THE HISTORY OF TEAK

In the 1700s, the traders of the Dutch East India Company in Indonesia began to recognise the value of teak due to its natural non-slip surface, amazing durability, water resistance, and decay resistance. This led to the Dutch electing to use it as the wood of choice for their naval vessels, allowing these ships to sail longer and farther than those of other nations.

These teak wood ships, named Dutch East Indiamen, made the Netherlands an economic power that rivalled that of England and Spain. Eventually, the rest of Europe caught up with the Dutch. This naval upgrade exists through to the present day, as the tough teak is still ranked as a favourite for boat decks and trim.