Teak has been known as the most durable wood. However, Mahogany has a lot to offer. Check out Teak vs Mahogany comparisons below to know which wood type is better.
This article covers information about everything you need to know about both Teak and Mahogany. Meanwhile, if you want to buy Indonesian furniture then Posteakfurniture has many options that may enhance your space at home.
Table of Contents
Teak vs Mahogany – The Comparison
Before jumping into the comparison of each wood type, you may all know that Teak has an expensive image. This is due to the availability level that is lower than Mahogany.
According to some people Mahogany has a higher level of beauty appeal compared to teak. Here are things you need to know about both wood types before deciding on a specific one between these two.
Is Teak the Strongest Wood?
Generally, Teak is one of the strongest yet most durable types of wood. This is why you may find this material for both indoor and outdoor furniture.
The resistance comes from Teak’s abundant content of natural oil. However, Teak is not as readily available as other wood options, including Mahogany.
Teak Appearance
The visual of this wood commonly features straight grains. However, some waviness may appear at some points. Teak has an almost similar look when it comes to the grain appearance.
Still, you can spot the difference easily once you see one. In summary, here are some worth highlighting points from Teak.
- The texture is oily.
- Grains look like flame, dine lines, and irregular.
- It gets goldish and darker with age.
- One of the most durable hardwoods available today.
- Some people consider the grains not as pretty as Mahogany.
What about Durability?
Compared to Mahogany, Teak has a heavier weight, after all. This factor is also one of the reasons why Teak is highly durable compared to almost any wood type you’ve ever known nowadays. As mentioned earlier, this wood has a high level of natural oil within its body.
It makes Teak retain weather and other outdoor elements quite well. Other than being a great choice for outdoor items, Teak is the ultimate choice for creating boats – as long as the budget allows.
Is Mahogany Good Quality Wood?
Yes, Mahogany is surely a good quality wood. This wood has been an alternative to Teak and other hardwood types for furniture making. It comes with an excellent level of durability and the grains are stunning in many ways.
The cost of Mahogany might not be as pricey as Teak, for sure. However, since this type of wood gains high popularity – and high demand too – Mahogany is kind of high in price compared to other wood types nowadays. Thus, some people prefer using veneer to get the look of Mahogany instead of using the real solid wood.
Mahogany Appearance
Mahogany has some straight grains as well. However, instead of waviness, you may spot some circular rings on the surface of the wood. This might be one of the things that makes the look between Teak and Mahogany a bit different.
Other than that, this type of wood has some interlocking grains – which make this wood type appear very exotic. Here are the characteristics of this wood.
- Orange, reddish, and pinkish tint.
- The grains are straight and consistent.
- Costs lower than Teak.
- Almost couldn’t resist the insects.
Is Mahogany Durable?
Yes, Mahogany is still one of the most durable types of wood nowadays. Even though the durability level might not be as high as Teak, you can make almost any kind of furniture with this wood type.
Keep in mind that you will need extra maintenance and treatments if you want to use Mahogany for outdoor items. It also means that it won’t support your shipbuilding in the first place. All in all, Mahogany makes excellent indoor furniture, whether it’s a settee, cabinets, shelves, and so on.
Teak vs Mahogany – Treatment and Maintenance
Teak will stay stunning even though you don’t give it any treatment. However, you should apply some sort of coatings to make the look appear lustrous and fresh over time. Both wood types can get gray quite fast, especially if they are exposed by various elements.
They generally only need staining and sanding. However, Teak is way easier to get restored than Mahogany. It is also another reason why Teak is the most suitable choice for outdoor use and other heavy-duty items or furniture.
Cost of Teak vs Mahogany
As mentioned earlier, Teak costs higher than any other hardwood types you know today. Other than the stunning grains and patterns, Teak can last almost forever – almost 80 years, an evidence-based testimony.
Meanwhile, Mahogany can only last almost half of that number – which explains a lot why the price tag between these two is significantly different. Still, both Mahogany and Teak are part of the expensive wood types.
And if you are willing to pay more for such durability and quality then Teak is such a worth-for-money choice.
You can read more about The Best of Grade A Teak Wood – Premium Timber for Furniture
Which One is the Most Sustainable?
Some tales told that both Mahogany and Teak were quite exploited by shameless loggers. This is why both wood types were facing extinction. Today, both the government and many people try to bring back the sustainability of the trees.
You may also find teak and mahogany plantations in several countries, especially in Southeast Asia. It is always possible to try the alternatives of both woods. There are quite many options that you can choose on the market, with different price tags, of course.
Teak vs Mahogany Comparison Table
| Parameter | Teak | Mahogany |
| Family | Lamiaceae (Verbenaceae) | Meliaceae |
| Botanical Names | Tectona grandis L. f. | Swietenia humilis Zucc. Swietenia krukovii Gleason Swietenia macrophylla King Swietenia mahagoni Jacq. |
| Continent | Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania | Latin America |
| Diameter | 25-100 cm | 60-130 cm |
| Thickness of Sapwood | 2-6 cm | 2-5 cm |
| Buoyancy | Does not float | Floats |
| Log Conservation | Good | Moderate (treatment recommended) |
| Reference Colour | Yellow Brown | Red Brown |
| Texture | Coarse | Medium |
| Grain | Straight | Straight or interlocked |
| Interlocked Grain | Absent | Slight |
| Assembling for Nailing/Screwing | Good but pre-boring necessary | Good |
| Resistance to decay | Very Durable | Durable |
Source: https://www.itto.int
Final Word
Teakwood and Mahogany, more than anything, are two of the most durable wood types available today. Those woods are your go-to choice if you are looking for wood materials that come with stunning natural grains. Teak, on the other hand, is more costly than other types of wood – including Mahogany.
And that’s a wrap – this is everything you need to know about Teak vs Mahogany. In case you need more information about wooden furniture, feel free to check out the Teak Indonesian furniture by Posteakfurniture. So many furniture collections made of quality wood are available.
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