Everything you need to know about reclaimed teak
- Reclaimed teak is repurposed wood sourced from old beams, roof frames and partitions from Javanese houses, and sometimes from old boats or railway sleepers.
- This material has already lived a life: it is naturally dry and highly stable, making it ideal for durable furniture indoors and outdoors.
- Each plank is sorted, cleaned, planed and restored by hand in Indonesia.
- Small wood inserts (wood patches) are not defects: they reflect the craftsmanship and strengthen the structure.
- Choosing reclaimed teak means no trees are cut and an existing resource is given a new life.
What is reclaimed teak?
Reclaimed teak is repurposed wood sourced from old beams, roof frames and partitions from Javanese houses, and sometimes from old boats or railway sleepers. In Indonesia, specialist suppliers collect these pieces, after which our factories remove nails/screws, strip away old paint and plane the wood to prepare it for the production of high-quality reclaimed teak furniture.
Teak is the predominant wood species used in reclaimed wood at Maison Pavane. For information about reclaimed wood as a whole, its origins, benefits and care, see our guide to reclaimed wood.
This material has already lived a life: it is naturally dry and highly stable, making it ideal for durable furniture indoors and outdoors.
How is reclaimed teak restored?
Each reclaimed teak plank is sorted, cleaned and planed, then restored by hand in the Indonesian workshops partnered with Maison Pavane. Restoration fills old damaged areas with small wood inserts, known as wood patches, taken from the same teak species.
The small wood inserts (wood patches) you may notice are not defects: they showcase traditional craftsmanship, strengthen the structure and guarantee the furniture’s solidity.
What are the quality standards for the inserts?
- The piece fits the shape perfectly (there is no gap).
- The wood grain is aligned and the colour is uniform, with no jarring contrast.
- The insert is flush and smooth, never raised.
- The insert comes from the same teak species.
- An insert is never placed on the edge or corner of a piece of furniture.
- The size and spacing of the inserts are proportionate: neither too large nor too close together.
The result: a smooth restoration to the touch, visible to the discerning eye—the signature of an authentic reclaimed teak piece of furniture.
What does reclaimed teak look like?
Reclaimed teak has a warm, slightly greyish brown tone, darker than new teak, which is often more yellow. It adds warmth to interiors and terraces. It retains subtle marks of time: former nail holes, slight variations in tone and patina. No two pieces are identical.
Planing does not mean erasing its history. These marks are deliberately preserved because they tell the story of the plank’s previous life.
No two pieces are identical: that is precisely what gives them their charm and character.
Is reclaimed teak more stable than new teak?
Yes. Because it has already been used and dried for decades, reclaimed teak is less sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature than new, still “living” teak. It therefore cracks and warps less, including outdoors.
In practical terms:
- Fewer cracks caused by drying
- Excellent durability over time, even outdoors
- Less warping and greater stability
Outdoors, like all wood, it naturally turns grey: an aesthetic phenomenon with no impact on durability.
Is reclaimed teak an eco-friendly choice?
Choosing reclaimed teak means cutting down no trees and repurposing an existing resource. Our partners in Indonesia ensure the traceability of supplies in accordance with the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Our product designer explains the origin of our wood and our supplier audits in their interview.
Our furniture arrives with two coats of protective varnish. As teak is naturally resistant, care remains simple. See what the original finish protects against during the first year. To go further, see our guide to outdoor teak care.
Reclaimed teak: the summary
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| ♻️ Eco-friendly | Repurposed wood, with no felling |
| 🪵 Strong and stable | Already dry, so fewer cracks |
| 🎨 Authentic | Each piece is unique |
| 💪 Durable | Resistant to weather and the passage of time |
| 🇮🇩 Crafted | Carefully restored in Indonesia |
FAQ: reclaimed teak, care, durability and inserts
What exactly is reclaimed teak?
It is teak wood that has already been used, salvaged from old beams, roof frames and partitions from Javanese houses, then cleaned and planed to make new furniture.
Is reclaimed teak as durable as new teak?
Yes, and often more stable thanks to its age and natural drying.
Why are visible inserts (“patches”) present?
These inserts repair old damaged areas (nails, holes) and strengthen the material. They meet strict standards: uniform colour, aligned grain, flush surface and the same teak species.
Are there pests in reclaimed teak?
Reclaimed teak is old, dry and cleaned: everything pests dislike.
Does reclaimed teak turn grey outdoors?
Yes. Outdoors, like all wood, it naturally turns grey: an aesthetic phenomenon with no impact on durability. Maison Pavane furniture is delivered with two coats of protective varnish.
Looking for durable reclaimed teak furniture full of history?
Explore our collections: Bana, Marie, Lumo, Nonza, Molo, Bora, Siam, Kouma.
For an overview: our garden tables, our garden furniture sets and all our teak furniture.
