Wood Identification

[Bill Adamsen]

Trying to ID a wood used in a vanity found in a photo. Initially thought it might be a walnut .. but the more I look it appears tropical ... teak?

VanityHandles.jpg

[Allan Speers]

It's probably formica, or something similar.

It does have the appearance of oiled Teak. - but even if it is real wood, this kind of ID is near-impossible without seeing the end grain, feeling the weight, seeing it un-finished, etc.

[Wayne Lomman]

From the figuring it looks like teak. Cheers

[Andrew Hughes]

That's going to be near impossible since the color was probably altered.It looks too perfect.
I like wood I'd posts do you have any others?

Aj

[Bill Adamsen]

Thanks Wayne ... I was thinking similar. Attached another photo of the unit. It has a very similar appearance to some Indonesian Teak pieces I've seen in the Caribbean (insect resistance). No, I don't think it is formica or any other plastic laminate.

And for those inveterate wood identification experts ... over the weekend I made up a series of drawers from Sassafras and it is the first time I'd worked with the wood. Machined nicely enough and seems stable though it is relatively soft. I had been given a pile of the wood by my sawyer and this project moved some of the wood and got the drawers done.

[Allan Speers]

Thanks Wayne ... I was thinking similar. Attached another photo of the unit. It has a very similar appearance to some Indonesian Teak pieces I've seen in the Caribbean (insect resistance). No, I don't think it is formica or any other plastic laminate.
.

Why? You've only seen it in a photo. (just asking.)

"Artificial" wood is very common in bathrooms, for obvious reasons.

[Mike King]

Could be east indian rosewood. Or Kingwood.

Mike

[Andrew Hughes]

A drawer box made from Sassafras does it have a nice smell?

[Mel Fulks]

I've seen furniture with that look that was made in 1960's and labeled walnut. Like the pic it didn't look exactly like walnut....so I'm guessing it's walnut.

[Wade Lippman]

Could be east indian rosewood. Or Kingwood.

Mike

It could also be bleached and dyed ebony. Or just about anything.

[Cody Colston]

If it is wood, then teak would make sense for a wet area like a vanity. However, the perfect grain match from top to bottom across the entire front makes me think it's a laminate.

[Allan Speers]

If it is wood, then teak would make sense for a wet area like a vanity. However, the perfect grain match from top to bottom across the entire front makes me think it's a laminate.

Exactly what I thought.

[Bill Adamsen]

That approach is easily accomplished by building an mdf core with the individual panels separated by a strip of wood of the finished veneer. Then have the entire top veneered. Cut the panels apart in the center of the wood strip. There is a shop (K&B) in Cairo NY (Catskill region) that specializes in that veneer work. A home shop can also setup that type of veneering with a vacuum or other press. But as they say, "let the plumbers plumb."

[Bill Adamsen]

A drawer box made from Sassafras does it have a nice smell?

The machining was exceptionally pleasant!

[Bill Adamsen]

Why? You've only seen it in a photo. (just asking.) "Artificial" wood is very common in bathrooms, for obvious reasons.

Allan, I suppose it is always possible that it is plastic laminate. Though I would expect to see more repeating patterns, or an edge. For instance, the right and left doors have matched panels though distinctly different. The application on the mirror - which appears to be the same surface material as the vanity - would lead me to think it is solid wood. Or the fabricator did an exceptional job mitering the laminate across the edge. In this case, plastic laminate (nothing against it) is not a quality level the enquiring architect is seeking.

One of the clients I work with has been ordering all their furniture for their BVI property, custom made in Indonesia (or so they've been told) of locally sourced teak. A photo I found on-line appears like below. The wood in the photo appears lighter, but is otherwise to me, similar.