Exporters of Rhodesian Teak flooring, decking & furniture
We specialise in the installation of wooden decking, wooden flooring, wooden handrails and pergolas. We have long lasting relationships with our existing clients, and our aim is always to offer a high quality of service. We have been installing timber decks and floors in the Nelspruit and surrounding areas since 2005. We currently run four installation teams, and have a permanent team at our furniture factory in Nelspruit. Our main goal and focus is customer satisfaction, and we do that by offering great products with exceptionally quick installations and a friendly service. We are able to save commercial lodges and hotels a lot of time and money by installing decks at an incredible speed. Please see our recent projects section for more info on our capabilities.
Although we mill and manufacture our own Rhodesian Teak decking and flooring, it is not the only timber we supply. We work with all types of timber so that we can cater to each clients need. Most of our installations are done in Nelspruit, White River, Hazyview, Hoedspruit, Malelane, Barberton, Sabie, Graskop, Middelburg, Witbank and Johannesburg, but we do travel as far Capetown if need be.
From the historic explorer ships of the Middle Ages to the finest furniture of the 21st century, Rhodesian Teak is a world-class, versatile material. Our family has a passion for this exotic timber, evident from our massive forestry concession between Nyaki and Victoria Falls, to the innovative workshop in Nelspruit where our flooring, decking and furniture is created.
We started out in the timber flooring industry in 1999 and currently export our Rhodesian Teak Flooring and Decking, and Rosewood & Teak furniture to many countries across the globe. We take the raw timber from its source in Zimbabwe to final, high quality furniture and flooring product, making our world-class merchandise affordable. Customised, innovative design is a fundamental part of our business and our team of designers and carpenters relish the opportunity to create new and interesting pieces. We pride ourselves on quality, generation-taught craftsmanship.
All of our timber comes from our sustainable forests. Trees are only selected to be harvested once the diameter is over a certain measurement. This means that only a small percentage of trees are harvested in each area, and ensures us that on our return to the area 12 years later, there will be a few more trees that are harvestable. We have full forestry accreditation and are able to export globally.
Owners Michael & Lloyd Dillon
The History of Zambezi Teak
Zambezi Teak (Baikaiea Plurijuga), formerly known as Rhodesian Teak, is perhaps the most important and sought-after hardwood in Southern Africa. The only environmentally viable forests are restricted to a belt of Kalahari sandy soils, which run through remote rural areas across south Western Zimbabwe, up across the Zambezi river into the south of Zambia.
Because the timber is so hard, it was originally only cut into blocks by the first settlers in the early 1900s, who used it mainly for bridge construction, railway sleepers and mine supports – where it can often still be found, truly standing the test of time after seasons of searing sun, drought and African rain! As modern technology progressed, turning the blocks into planks became an economically viable option, and because of its striking colour, grain strength and ability to withstand abrasions without splintering, it soon became very popular commercially, and used in flooring and decking, and outdoor furniture. It is in these applications that Zambezi Teak has earned its well-deserved reputation for its exquisite looks as well as being as rugged as the terrain from which it hails.
The first documented application of a Zambezi teak floor in the United Kingdom was in 1852, when the London Corn Exchange was rebuilt, and required a specially-grooved floor to accommodate the grain thrown down upon it by the merchants. Here, teak was selected specifically because it could handle the stress that would be exerted on the parquet blocks, which would normally have splintered.
Elegance, durability and high quality
Zambezi teak is valued around the world because of the elegance, durability and high quality associated with the wood. It is even textured and hard, with a fine grain distinguished by two distinct colours. When first sawn the heartwood is a stunning mélange of medium to light browns or tans which, after oxidation, turn to a rich red/bronze combination. The sapwood blends in perfectly as light roses and beiges merging to tints of cherry when oxidation takes place. Black streaks are often characteristic in the grain. If the freshly processed look is preferred, customers can choose to halt the oxidation process with the use of UV protectors in the sealants or oils.
Underfloor heating and outdoor applications
Our teak has one of the most favourable linear shrinkage factors of all the hardwoods, making it an ideal and visually attractive solid floor option for underfloor heating. It is also weather resistant and has natural oils which help keep it in excellent condition for outdoor applications.