A TALE OF TWO HARDWOODS... Teak Wood and Mahogany Wood

Teak and Mahogany are the champions of the furniture world. They are the go-to options for the majority of homeowners across the globe. But what makes these two tick? Ponder no more! The following writeup would shed some light on this ‘sturdy’ subject:

Teak Wood Vs Mahogany Wood?

Teak and Mahogany are the biggest stars among furniture building materials. Exclusiveness is one of the key differences between the two, in that Teak is more exclusive than Mahogany and the price shows it.

On the other hand, Mahogany wins this contest with its all-purpose nature, far broader availability and distribution.

Teak counters Mahogany's might with its moisture-resistant nature that makes it a preferred choice for outdoor furniture.

So let’s not wait and dive into the study world of these two Hardwood champions:

HOME OF MAHOGANY:

The bigger bulk of commercially used Mahogany lumber originates in Central & South America.

This species has a widespread presence and there is a striking similarity in appearance and application between its various sub-species. Honduran Mahogany is the generally accepted term for 'Genuine' Mahogany.

MAHOGANY’S AFRICAN & ASIAN SUBSTITUTES:

Aside from genuine Mahogany, there are two other extensively used varieties - African and Phillippine Mahogany. The African variety is more robust than genuine mahogany. It’s used for furniture joinery, boat building, decorative veneers, cabinetry, etc. Meanwhile, the Philippine variety differs from the Genuine one in that it's less expensive, possesses a coarse texture, lacks any appealing color. This variety is frequently marketed as an affordable plywood product and is also difficult to work with.

THE TALE OF TEAK:

Africa, Asia, and Latin America are the three regions where Teak is extensively grown and imported from. While other varieties of Teak in Tropical regions are grown in plantations, the category known as Burmese Teak comes from naturally grown trees.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MAHOGANY:

--- Possesses a Reddish, Pinkish, or Orange tint.

--- Boasts fine grain patterns.

--- Has a Coarse texture.

--- Available at half the cost of Teak.

--- Insect and rot resistance ranges from Moderate to Low

CHARACTERISTICS OF TEAK:

---- Its color ranges from Light brown to gold. Teak darkens with age.

---- Possesses irregular grain patterns that look like flames. Teak boasts a fine Oily texture

---- Aesthetically inferior to Mahogany

---- One of the best decay-resistant hardwoods out there

THE DEAL OF DURABILITY & DENSITY:

To understand this, let's learn about the Janka Scale. The Janka scale is used to determine the relative hardness of domestic or exotic wood species. This measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444" steel ball into the wood to half of its diameter.

According to the Janka scale, Genuine mahogany has a hardness rating of 900, making it a bit softer than teak that has a rating of 1,070. Red oak ranks 1,290 on the Janka scale. But the truth is that differences in hardness are actually insignificant.

COMMON APPLICATIONS:

Here are some common applications of these two hardwoods. Read on:

TRIM & MOLDING:

Mahogany is less expensive, fine-grained and offers high resistance to warps & twists. This makes it far better suited for long, straight pieces of Trim and molding than teak.

INDOOR FACTOR:

Teak furniture is considered more elite than Mahogany. One of Teak's biggest advantages is the presence of closed pores and oily texture that makes it highly water-resistant. Teak has higher durability than Mahogany.

ADJUSTING TO THE OUTDOORS:

Mahogany is not preferred for any type of exterior use. But it can be used outside when properly maintained with sealer. Teak is the recommended material for outdoor furniture because of its weather-resistant nature and, as a bonus, Teak furniture requires far less maintenance.

FINISHING CHOICES:

Teak is easy to maintain. At most, you'd need an oil-based sealant but it can be left in its natural state without any requirement for frequent maintenance. Mahogany requires lacquer, varnish or other film-forming topcoats for proper protection.

I would like to end this writeup with the following advice:

Teak should be at the top of the list if you are planning to go for exclusive home decor solutions like staircases. If you are seeking an all-purpose and affordable material, Mahogany should be your go-to option.