Show me 100 year old (or 200 year old!) reclaimed plywood and you&#x27;ll have made me a convert.<p>I&#x27;m not so worried about earthquake performance because as long as you way, way over engineer you should be fine.  The 3&quot; teak isn&#x27;t for strength (that&#x27;s what steel is for) it&#x27;s just so that it looks very solid.<p>For $500mm I would expect a safety factor in the high single digits.  I know that&#x27;s not what this house is about so I know it&#x27;s not there, but I can&#x27;t help but be an engineer.