is very affordable.
- It is a popular material widely tested by its various worldwide distributors.
- Flexiteek creates comfortable non-slip surfaces for decks, boats, and even indoor floors for swimming pools or homes.
- It has a uniform appearance and a wide variety of colors and caulking to choose from.
- Flexiteek is UV resistant.
- It is very water resistant, much more so than teak or other real woods.
- It is lighter, which makes it easier to handle, transport, and carry on board.
- Synthetic teak It's much easier to maintain than the royal teak.
- There is no need to use screws or nails to install Flexiteek; a two-component adhesive is all that is needed.
- You don't need conventional woodworking tools to cut it. You only need a sharp utility knife to cut the material.
CONS OF FLEXITEEK
- Synthetic teak tends to absorb heat, making it uncomfortable to walk on during the hottest hours of the day in regions that experience high temperatures.
- Although it is difficult to distinguish to the eye, synthetic teak cannot duplicate the lustrous appearance and fine satin texture of the original teak.
- The appearance or texture of the Flexiteek surface cannot be modified once the selection has been made.
- Although Flexiteek plays a prominent role when it comes to boat floors and decks, we cannot use it to make furniture due to its lack of rigidity.
PROS OF TEAK WOOD
- Original teak has a visual appeal due to the inherent beauty of a material like wood.
- It has a natural resistance to water and insect attack due to the natural oils present in the wood.
- You can modify its color and texture to blend into the existing decor by applying the appropriate treatment.
- Real teak has a solid heaviness that cannot be matched by synthetic teak.
DISADVANTAGES OF TEAK WOOD
- Maintaining real teak is a laborious, arduous, and complex procedure compared to Flexiteek.
- Excessive maintenance of real teak (frequent sanding and brushing) causes the wear to double.
- Genuine teak is not easy to obtain and represents a incredibly higher outlay to their synthetic counterparts.
- Teak fades over time, but the silvery-gray patina that develops attracts some people.
CONCLUSIONS
Whether you choose genuine teak or Flexiteek for your projects, you can be confident you'll achieve stunning results. You might think that using real teak is an irresponsible choice. It doesn't have to be. While teak is banned in many countries, others have addressed the environmental concerns.
The Indonesian government, for example, has created a company dedicated to facilitating teak cultivation, harvesting, production, trade, and replanting. If you can acquire genuine teak, it's important to confirm its origin.
On the other hand, you can undoubtedly assume that if you use Flexiteek, you are contributing to the environment. You will obtain a cost-effective, attractive, and long-lasting solution.
Which to choose: teak wood or Flexiteek? There is no perfect choice: if you are unsure of the origin of the authentic teak or if you are not willing to take on the energy and time cost of maintaining teak wood, you can opt for Flexiteek.
If you're in the middle of the process and haven't quite made a decision for your boat, consult with our team through our various channels, whether via our form, Facebook, or even Instagram: we're sure that Our more than 20 years of installation and consulting They will be useful when making a decision.
