Tiger teak is a mixture of white teak (commercially known as teak sapwood) and teak heartwood.

The distinctive teak heartwood carries itself in a golden brown hue, which turns into a dark mocha with exposure. White teak, on the other hand, has a creamy color. The look of Tiger teak depends on the proportion of white teak and teak heartwood in the flooring or paneling. An eloquent mixture of these two characteristics produces a dramatic presentation based on the great variations in color and texture. Teak is usually harvested before the tree is too old to ensure the ideal blending of teak heartwood and white teak is attainable. Knowing the desired combination of golden brown and creamy brown color in each component that will complement your home's interior/exterior design well help you choose the perfect tiger teak planks for your ceilings.

Using tiger teak on your ceilings will add a stunning, bold yet warm statement to the entire design. Tiger teak ceilings play with light the way that paint and drywall cannot. In respect of covering imperfections such as wires, holes, pipes, or rotting on your ceilings; using tiger teak for this will come in handy. If your home is built on concrete floor, a tiger teak ceiling works to balance that with its striking visual effect and create a spaciousness in the room.

HOW DOES TIGER TEAK WORK STRUCTURALLY ON MY CEILING?

Not only does it introduce a beautiful and organic presentation, tiger teak is resilient, durable, and renewable. First of all, tiger teak is measured 1155 in the Janka hardness scale. One prominent trait of tiger teak that is rarely found in hardwood species is its dimensional stability in all kinds of weather which also includes changes in humidity. Homeowners living in an unpredictable climatic atmosphere, who expect to have a ceiling strong enough as a secure protection over their heads, usually consider installing tiger teak.

During the growing process, one of the two components of tiger teak - teak heartwood; accumulate specific compounds such as resins, phenols, and terpenes. This accumulation in turn builds a protective system functioning as decay resistance and insect repellent which is another layer of protection for your ceiling.

It is important to know that certain techniques are required to enhance tiger teak's rot and insect resistance. One recognized measure is the kiln-drying process. It involves cutting the logs into flooring blanks or teak lumber. After air drying, they are put into a kiln where woodworkers use heat to complete the curing process. A simple way to describe a kiln is a big oven used to dry out and heat-treat the wood. When the wood receives heat treatment in the kiln, it kills any bugs or fungi in the wood and can also collapse the cell structure, making the wood more stable compared to when it is just air dried.

Teak heartwood particularly earns substantial credits for tiger teak ceilings as a whole because of its natural oil content which provides a certain glimmer look on the surface of the ceilings. The mechanism of the natural teak oil and teak's unique cell structure works to withstand humid conditions, so that you do not need to worry about your tiger teak ceiling being susceptible to shrinkage or expansion.

Another beautiful feature of tiger teak ceilings is that the silicon content of the wood prevents oxidization with metal or iron for a considerable length of time. Due to this special advantage, preservatives are not required as tiger teak is naturally antibacterial. This means with simple maintenance, tiger teak ceilings can last for generations, saving you tons of money used in re-installing new ceilings as well as adding more value to your home. The lifespan of the ceilings can only be this long when you choose solid tiger teak planks because that of engineered planks is significantly less. Wood ceilings and flooring are similar - a more visually ideal and structurally beneficial choice for your wood flooring and ceilings is usually solid wood planks. Find out the 5 reasons why homeowners choose solid wood flooring over engineered wood flooring.

WHAT ARE THE TOP CEILING STYLES FOR TIGER TEAK?

Depending on your architectural preference, there are various ceiling styles that will be a great suit.

Planking ceiling

When tiger teak ceiling is done in planking style, it consists of strips of wood lined one next to the other in rows in tongue-and-groove fashion. This technique forms a fancy design of impressive texture for the ceilings. A perk of choosing planking is that you have the freedom to paint, stain, or leave your tiger teak planks natural. If you are familiar with Scandinavian interior design, you know that white is the signature color to their design. Such treatment on tiger teak planks will generate an expansive feel for the room. However, it is recommended to leave planks with their natural tiger teak color. The reason being that homeowners are aware of tiger teak's great value for the eloquent mixture of teak heartwood and white teak making it one of a kind.

You can also use tiger teak planks to achieve a headboard look. Well-known as a signature feature of farmhouse design, headboard ceilings is where little ridges between each plank are left visible.

Another tiger teak planks can pull off beautifully is shiplap – a particular feature of beach houses. Shiplap is similar with headboard, only the planks are made to have rabbeted joint on each edge so that they will be fitted together adequately for increased strength and stability.

Exposed beams ceilings

If you aim for a rustic charm, this of ceiling design will do the trick with the beams and pipes exposed to view from the room below. It creates a lofty feel for the space and acts as a unique highlight in a large interior view.

If your ceiling is high up and has arches, having the exposed beams following the slope of the ceiling will keep that large, airy, and classic hallway design in your home. With the natural light color of tiger teak, even a small space can enjoy the beauty of exposed beam ceiling as it will give it a more spacious look.

Coffered ceilings

Tiger teak coffered ceilings communicate a sophisticated and intimate air to the room. Popularity has been increasing in recent years due to its timeless elegance. Coffered ceilings accentuate a series of sunken panels or rectangular panels that frame together to form comic strip shapes.

This square shape design not only adds a decorative element to your ceiling but also reduces the amount of echo in rooms with tall ceilings.

Deciding where to set up lighting fixtures or ceiling fans for coffered ceilings is not tricky at all. Hanging them at the centermost panel is often the ideal choice so that other panels may feature recessed lighting.

A FEW NOTES IN TIGER TEAK CEILING INSTALLATION

Timing – Depending on multiple factors, the amount of time spent on installation will vary. It usually takes longer to do it yourself. Plus, specific techniques are needed to work with tiger teak so that its appearance and longevity are not damaged. Hence, hiring a professional might cost more but it is a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Electrical issues should also be a matter of concern. All existing lighting and ceiling fixtures should be removed before the ceilings installation by a skilled electrician.

If you have a popcorn or starfish ceiling, you might want to scrape them off before installing tiger teak ceilings or any other wood ceilings. Popcorn ceilings may also contain a carcinogen known as asbestos so removing the ceilings by yourself is a rather dangerous task. Instead, find a certified asbestos abatement contractor who is capable of eliminating the contaminated elements through recognized procedures.

Where to install – The allocation of tiger teak ceilings depends on which style you choose. However, in general, tiger teak gets along with all aforementioned ceiling designs because of its dimensional stability.

Planking style is the most flexible as it works well with most wood species and can virtually fit any room, kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Interesting fact: Asian living rooms usually enjoy the simplicity and beauty of planked ceilings. On the other hand, coffered ceiling designs work out splendidly in a pool room.

A spectacular advantage tiger teak buyers can enjoy is that it can be installed on the ceiling of the entire bathroom with little susceptibility to damage from humidity. This is not a common trait in the family of hardwood species. It also offers depth and a natural sense of warmth. The common bathroom ceiling design is planking.

RECAP ON THE QUALITIES OF TIGER TEAK CEILINGS:

1. Distinctive combinations of white teak and teak heartwood gives it a variety of elegant colors and textures creating a dramatic and striking visual effect.

2. Resilience and durability provide an ideal construction application for interior and exterior ceiling work.

3. Offers dimensional flexibility and aesthetic quality to any space, large or small for any ceiling design.