How can I spot fake teak furniture?

You can spot fake or low-quality teak by checking for three things: 1) A 'swirly' grain (Grade A is straight), 2) White or pale yellow streaks (this is sapwood), and 3) An unnatural uniformity, which suggests the wood has been chemically stained to hide defects.

Is Grade A teak worth the extra cost?

Yes. Buying Grade C teak is often a false economy as it may need replacing in 3 years. Grade A teak is an investment in heirloom quality that can remain in your garden for decades without losing its strength.

Grade A vs. Grade C Teak: Why Heartwood is the Only Choice for UK Gardens

Q: What is Grade A Teak?

Grade A teak is the 'gold standard' timber taken from the heartwood of a mature tree. It is saturated with natural oils and rubber, making it naturally water-repellent, resistant to insects, and capable of lasting 50+ years outdoors without treatment.

Q: What is Grade C Teak?

Grade C teak is the 'sapwood' from the outer living layer of the tree. It is porous, lacks protective oils, and acts like a sponge in wet weather. This leads to warping and rot, often within just 2-5 years in the UK climate.

ahmad kurdi
6 days ago
4 min read

Side-by-side comparison: Grade C teak on left shows deep cracks, uneven grain, knots and dark patches; Grade A teak on right has smooth, uniform golden-brown grain with tight even texture.

Grade A Teak is the mature "heartwood" from the center of the tree, rich in natural oils and rubber that prevent rot for 50+ years. Grade C Teak is the outer "sapwoodit is soft, lacks protective oils, and often rots within two years in the UK climate . For durability, always choose Grade A Teak Garden Furniture.

If you have spent any time researching garden furniture, you have likely noticed a confusing price disparity. You might see a "teak" bench for £300, while a similar-looking bench at a premium retailer is £900.

They are both listed as teak. They both look golden (at first). So, what is the difference?

The answer lies in the grading of the timber.

In the world of premium furniture, not all teak is created equal. The difference between Grade A and Grade C is the difference between a bench that lasts a lifetime and one that rots before you’ve finished paying for it .

Here is everything you need to know to ensure you are buying Buy-It-For-Life quality.

The Anatomy of a Teak Log: Heartwood vs. Sapwood

To understand the grades, you have to look inside the tree. A teak log is composed of two distinct sections:

[Insert Image: Cross section of teak log showing dark heartwood and light sapwood]

The Heartwood (Grade A): This is the hard, dark center of the log. As the tree matures over 30-50 years, this wood becomes incredibly dense and fills with natural oils and silica (rubber).
The Sapwood (Grade C): This is the outer living layer of the tree. Its job is to transport water from the roots to the leaves. It is spongy, porous, and contains almost no protective oils.

What is Grade A Teak?

Grade A teak is the "gold standard." It refers exclusively to the heartwood of a mature tree.

Because it is saturated with natural oils, Grade A teak is naturally water-repellent and resistant to insects, fungi, and the harsh freeze-thaw cycles of the British winter . You do not need to varnish it; the wood protects itself.

Appearance: Uniform golden-brown colour with a close, straight grain.
Texture: Oily to the touch (smooth and slightly waxy).
Lifespan: Can last 50+ years outdoors without treatment .

At Palm and Olive, every single piece of timber we use—from our massive 12-seater dining sets to our smallest coffee tables—is 100% Grade A Heartwood, sourced from sustainable FSC-certified plantations .

What is Grade C Teak?

Grade C teak is the "sapwood." While technically still "teak," it lacks the properties that make the wood valuable.

Because sapwood is designed to transport water, it is porous. When you put Grade C furniture in a damp UK garden, it acts like a sponge. It absorbs moisture, which leads to warping, cracking, and eventually, rot—often within just two years .

Appearance: Very pale, yellowish-white, with uneven color patches.
Texture: Dry and rough.
Lifespan: Short. Often fails within 2-5 years.

Warning: The "Chemically Treated" TrickMany budget retailers take Grade C sapwood (which is white) and stain it with acid or heavy chemicals to make it look like Grade A heartwood. This chemical finish washes off after a few months of rain, revealing the weak, patchy wood underneath .

Comparison: Grade A vs. Grade C

Teak Grade C (left: cracked, uneven, knotty) vs Grade A (right: smooth, uniform grain).

Feature	Grade A (Heartwood)	Grade C (Sapwood)
Source	Center of the log (mature)	Outer layers (young/living)
Oil Content	Extremely High	Very Low / None
Durability	20+ Years	2–5 Years
UK Weather Resistance	Impervious to rain/frost	Absorbs water (rots)
Maintenance	None required (Cosmetic only)	Requires constant sealing
Price	Premium	Cheap

How to Spot "Fake" Quality (The Garden Test)

When shopping online or in showrooms, use these three checks to ensure you are getting genuine Grade A quality for your garden bench or table:

Check the Grain: Grade A has a tight, straight grain. If the wood looks "swirly" or has many knots, it is likely lower grade or from a young, immature tree.
Look for White Patches: If you see streaks of white or very pale yellow wood mixed in with the brown, that is sapwood. Even a small amount of sapwood introduces a weak point where rot will begin.
The "Uniformity" Trap: If a table looks too perfect and uniform in color, like plastic, it may have been chemically stained to hide the Grade C wood. Genuine Grade A teak has a natural, warm glow and subtle variations, but never stark white streaks.

Conclusion: The Investment View

Buying Grade C teak is a false economy. You might pay less today, but you will likely be replacing that furniture in three years.

Palm and Olive furniture is an investment in heirloom quality. By using only dense, oil-rich heartwood, we ensure that your teak table and chairs can remain in your garden for decades—turning from a warm honey gold to a distinguished silver-grey, without ever losing its strength .

Ready to invest in the best?