Reclaimed Wood

Ulin is a very unique wood and due to it’s unknown qualities outside of Indonesia. We highly advise reading this brief study overview.

Ulin is to be found growing exclusively in Indonesia, mainly on the Islands of Borneo and Sumatra. All of the reclaimed Ulin sourced and supplied by KTT comes from the Indonesian part of Borneo [The island is shared with Malaysia] in the region of Kilimantan.

Ulin is part of a family of around 46 species which due to their durability, strength and iron content are classed as ironwood. While there are this large number within this group, there should be no doubt that Ulin stands out as the Rolls Royce – Cadillac within this group. However, this should in no way be confused with the Ironwood available within the USA, used for truck sidings.

Ulin is one of the world’s slowest growing hardwoods with an annual growth of 0.5 mm/0.019 inches growth. Ulin grows along rivers containing high iron content which gives it a yellow/reddish tone. When exposed to the elements, Ulin attains an extremely dark brown almost black appearance.

A mature tree will attain 100+ feet [30 metres] and can reach the age of 800-1000 years.

In Indonesia and especially Borneo, Ulin has been the traditional building material for both housing as well as a major infrastructure material. The strength of Ulin is such that all the vast number of bridges and jetty’s [including pilling’s; due to the excellent resistance to bacterial, fungal, insect and marine borer attack] are constructed from this unique timber. Even the boardwalks used as foot traffic and scooter road ways are constructed from 1 inch thick boards. Cars and trucks are driven on 2″ inch roadways constructed with Ulin.

The Ulin sourced by KTT has served a long and useful life of 60-100 years’ use, within these communities. Due to it’s density, strength and resistance to rotting, decay, termites and weathering; they are able to serve our clients for many more generations to come.

KTT export reclaimed Ulin around the world for use in construction, flooring and outside decking. Other uses are in the construction of boat hulls, heavy construction, marine work, piling, printing blocks and speciality furniture.

Ulin is an extremely versatile wood and the specialist finishers at KTT have perfected many finishes as can be seen by clicking here. They range from high polished to natural tiger stripe and up to super eroded.

As an outside decking board, KTT believe Ulin to be the highest end solution in the market. Once laid, this product will stay intact for over a few decades. We would recommend the biannual treatment with our signature Lanolin product Lilin Domba or any natural recognized wood preservative. This will leave your deck with it’s natural black lustre.

Due to it’s onetime laying and the rarity of the product, Ulin should also be considered at the highest end of the quality scale and is also priced accordingly.

Density: 0.85–1.1 g/cm³

Durability: Class 1

For the last 200 years, Indonesia has been synonymous with the production of Teak. It was not always the case as Teak was not indigenous to Indonesia.

The teak plantations were established by the Dutch in the early 19th Century, with saplings imported from Thailand.

Teak was prized as a source of high quality timber for both construction of shipping and as a structural building material.

Teak tree growth is fairly fast for a hardwood and a full grown tree will be established within 25-30 years. The reclaimed Teak used by KTT can be counted among some of the earliest wood planted by the Dutch. It has served a former useful life for 100+ years in old Dutch housing and Public buildings on the main Indonesian Island of Java.

Teak is an extremely dense-grained wood and highly resistant to insect infestation, rotting, warping, shrinkage or swelling. Its high natural oil content acts as a natural preservative to the wood, so it can be left outdoors for decades. Even though Teak is renowned as a tough durable hardwood, it is extremely easy to work with.

The durability of Teak as both an internal construction timber, or as an outdoor furnishing or decking timber can be borne out by visiting any large park in the UK. There are a huge number of Teak constructed benches and out buildings throughout the UK which are still intact after a 100 Years; this is even more impressive, given they were manufactured from reclaimed ships decking boards in the first place.

Teak can also be left to the elements without any further wood treatment. The result is Teak turns a silver grey over roughly a year and many people find this as an attractive look. At KTT, we can even supply teak decking already pre-weathered if requested by a client. Click here to view the process.

Teak can also benefit from being treated with a natural oil or sealing product, should a client wish to take advantage of Teaks golden brown natural colour and can also be finished in several ways.

Click here to view wood sample finishes.

KTT finish Teak using the world’s most natural wood preservative [Lanolin] derived from the wax of sheep’s wool. The finished product, while being slightly darker for a short period of time, fully enhances the beautiful grain inherent in quality heritage Teak. For more information on KTT exclusive product [Lilin Domba], please click here.

KTT specializes in the manufacture of solid Teak flooring and decking, using antique reclaimed wood. This type of decking/ flooring is considered at the highest end of the market and due to it’s rarity is also priced at the highest end of the market. The exact pricing of course depends on the thickness, width and length of the boards.

This type of decking should not be compared in quality or price to either newly grown Teak or Teak engineered boards [Thin veneer of Teak glued to a sub-board].

Density : 0.44–0.63–0.82 g/cm³

Durability : Class 2