
Brazilian teak, also known as Cumaru or Kumaru, is a species of flowering tree native to Northern South America. It is one of the densest and hardest woods available for outdoor construction, making it ideal for exterior use as it is mildew and decay-resistant. The colour of the wood ranges from medium to dark brown, with reddish and purplish hues, and streaks of yellow and green. Brazilian teak is often used for decking, flooring, and railroad ties. When considering whether play gray paint goes with Kumaru Brazilian teak, it is important to take into account the specific shade of gray and the unique colour variations that can be found in the wood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour of Kumaru Brazilian teak wood | Medium to dark brown with reddish and purplish hues and streaks of yellow and green |
| Feel of Kumaru Brazilian teak wood | Waxy |
| Scent of Kumaru Brazilian teak wood | Cinnamon or vanilla |
| Colour of Play Gray paint | Grey |
| Colour of teak wood when weathered | Silver/grey |
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What You'll Learn
- Brazilian teak, also known as Cumaru, is a durable wood with a distinctive colour
- Its colour ranges from medium to dark brown, with reddish and purplish hues
- Teak wood is challenging to paint due to its natural oils
- Teak wood can be left outside to develop a silver/grey patina
- Kumaru Brazilian teak is also called Tonka Bean due to its vanilla-cinnamon scented seeds

Brazilian teak, also known as Cumaru, is a durable wood with a distinctive colour
Brazilian teak, also known as Cumaru, is a highly durable wood with a distinctive colour. It is sourced from the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Cumaru is the wood of the species Dipteryx odorata, which is a type of flowering tree in the pea family Fabaceae. The tree is native to Northern South America and can grow up to 25–30 meters (82–98 feet) tall, with a trunk of up to 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) in diameter.
The distinctive colour of Cumaru wood is usually a medium to dark brown with reddish and purplish hues. It often features streaks of yellow and green, blending into its brown base. The heartwood of Cumaru is a medium brown with complementary tan shades, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Over time, the colour of Brazilian teak will "flatten out" slightly, maturing into a deeper shade.
In addition to its durability, Cumaru wood is known for its unique grain patterns. It has an irregular, slightly interlocked grain structure that gives it a wavy and coarse texture. This distinctive texture not only adds to the beauty of the wood but also provides a real wood feel that is often lacking in composite materials. Cumaru's hardness is rated at 3540, making it one of the toughest hardwoods available. It is almost eight times harder than redwood and significantly harder than other common wood types such as white oak and jarrah.
The durability of Brazilian teak makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas and various building projects. It can last over 50 years without any preservatives, making it a cost-effective and long-lasting option for decking, cladding, flooring, and furniture. Cumaru wood is naturally resistant to decay, mildew, and insect attack, further enhancing its durability. Additionally, it holds up well to weathering and has a Class A fire rating, similar to steel and concrete.
Overall, Brazilian teak, or Cumaru, is a highly durable and distinctive wood that is well-suited for a variety of applications, both indoor and outdoor. Its unique colour, grain patterns, and long-lasting qualities make it a popular choice for builders and homeowners alike.
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$16.45 $39.98

Its colour ranges from medium to dark brown, with reddish and purplish hues
Kumaru, also known as Cumaru or Brazilian Teak, is a species of flowering tree native to Northern South America. The wood is known for its distinctive colouring, which ranges from medium to dark brown, with reddish and purplish hues. It can also feature streaks of yellow and green, blending into its brown base. The tree bark, on the other hand, is smooth and grey.
Kumaru wood has a medium texture with a waxy feel. Its unique grain patterns and rich reddish-brown hue add an elegant touch to any construction project. The wood's dimensional stability and exceptional durability ensure its longevity and reliability.
The colour of the wood is one of its most striking features, with its reddish and purplish tones standing out against the more common browns and yellows of other woods. This unique colouring is due to the presence of a chemical compound called coumarin, which is also responsible for the wood's faint cinnamon or vanilla-like scent.
When exposed to the elements, all wood, including Kumaru, will eventually change colour and take on a weathered appearance. This is a natural process that occurs as the surface cells dry out and turn grey or silver. In the case of teak wood, this process is often accelerated by retailers using acid washes and other chemicals to create a "weathered" look, which can damage the wood and affect its moisture resistance.
However, when properly cared for, Kumaru wood is extremely durable and resistant to rot and termites. Its unique colour and grain pattern make it an excellent choice for projects where its beauty and strength can be showcased, such as flooring or decking.
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Teak wood is challenging to paint due to its natural oils
Kumaru, also known as Brazilian teak, is a type of wood found in Northern South America. It is known for its durability and distinctive colour, which is usually a medium to dark brown with potential reddish and purplish hues. The wood also features streaks of yellow and green, blending into its brown dexterity.
Teak wood, on the other hand, is native to South and Southeast Asia. It is often used for furniture due to its golden-brown colour and straight-grain pattern. Teak is also strong and long-lasting, even when kept outside, as it has a high natural oil content.
While it is possible to paint teak wood, its natural oils present a challenge. These oils are continuously released, and they inhibit paint adhesion, requiring thorough preparation before painting. Due to the oil release, painted teak furniture will likely need to be repainted annually, and the frequency may increase depending on the climate and exposure to the elements. Teak wood typically turns grey within 5 to 12 months, and shielding it from the elements will slow down this weathering process.
To paint teak wood, it is essential to clean the wood, fill any holes, scuff the surface, apply a stain-blocking primer to prevent oil bleeding, and use at least two coats of paint. Oil-based paints are particularly well-suited for outdoor teak wood furniture due to their durability in changing weather conditions. They also blend more easily with wood oil and provide excellent protection from moisture and UV rays. However, they have longer drying times and may require additional ventilation due to the fumes. Water-based paints are a convenient choice for those seeking quicker drying times.
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Teak wood can be left outside to develop a silver/grey patina
Kumaru, also known as Brazilian teak, is a type of wood found in Northern South America. It is known for its durability and distinctive colour, which is usually a medium to dark brown with possible reddish and purplish hues. Cumaru wood is also sometimes used as hardwood flooring.
Teak wood, on the other hand, is celebrated for its durability, elegance, and unique ability to develop a silver/grey patina over time. This natural aging process is caused by exposure to elements like UV rays, moisture, and temperature changes, enhancing the wood's sophisticated and timeless appearance without compromising its strength. The sun's UV rays break down the natural oils in the teak wood, causing the colour to fade from golden brown to grey. Moisture and humidity contribute to the oxidation process, further enhancing the silver-grey appearance. Changes in temperature can accelerate the aging process, promoting the development of the patina.
This patina is a desirable feature for many teak furniture owners as it adds character and highlights the wood's inherent beauty. The process is entirely natural and does not affect the wood's structural integrity or longevity, allowing you to enjoy your teak furniture for many years. Teak wood is also low maintenance compared to other types of outdoor wood furniture because it produces its own natural oil, which prevents water and moisture from sinking into the wood and resists dry rot.
If you wish to prevent teak wood from developing a patina, you can use a special sealer to treat the wood, slowing down the process significantly. However, if you embrace the silver-grey patina, you can simply leave your teak wood outside to develop this elegant finish over time with minimal maintenance.
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Kumaru Brazilian teak is also called Tonka Bean due to its vanilla-cinnamon scented seeds
Kumaru Brazilian teak, scientifically known as Dipteryx odorata, is a species of flowering tree in the pea family Fabaceae. Native to Northern South America, it is semi-deciduous, with a trunk of up to 1 metre in diameter and a height of 25 to 30 metres. The tree bark is smooth and grey, while the wood is red. The tree has alternate pinnate leaves with three to six leaflets, leathery, glossy and dark green, and pink flowers.
Kumaru Brazilian teak is also called Tonka Bean due to its seeds, which are known as Tonka beans. These seeds are black and wrinkled with a smooth brown interior. They have a strong fragrance similar to sweet woodruff due to their high content of coumarin, a chemical compound that gives off a vanilla-cinnamon scent. The tonka bean gets its name from the Galibi (Carib) tongue spoken by natives of French Guiana. The tree is commonly cultivated for these seeds, which are used in the perfume industry and, in some countries, as a food flavouring agent.
Tonka beans are produced mainly in Venezuela and Nigeria, with each tree yielding 1 to 3.5 kg of beans per year. The beans are dried and then sold, with the hard outer shell removed. The tonka bean plant is an important source of income for rural families, particularly in times of hardship.
Kumaru Brazilian teak is a popular wood choice for decking, flooring, furniture, and construction due to its durability, hardness, aesthetics, and stability. It ranges in colour from light to dark brown, with possible reddish or purple hues, and has a medium texture with a waxy feel.
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Frequently asked questions
Kumaru Brazilian Teak, also known as Cumaru or Dipteryx Odorata, is a species of flowering tree native to Northern South America. The wood is usually medium to dark brown but can sometimes have reddish or purplish hues.
The tree bark of Kumaru Brazilian Teak is smooth and gray.
As Kumaru Brazilian Teak is a type of wood with a brown hue, complementary colours in the colour wheel, such as various shades of blue and green, would go well with it.
Yes, gray paint can go with Kumaru Brazilian Teak as gray is a neutral colour that can go with a variety of colours, including brown.










































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