Teak Brown is a Precambrian South Indian gneiss (also traded as Brown Teak or Royal Teak) with a warm brown overall effect, dark mineral bands and the characteristic mineral signature reminiscent of teak wood. Traded as granite — exceptionally high-strength (compressive strength 277.7 MPa), virtually zero water absorption, frost-resistant and acid-resistant. Suitable for demanding floor areas, stairs, façades, exterior paving, kitchen worktops and prestigious architectural applications.
Petrographically a gneiss, traded as granite.
Gneiss
India
2.960 kg/m³
Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs
Other trade names: Brown Teak, Brown Teak Granite, Fox Brown, RO-01-562, Royal Teak, Teak Brown Granite
About Teak Brown
Teak Brown is a classic South Indian gneiss from the Precambrian belt of deep-seated metamorphic rock — confirmed by DNSA under entry #6422 with the principal names BROWN TEAK and ROYAL TEAK. Characteristic is a warm brown to dark brown overall effect with a pronounced directional mineral-band structure — black biotite and hornblende bands alternate with warm brown to bronze-coloured feldspar fields and individual whitish-grey quartz areas. The band structure, which suggests wood grain, gives the material its trade name: the slab pattern is directly reminiscent of figured teak wood, hence the designation “Teak”. At ROSSITTIS we carry Teak Brown for floor areas, wall claddings, staircases, façade claddings, exterior paving, plinth details, pool surrounds, kitchen worktops, bar counters, vanity tops and project-specific bespoke work where a warm, wood-like material signature is wanted at the full robustness of a hard rock.
Geologically, Teak Brown is a medium to coarse-grained Precambrian gneiss from the South Indian provinces of deep-seated metamorphic rock — the exact extraction region is given in DNSA as “southern India”. Gneisses are formed by high-pressure and high-temperature metamorphism of old granitic or sedimentary parent rocks — the parallel mineral-band structure is the geological identifying feature. In the international stone trade, gneisses are consistently assigned to the hard rocks and carried under “granite”, because technically they behave like classic hard granites — in the case of Teak Brown even with above-average values. On the market the material also runs under the designations Brown Teak, Royal Teak, Teak Brown Granite and Brown Teak Granite.
The technical values from the DNSA database are exceptional for a natural dimension stone: bulk density 2,960 kg/m³ (very high — typical of mineral-dense gneisses), compressive strength 277.7 MPa (one of the highest among natural dimension stones traded in Europe), compressive strength after freeze-thaw loading 269.6 MPa (a very small loss of strength), flexural strength 27.4 MPa, water absorption 0.04 per cent (virtually zero), thermal linear expansion 0.45 mm/m/100K. This makes Teak Brown one of the most robust natural dimension stones there is — the compressive strength of 277.7 MPa lies clearly above many granite grades. Confirmed by DNSA: acid resistance, frost resistance, a polish that lasts in exterior use. This makes the material suitable without restriction for heavily loaded floor areas, industrial flooring applications, exterior stairs, façades under high loading and pool surrounds with road salt exposure.
At ROSSITTIS, Teak Brown is available as a raw slab (random-size slab), as a floor tile, as tread and riser, as a window sill, as a skirting, as a paving stone, as a façade element, as a pool surround and as a project-specific cut to size; likewise as a kitchen worktop and vanity top. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
Our honest assessment: Teak Brown is a first-class choice for projects that want to combine a warm wood-like impression with the highest hard rock robustness. The combination of exceptionally high compressive strength (277.7 MPa), virtually zero water absorption (0.04 per cent), frost resistance and acid resistance makes the material suitable without restriction for the most demanding exterior and interior applications — from prestigious lobby floor areas through industrial floors to façades in freeze-thaw zones with road salt exposure. Compared with Sequoia Brown (a Brazilian wood-grain stone), Teak Brown is technically considerably harder and more acid-resistant; compared with classic Indian granite grades such as Steel Grey, Teak Brown is warmer in colouring and has a more pronounced band structure.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
41 slabs in stock · plus 12 blocks
Thicknesses: 1–4 cm · Finishes: Polished, Satin-honed · Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs
Guide values for the stone type, taken from manufacturer and test reports. Natural stone is a natural product — individual batches and slabs can differ. For critical applications, request slab-specific test data.
Teak Brown is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Polished
Polishing is the most classic finish in the hard stone segment — a mirror-smooth, high-gloss surface with the highest possible colour intensity and maximum depth effect in the mineral structure. As an acid-resistant silicate stone, polished granite is easy to care for and the first choice for kitchen worktops, wall claddings and prestigious exposed surfaces.
Satin-honed
The satin surface is created by brushing, which selectively removes softer minerals and gives the surface a slight depth. A matte appearance with subtle light reflection and a warm feel to the touch. Easy to maintain, insensitive to scratches and suited to everyday use — a popular alternative to a polish in modern kitchens and living spaces.
Care & fabrication
As a high-grade South Indian gneiss, Teak Brown can be cared for and cleaned without difficulty over the long term. With a water absorption of only 0.04 per cent and full acid resistance the material is very robust in everyday use — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or carbonated drinks leave no etch marks. An impregnation on a silane or polysiloxane basis after laying provides additional protection against strongly colouring substances such as red wine, coffee, oil and tomato sauce. Daily cleaning with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid strongly alkaline deep cleaners and abrasive steel wool. Outdoors it is frost-resistant and tolerates road salt (a freeze-thaw compressive strength of 269.6 MPa confirmed by DNSA) — rinse off road salt residues in spring. Refresh the impregnation every three to five years.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name “Teak Brown” mean?
“Teak Brown” is the trade designation for the material's band structure, which suggests wood grain and is directly reminiscent of figured teak wood. On the market it is also traded as Brown Teak or Royal Teak — all designations refer to the same South Indian gneiss confirmed by DNSA (DNSA #6422).
What technical values does Teak Brown have?
From the DNSA database: bulk density 2,960 kg/m³, compressive strength 277.7 MPa (one of the highest among natural dimension stones traded in Europe), freeze-thaw compressive strength 269.6 MPa, flexural strength 27.4 MPa, water absorption 0.04 per cent (virtually zero), thermal linear expansion 0.45 mm/m/100K. Confirmed by DNSA as frost-resistant, acid-resistant and with an exterior surface that permanently takes a polish.
Is Teak Brown a granite or a gneiss?
Petrographically Teak Brown is a gneiss (confirmed by DNSA) — recognisable by the directional mineral-band structure that arose through high-pressure metamorphism. In the international and German stone trade the material is consistently carried as granite, because technically it behaves like a classic hard rock — in the case of Teak Brown even with above-average values.
Which surface finishes are there for Teak Brown?
The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Is Teak Brown suitable for kitchen worktops?
Very well suited. With a compressive strength of 277.7 MPa, very low water absorption of 0.04 per cent and full acid resistance, Teak Brown is fit for everyday use in cooking, contact with water and heavily frequented kitchen surfaces. Wine, lemon juice or vinegar leave no etch marks.
Is Teak Brown frost-resistant?
Yes, completely. With a freeze-thaw compressive strength of 269.6 MPa (only a minimal loss against the dry values of 277.7 MPa), Teak Brown is confirmed by DNSA as frost-resistant and suitable without restriction for central European climate zones with freeze-thaw loading and road salt contact.
Teak Brown or Sequoia Brown — which fits better?
Both offer a band structure that suggests wood. Sequoia Brown is a Brazilian marble/quartzite hybrid with a darker, dramatic wood-grain look, but moderate acid sensitivity. Teak Brown is an Indian gneiss with a warm brown wood-like impression, considerably harder, more acid-resistant and with superior technical values for heavily loaded applications. For designed exposed surfaces with a dramatic wood look, Sequoia Brown is the more striking; for floors, stairs, façades and kitchen worktops, Teak Brown is technically superior.
What does Teak Brown cost?
The price depends on the batch, thickness, surface finish and fabrication — with natural stone there is no serious flat rate per square metre. Business customers see prices once their B2B account is activated; private customers receive a complete quote through a fabricator near them.
