Teak and mahogany are the most famous woods in the furniture and home décor industry. Teak and mahogany furniture can be found all across the United States and even the world. The subtle textures, colors, and grain patterns of both the woods become the reasons why many people love them, and also the furniture looks wonderful in any space. Teak is one of the most expensive woods, followed by mahogany. In this article, we will compare both kinds of wood including their unique characteristics. Both teak and mahogany wood look very similar, yet there are variances between them. We investigate why either of these woods is so popular in the industry.
Teak Vs. Mahogany
Teak and mahogany are both classified as hardwoods. If we compare from the appearance, mahogany has a deep, reddish-brown color, whereas teak is more gold, yellow, to a golden-brown color. The grain structure of both kinds of wood is generally straight, however, teak may have some waviness and mahogany has a linear grain pattern.
The fact that teak is far more expensive than mahogany and not as widely accessible becomes the reason why many people love mahogany furniture. When it comes to deciding between the two types of wood, it all depends on personal preference including tastes, availability, and budget for the furniture.
Teak
Teak is a wood that grows in Asia’s tropical forests. This wood originated in Myanmar and dates back to the 7th century when wealthy people used it to decorate their homes. Later, the Dutch preferred teak and utilized it for shipbuilding and construction.
Teak has a high natural oil content that makes this wood resistant to termites, acids, and rotting and this natural oil also makes the furniture made from teak is highly durable. Because of its advantages, teak wood is classified into an endangered species list in several countries. However, some countries have a regulation in order to protect the wood by strictly controlling and monitoring its cultivation and sales.
Mahogany
Mahogany wood is commonly used in the manufacture of furniture, particularly when teak is in short supply. This wood is also popular because of its deep, rich color and appealing grain structure. However, lately, mahogany has become costly and difficult to find wood species due to its great demand. As a result, we now see a lot of mahogany in the shape of wood veneer. It creates the appearance of mahogany but at a considerably lower cost than utilizing genuine wood.
Appearance
Both of these woods have a similar grain pattern. Teak wood has a mainly straight grain, but there may be some waviness. Although mahogany has a straight grain, there may be some interlocking in the grain where the fibers diverge in opposite directions. In the case of mahogany, you may also notice circular rings in the wood.
Durability
When it comes to durability, we all know that teak is more durable than mahogany. Teak’s durability makes it a popular choice for building, boats, and ships, as well as a flooring material. Teak’s natural oil content makes it excellent for outdoor use.
Although not as long-lasting as teak, we should not be underestimated mahogany. It also produces great quality furniture. Although it is not suitable for shipbuilding or outdoor furniture, it is a great choice when teak is unavailable yet you want to manufacture nice indoor furniture, shelves, and cabinets that will last for years.
Maintenance
To maintain the shiny and new look of any furniture, doing proper maintenance is necessary. When exposed to the natural element, both teak and mahogany turn into a brownish-grey tint color. Both types of wood can be returned to their natural hue. Teak is easier to restore than mahogany, which requires extensive sanding and staining.
Price
Both teak and mahogany are expensive woods, teak is significantly more expensive than mahogany. However, when you realize that you are dealing with wood that will last for a long time, the price seems to justify itself somehow.
Sustainability
The high demand for both wood, makes them being over-exploited. Both of these types of wood appeared to be on the verge of extinction at one point. Governments, on the other hand, have stepped in over the years to try to make them sustainable once more.
Because of these governments’ efforts, there is still some sustainable teak and mahogany available on the market. If you are concerned about the environment, buying furniture made from legal teak wood is the best you can do. It can minimize deforestation, the greatest issue in the furniture industry.
Manufacturers who hold the FSC or SVLK certificate In Indonesia are showing their act in preserving the environment. The teak root, for instance, is used to be a waste and ends up at the landfill straight after the tree has been cut down. However, nowadays this material is used to make furniture, home décor, and kitchenware. It means we could minimize material waste and protect the environment.
To wrap up
Teak and mahogany are two of the best and most durable woods available on the market. When it comes to choosing furniture material, both teak and mahogany wood has advantages and disadvantages. Finally, if you want strong, beautiful, and unique furniture pieces, teak wood furniture will best suit you. However, if you like the look of teak but at a more affordable price, mahogany wood is a reasonable and beautiful alternative.
Asean Sourcing offers handpicked teak and mahogany wood furniture selections from qualified furniture and home décor suppliers in Indonesia. Moreover, our wide local supplier network will give you a chance to get the best price and the best quality products from Indonesia with the assistance of a local partner based in Java and Bali.
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