At Naramulya, we believe that high-quality furniture begins with a deep and technical understanding of the materials. When it comes to manufacturing durable, world-class furniture, the single most important component is the wood itself. For this, we have built our reputation on the superior qualities of Indonesian teak wood.
This guide is a transparent, straightforward look into our manufacturing philosophy. It is designed to provide clients, partners, and discerning customers with a clear understanding of what makes a piece of teak furniture a true long-term investment. We will walk you through the critical aspects of the material—from its origins and grading systems to our non-negotiable drying and construction processes. This is the technical knowledge that defines the value and longevity of the furniture that leaves our facility.
Table of Contents
Section 1: What is Indonesian Teak Wood? (The Honest Basics)
The Tree Itself
First, let’s start with the source. Indonesian teak wood, known botanically as Tectona grandis, is a tropical hardwood native to Southeast Asia. It has earned a global reputation for one simple reason: its unparalleled strength and natural durability. As a material, it is dense and heavy, providing the solid feel that is the first indicator of quality construction.
The “Magic” Ingredient
The unique properties of Indonesian teak wood stem from its internal composition. The wood has a high concentration of natural oils and silica-infused rubber within its grain. This is not an additive; it is an inherent part of the material. These compounds provide a built-in defense system, acting as a natural water repellent that prevents moisture from penetrating the wood, which in turn prevents the warping, cracking, and brittleness that affect lesser woods. This is what makes teak uniquely suited for a long life, even in demanding outdoor environments.
A Quick History & Geography Lesson
The historical performance of Indonesian teak wood is the ultimate proof of its durability. For centuries, before the advent of modern composites, master shipbuilders used teak for the decks and hulls of ocean-going vessels. It was chosen for its ability to withstand decades of constant exposure to saltwater and harsh sun. Our manufacturing philosophy is grounded in this fact: if the material can handle the ocean, it can certainly provide a lifetime of service in a home or garden.
Furthermore, the wood’s quality is heavily influenced by its geography. The best teak comes from soil with high lime content that is not overly fertile or wet. In Indonesia, the most prized timber is harvested from specific regions known for producing premium-quality wood, including the areas of Blora, Cepu, Pacitan, and parts of Gunung Kidul. While other regions produce good teak, lumber from these areas is considered the gold standard in our industry.
While other regions produce good teak, the wood from these areas is simply the best you can get.
Section 2: The Real Deal on Indonesian Teak Wood Quality: Our Grading System
A core part of our commitment to transparency is educating our clients that not all teak is the same. The price and performance of a finished piece of furniture are directly tied to the grade of the timber used. At Naramulya, we classify our Indonesian teak wood into three distinct grades. This system allows us to meet a range of project specifications and budgets without ever compromising on honest communication.
It’s important to note that Grade C isn’t “low quality” in an absolute sense. A better analogy is in the automotive world: a Toyota Camry isn’t a poorly made car just because a Ferrari exists. It’s simply a different class of product engineered for a different purpose and budget.
Grade A (The Best of the Best)
- The Wood: For Grade A, we specify Indonesian teak wood from large, mature trees grown in government-managed
PERHUTANIplantations. These well-maintained forests produce timber with a remarkably stable and tight grain. We utilize only the “heartwood”—the dense, oil-rich center of the log—which delivers the most consistent color and highest durability. This process requires cutting away a significant portion of the outer sapwood, which increases material cost but results in a superior product. - Best For: High-end architectural projects, bespoke furniture commissions, and clients who require the highest standard of material quality.
Grade B (The Smart Choice)
- The Wood: For Grade B, we use large logs sourced from privately-owned land (kayu rakyat). We still specify heartwood-only, ensuring the final product maintains excellent strength and durability. The primary difference from Grade A is the wood’s origin, which allows for a more accessible price point.
- Best For: The vast majority of our projects. Grade B offers the best balance of high performance and cost-effectiveness, making it the preferred choice for many of our professional and retail clients.
Grade C (The Budget-Conscious Option)
- The Wood: For Grade C, we utilize wood from smaller-diameter logs and use the full plank, which includes the lighter-colored “sapwood” layer. While structurally sound, the visible sapwood can be a cosmetic consideration. Its appearance can be minimized with darker finishes.
- The Key to Success: Because timber from smaller logs is inherently less stable, the drying process for this grade is absolutely critical. It must be perfectly kiln-dried to mitigate the risk of warping or cracking.
- Best For: Projects where budget is the primary driver and aesthetic consistency is less critical.
Our Standard
Our company standard for all Naramulya-branded collections is to use Grade A and B wood. We are fully capable of manufacturing with Grade C for specific B2B projects, but we believe in being completely transparent about the material specifications at every level.
Section 3: The Most Important Step: Drying Your Indonesian Teak Wood Properly
A manufacturer can source the best Grade A teak in the world, but if the wood isn’t dried correctly, the finished furniture is destined to fail. This is not an exaggeration; improper drying is the leading cause of structural failure in furniture manufacturing.
Why We Never Use “Green” Wood
When a tree is first cut, the wood is full of water. We call this “green” wood. If you try to build something with it, the wood will start to dry unevenly. As the water leaves, the wood shrinks, twists, and cracks. A perfectly flat tabletop can warp into a useless curve, and strong joints can pull themselves apart. It’s a disaster.
The Two Methods: Air vs. The Kiln
There are two ways to dry wood. You can air-dry it by stacking it with spacers to let air circulate, which can take many months or even years. Or, you can use a kiln.
A kiln is basically a huge, heated chamber where we can control the temperature and humidity. This lets us slowly and evenly remove the moisture from deep inside the planks until it reaches the perfect, stable level—usually around 10-12% moisture content for furniture that will live in a home. This is much faster and far more reliable than air-drying.
Our Process: It’s Non-Negotiable
At Naramulya, we kiln-dry every plank of teak we use. It is a mandatory step in our quality control protocol. It is the only way to guarantee the dimensional stability of the wood and ensure the furniture we deliver will remain straight and strong for generations. Any manufacturer that skips or rushes this step is not building a product to last.
Section 4: From a Plank to a Piece of Furniture (The Real Work)
Once the Indonesian teak wood is properly dried, it enters our manufacturing facility where it is transformed from raw material to finished product. This is where precision engineering and craftsmanship converge.
Choosing the Right Boards
Our process begins with careful material selection. For a large tabletop, our craftsmen select multiple boards and arrange them to create a pleasing, continuous grain pattern. For structural components like legs, we select planks with the straightest and strongest grain. This attention to detail is fundamental to the aesthetic and structural quality of the final piece.
The Heart of Construction: Good Joinery & Glue
This is the most important part of the entire build. The way the pieces of wood are connected determines how long the furniture will last.
- The Mortise and Tenon Joint: We don’t rely on a bunch of screws that can rust or loosen over time. We use traditional joinery, and the most important one is the mortise and tenon.
It’s a simple concept: we cut a hole (the mortise) into one piece of wood and shape the end of another piece (the tenon) to fit perfectly inside it. It’s basically a strong, interlocking wooden peg in a hole. This creates an incredibly strong connection that can handle weight and stress for a lifetime. - The Unsung Hero: The Right Glue: Even the best joint in the world needs the right glue. A simple white wood glue you find at a hardware store isn’t good enough for furniture that might be exposed to moisture or humidity changes.
We use high-quality, waterproof glues (like polyurethane or 2 component epoxy) specifically designed for this kind of work. The glue creates a permanent, weatherproof bond that makes the joint even stronger than the wood around it. Good joinery and good glue are a team; you can’t have one without the other.
The Final Touch: Sanding and Finishing
Once a piece is assembled, we spend a lot of time sanding every surface. We start with coarser sandpaper and work our way down to a very fine grit. This isn’t just about making it look nice; it’s about making it feel good to the touch. A proper sanding job closes the wood’s pores and results in a finish that is perfectly smooth and has a soft, subtle sheen. Only then is it ready for a finish, whether that’s a natural oil, a protective sealer, or just being left in its beautiful, raw state.
The finishing material we use:
- Water-based: A durable, low-VOC option.
- Oil-based: Best for achieving a deep, natural look. May require re-application over time.
- Nitrocellulose: Excellent for creating classic, antique-style finishes.
- Polyurethane (PU): Extremely durable and offers high resistance to UV and moisture.
- Melamine: A cost-effective option for specific project requirements.
Section 5: How Your Indonesian Teak Wood Furniture Will Age (A Guide to Care)
One of the best things about properly built teak furniture is that it doesn’t ask for much in return. It’s designed to be left outside and will last for decades with very little maintenance. How it looks over time is up to you.
The Famous Silver Patina (The “Do Nothing” Approach)
If you leave your teak furniture outside and do absolutely nothing, it will slowly and gracefully age. The sun’s UV rays will cause the oils on the surface to evaporate, and the wood will gradually change from its golden-brown color to a beautiful, soft, silvery-grey. This is the famous “teak patina.”
It’s important to understand that this is a completely natural process and it does not harm the wood at all. The structural integrity of your furniture will be just as strong as the day you got it. This silver look is something many people actually want, as it’s a sign of authentic, well-weathered teak.
Maintaining the Golden-Brown Color
If you prefer to keep that “new wood” honey color, you can. This requires a little bit of work once a year. To maintain the color, you’ll need to apply a good quality teak sealer like we’ve mention above.
If you use your furniture outdoor, a sealer works by blocking the UV rays that cause the wood to turn grey and helps lock in the natural oils. It’s a simple process, but it’s one you’ll have to repeat every year or so to keep the color fresh.
Basic Cleaning
No matter which look you prefer, your furniture will get dirty from dust, pollen, and leaves. Basic cleaning is simple. All you need is a bucket of water with a little bit of mild soap and a soft plastic brush.
Just give the furniture a light scrub to remove the dirt, rinse it well with clean water, and let it air dry. No harsh chemicals are needed. For most situations, a good cleaning once a year is plenty.
Section 6: Our Approach to Sustainability (Doing Things Right)
A lot of companies talk about “sustainability” these days. It’s a big word, but for us, it comes down to something simple: doing things right so the forests are still here for our children and grandchildren.
As a responsible manufacturer, we are committed to sustainable and legal wood sourcing.
What SVLK and FSC Mean to a Carpenter
You might see letters like SVLK or FSC when people talk about wood. Here’s what they actually mean to a furniture maker:
- SVLK (Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu): This is the Indonesian government’s system to prove that our wood is legal. It’s a tracking system that verifies the wood we use wasn’t stolen from a national park or illegally logged. Any furniture maker exporting from Indonesia MUST comply with this. For us, it’s the baseline—proof that we are following the law.
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): This is a global, non-profit organization that sets a higher standard for responsible forest management. FSC certification means the forest is being managed in a way that is environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economically viable. It’s about more than just legality; it’s about the long-term health of the forest ecosystem.
We are committed to using only legally verified wood in all of our projects. If a client’s project requires FSC-certified teak, we have the supplier relationships to source it.
Conclusion
The story of high-quality furniture isn’t complicated. It comes down to three core principles of manufacturing: starting with good, honest Indonesian teak wood; taking the time to dry it properly so it won’t fail; and using strong, proven joinery to build it. That is the difference between a product that lasts two years and one that lasts a lifetime.
At Naramulya, we believe in building furniture the right way. We take the same care in safely packaging and shipping our finished work to homes and projects all over the world. If you have questions about our manufacturing process or would like to discuss a project, please get in touch. We are proud of our work and happy to show you what goes into it.