Weathered Teak reads as a mid-tone brown with a distinct golden-amber pull. On freshly stained wood, you get that lived-in, sun-touched quality that genuine teak develops after a season or two outdoors. It is not flat. There is warmth moving underneath the brown, and that warmth is what keeps it from looking muddy or generic.
The color shifts noticeably depending on the wood grain and the light. Under direct afternoon sun, the amber notes come forward and the whole surface looks richer, almost honey-leaning. In shade or on an overcast day, it settles into a deeper, cooler brown that grounds a space rather than warming it. You will notice this most on horizontal surfaces like decking, where the light hits at changing angles throughout the day.
Open-grain woods like cedar and pine drink it in differently than denser hardwoods, so expect some variation. That variation is part of the appeal. This is a stain that looks like it belongs on wood, not painted over it.
The undertone here is warm, sitting somewhere between gold and a soft red-brown. That matters because it dictates everything you place near it. Pair Weathered Teak with cool gray hardscaping or bluish stone and the contrast can feel slightly off, with the brown looking warmer and almost orange by comparison.
When you are choosing adjacent finishes, lean into the warmth or balance it deliberately. Knowing the undertone keeps you from fighting the color later. If your fixed elements are cool, you will need to bridge them with a neutral so nothing clashes.
This shade earns its keep on exterior wood. Decks, fences, pergolas, railings, and outdoor furniture all wear it well. South and west-facing surfaces get the most out of it, because the strong light pulls those amber tones forward and the color comes alive. North-facing decks will read darker and more subdued, which works fine if you want a quieter, more grounded look.
It suits both expansive decks and smaller balcony spaces. On large surfaces, the natural variation reads as depth rather than inconsistency. On compact areas, the warmth makes the space feel intimate and finished. Just account for surrounding greenery, which tends to intensify the brown.
The LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, sits at 30. LRV runs from 0, which is absolute black, to 100, which is pure white, and it tells you how much light a color bounces back. At 30, Weathered Teak lands in the mid-to-lower range, meaning it absorbs more light than it reflects. Practically, your deck will feel grounded and warm rather than bright and airy. On a sun-drenched surface it stays comfortable, but in shaded areas it will read noticeably darker, so plan your placement around how much natural light each surface actually gets.
For trim and structural elements, a warm white like Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) keeps things crisp without going stark. If you want more contrast, Iron Ore (SW 7069) in a near-black gives the deck a modern, anchored edge. Tricorn Black works similarly for railings and metal accents.
For complementary stains and siding, Sherwin-Williams Rookwood Sash Green (SW 2812) and softer sages play beautifully against the amber base. Stone in warm tan or buff tones extends the palette naturally. For outdoor furnishings, lean into woven naturals, terracotta, and creamy textiles. Cushions in muted olive or rust tie back to the wood without competing with it.
All comparisons are matched against Weathered Teak at LRV 30.0.
Steer clear of cool grays and stark blue-whites placed directly against it. They make Weathered Teak look orange and dated. Bright primary colors fight the earthy quality, and too much glossy black hardware can feel heavy against the warm brown. The most common mistake is pairing it with a cool concrete patio and wondering why the deck suddenly looks like the wrong shade. Sample it against your actual hardscaping before you commit.
