It is the first question almost every client asks when they commission a piece: teak or reclaimed wood? Both are excellent for Bali, both will outlast cheap imported furniture many times over, and the right answer depends less on which is “better” and more on the piece, the room and the look you want. Here is how we talk it through in the workshop.
What “Teak” Actually Means Here
Teak (jati) is a dense tropical hardwood naturally rich in oils and silica, which is exactly why it resists rot, insects and water far better than most timbers. That is why it is the global standard for outdoor and marine furniture. In Bali you will hear about Grade-A teak — the mature heartwood, even in colour and the most durable — and lower grades cut from younger or outer wood, which are cheaper but less stable. When we quote teak, we are clear about the grade, because it changes both the price and how the piece will age.
Fresh-cut teak does need proper seasoning. Timber that has not been dried correctly will move, check and split as it acclimatises — one of the most common reasons cheap “teak” furniture fails. We use kiln-dried or properly air-seasoned stock so the wood is stable before it becomes a table.
What “Reclaimed Wood” Means
Reclaimed wood in Bali is usually old teak — salvaged from former houses, boats, railway sleepers, bridges and old furniture. Its biggest advantage is built in: the timber is often decades old and has already done all the moving, shrinking and settling it is ever going to do. That makes it extremely stable, which is gold for large surfaces like dining tabletops that you never want to cup or split.
It also carries character that new wood simply cannot fake — nail holes, old bolt marks, weathered grain, tonal variation. For a rustic, lived-in or industrial look, reclaimed teak is unbeatable. The trade-offs: supply is irregular (we work with the boards available, so two pieces are never identical), and heavily weathered stock needs more labour to prepare, which can offset its lower raw cost.
Side by Side
Durability: Both are excellent. Grade-A teak is the benchmark for outdoor and coastal use; reclaimed teak is just as durable indoors and exceptionally stable for large tops. For exposed terraces and beachfront, we lean Grade-A teak with stainless fixings — see our outdoor collection.
Look: New teak gives a clean, even, contemporary surface that can be oiled golden or left to silver. Reclaimed wood gives texture, history and warmth, ideal for rustic and characterful interiors — the heart of our dining tables and bedroom pieces.
Cost: It varies. Reclaimed raw timber can be cheaper, but preparation labour and irregular supply narrow the gap; premium Grade-A teak is consistently priced at the top. We give exact figures per piece on the pricing page and in your quote.
Stability: Reclaimed teak wins for large flat surfaces because it is fully settled. Properly seasoned new teak is also stable; unseasoned teak of any grade is not — which is the real thing to avoid.
How We'd Choose
- Outdoor, poolside or beachfront: Grade-A teak with stainless fixings, every time.
- A large dining or conference tabletop: reclaimed teak for stability and character, or a new live-edge slab for a statement.
- A clean, modern interior: new Grade-A teak, oiled or lightly finished.
- A rustic, warm or industrial interior: reclaimed teak, leaning into its marks and tone.
- Built-in cabinetry: often a mix — solid teak fronts over stable engineered cores, covered in our cabinetry collection.
The honest summary: there is no wrong choice between properly seasoned teak and good reclaimed teak in Bali. Both will give you furniture your grandchildren could still be using. What actually matters is the seasoning, the joinery and the finish — the things that separate furniture built to last from furniture built to sell. Send us a photo of your space on WhatsApp and we will recommend the right timber for each piece, with a price and a lead time.