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Anyone else fighting twist in this batch of 5/4x6 Teak? — Species

Anyone else fighting twist in this batch of 5/4x6 Teak?

Sam Whitfield Aug 28, 2026 at 10:34 AM

I am currently three days into a 600sqft deck build using 5/4x6 Burmese Teak and the bowing is driving me insane. I have never seen a batch this green; despite acclimating it on-site for a week under shade cloth, nearly 30% of the boards are showing significant lateral twist upon installation. I am having to burn through my entire inventory of Bowrench tools just to get them square for the hidden fasteners. My supplier claims it is standard moisture variance, but at $18 a linear foot, I expect better straightness. Are you guys running into this with the recent imports, or should I be looking for a new wholesaler? I have a client who is already breathing down my neck about the gaps, and if I have to pull these boards, I am going to be way over budget on labor.

2 Replies

Nate ChambersAug 30, 2026 at 10:34 PM

Man, I feel your pain. Dealing with 'green' Burmese teak at that price point is infuriating. When I run into a batch that unruly, I stop trying to muscle them with just the Bowrench. Switch to a heavy-duty hydraulic jack system or use a block-and-tackle setup to persuade those twists while fastening. Also, if you aren't already, start pre-drilling and using slightly longer 316 stainless screws to grab more meat in your joists—hidden clips alone won't hold that kind of tension long-term. If the supplier won't replace the worst of the culled boards, definitely cut ties. At $18/lf, you shouldn't be fighting the material this hard.

Marcus WebbSep 11, 2026 at 10:33 AM

Marcus Webb here. I feel for you, man. When you get green stock that stubborn, stop forcing it and let the material work for you. I start by wetting the concave side of the board with a fine mist and leaving it in the sun for an hour; often, that release of surface tension lets the wood relax enough to seat properly. If that fails, I use a 2x4 fulcrum block and a heavy-duty framing chisel to wedge it into place before driving the screw. If the wholesaler gives you pushback, demand a partial credit for the cull rate—that usually gets their attention.