Acacia Wood Vs. Teak. Properties, Pros & Cons For Furniture Use
Share it
It can be difficult to decide between teak and acacia wood, both beautiful woods for home furnishings. However, knowing enough about both woods can help you pinpoint exactly what you need.
Our woodworking professionals will help you understand the differences between teak and acacia wood.
Teak: Background, Characteristics, Pros & Cons
Geography And Origins Of Teak
Teak is a genus that includes a variety of plants. It originated in Southeast Asia (Burmese Teak), but has since been introduced to Central and South America (Brazilian Teak).
Teak trees grow more than 39.6 m in length in carefully managed plantations. It is a bulky hardwood that can live for centuries.
It matures quickly despite its dense wood. It takes them about 25 years to mature fully. Its light brown color and tight grain pattern make it suitable for indoor and outdoor use as well as quality furniture.
Appearance
Smell
The strong, resinous odor is similar to that of leather. Even if youve never smelled teak wood before, youll recognize the distinctive odor after spending some time in a room with it.
Color
Freshly cut, the teak is a light brown color with golden and darker brown streaks. The heartwood of the teak is highly prized for its durability and beauty. Merchants are familiar with staining wood because of its lighter shade.
Grain Pattern
Teak trees have a straight, uniform grain with almost no knots. The design will be made up of parallel lines of varying shades of brown.
Weighing and density
Teak wood have substantial weight. Eventually, picking it up will give you a sense of the density. If the teak is significantly lighter than it should be, it will indicate that it has been replaced.
Water Resistance
Its natural oil makes it the most expensive wood in the world.
Due to its natural oils and highest natural moisture resistance, raw teak is resistant to corrosion, warping, and turning black.
Durability And Strength
- Its rich natural oils make it a gold standard for decay resistance. It is therefore a wood of high quality that will last for many decades and requires very little maintenance.
- These woods are the hardest and most water-resistant of all trees in nature.
- Janka scale ratings are 485 kg.
- It is very stable due to its dense grain and natural moisture resistance.
Workability
- Despite its high-end reputation, working with it is a breeze. It is easy to clean and ready for tooling.
- The high silica content can quickly dull tools.
- To avoid damaging it, carbide blades are recommended.
- Nails require pre-boring.
Using Teak For Indoor Furniture
Its reddish-brown color and distinctive grain patterns make it a popular choice for indoor wooden furniture. Teak furniture is more durable than acacia, but they are still more expensive than acacia.
Using Teak For Outdoor Furniture
Patio sets made of teak wood is more common than any other material. Its high resistance to water makes it ideal for outdoor use.
If youre looking for an upgrade from plastic patio sets, consider a set made from teak wood. It will last a lifetime, if it is well taken care of.
Pros And Cons Of Teak Furniture
Pros
Durable and long-lasting
Furniture will last for between 50 and 70 years. Its remarkable durability makes it an attractive alternative to plastic.
Beautiful weather
Teak naturally improves with age and weather. Despite exposure to severe weather, it ages gracefully.
Cons
It doesnt age well.
Aside from teak aging over time, prolonged exposure to sunlight and moisture can lead to an additional oxidation layer. Some people find the silvery-grey patina that old teak has to offer attractive.
Not cheap
The cost of teak is high. Because it is heavy, transportation costs will be higher.
It is not waterproof
Although teak is water-resistant, it is not waterproof. It is however resistant to water, rot and cracking.
Acacia Wood: Background, Characteristics, Pros & Cons
Geography And Origins Of Acacia
Acacia trees thrive in humid, warm environments. Species of all kinds can be found in every corner of the globe. Thailand, Hawaii (Hawaiian Koa), and some African countries are major exporters of exotic hardwoods.
Appearance
- The center of an Acacia tree’s trunk is usually a bright reddish-brown tint. The outermost layer is bright amber.
- It has a grain that fluctuates between straight and wavy and a lot of color variation. It gives a stunning effect if beautifully finished in the right way.
- An acacia tree already has a beautiful grain pattern, so finishing it to a smooth, glossy finish is a simple process.
Durability And Strength
- Acacia has excellent durability ratings. Acacia can be maintained well and lasts up to 40 years outdoors.
- It has an inborn resistance to fungal infections and insect pestilence.
- Acacia is a durable wood ideal for flooring and work surfaces due to its high resistance to scratches.
- Acacia is hardy and won’t easily warp.
- It is also extremely sturdy.
Workability
- There can be significant differences in density even within one piece of wood. Therefore, preparation can be difficult, resulting in a wood structure that is more rigid than desired.
- Acacia successfully combines two desirable characteristics. Raw Acacia is very workable and simple to shape. When dried, it becomes strong and hard.
Using Acacia Wood For Indoor Furniture
Theres no other wood in the world that compares to the toughness of acacia. With a hardness of 1700, it is even harder than teak. Because of this, its ideal for usage indoors.
Both teak and acacia have distinctive grain patterns that are associated with elegance. When it comes to acacia vs. teak, luxury homeowners love acacia tables because of their stunning appearance.
Acacia Wood Outdoor Furniture
You can use both teak and acacia wood species outside, but you must protect them from the elements.
To maintain the longevity of your acacia patio furniture, our woodworking experts recommend that you keep it out of extreme heat and away from pools and jacuzzis.
Amazing outdoor furniture, such as tables and chairs made from teak and acacia wood, is available. It is important to cover them in the winter and rainy seasons. Acacia can be used to make outdoor furnishings, but youll need to maintain it more frequently than teak.
Pros And Cons Of Acacia Furniture
Pros
Durable
Acacia’s hardness varies depending on the species. However, it is generally hard. Because of its hardness, Acacia is an excellent choice for furniture such as coffee tables and dining tables.
Eco-friendly
Acacia lumber can be used for woodworking projects and is very eco-friendly.
Even in places where it is a threat to native species, it is not an endangered species. However, it develops quickly and may be collected without causing any harm to the surrounding ecosystem.
Resistant against heat and water
You can use Acacia furnishings in residential and commercial settings. When properly cared for, acacia wood can withstand exposure to both water and heat for an extended period.
Lightweight
Even though it is lightweight, it is very strong and can support much more weight than its body can bear. Acacia is a popular choice for home decor and tables because of its beauty and durability.
Cons
It can be very difficult to maintain.
There are good acacia advantages; however, it is vulnerable to degradation because it is extremely pricey. Acacia is prone to scratches and dents. You will need to take care of your acacia to avoid having it refinished.
It is not good with humidity and water.
The acacia heartwood shrinks when there is water. It is best not to use this wood near water or any other high humidity sources.
Expensive
Despite being more durable, its price isnt as low as expected. It is slightly more expensive than common woods.
How To Distinguish Between Acacia And Teak
Conclusion
This teak vs. Acacia wood comparison should have helped you decide which option is best for you. Both can be used in woodworking projects, and you will get the same results.
To make sure you get the best value for your money, it is important to understand about each species. You can use the information supplied here to ensure youre utilizing the best for your woodworking projects.
