Acacia Wood vs. Teak: Properties, Pros & Cons for Furniture Use

If you buy something through our posts, we may get a small commission. Read more here.

Deciding between acacia wood vs. teak can be frustrating because they are both gorgeous types of wood for home furnishings. But, having enough knowledge of both can help you easily pinpoint what you need. 

So, let me alleviate that frustration by showing you the teak and acacia wood difference.

Teak: Background, Characteristics, Pros & Cons

Geography and Origins of Teak

Teak is a genus of plants that originated in Southeast Asia (Burmese Teak) but has since spread to Africa and Central and South America (Brazilian teak). 

Teak trees grow more than 130 feet in length in carefully managed plantations. It is a bulky hardwood that can live for centuries.

Teak trees

Despite their dense wood, it matures at a rapid rate. They only need about 25 years to fully mature. Furthermore, its light brown color, tight grain pattern, and natural oils make it good for indoor and outdoor use and quality furniture.

Appearance

Smell

Teak wood emits a robust, resinous odor that bears a resemblance to the scent of leather. Once you spend some time in a room with teak, even if you’ve never encountered its fragrance before, you’ll easily recognize its distinctive smell.

Color

Light brown with golden and dark brown streaks when freshly cut. The heartwood of the teak is highly prized for its durability and beauty. Staining wood is common among merchants due to its lighter shade. 

But how about painting? Can you paint teak wood to achieve your desired color? Find out next. 

Grain Pattern

A teak tree has a uniform, straight grain, and almost no knots. The design will be made up of parallel lines of varying shades of brown.

Teak texture

Weight and Density

Teak wood have substantial weight. Eventually, picking it up will give you a sense of the density. When purchasing teak, you’ll know that it has been substituted if the weight is significantly less than what it should be.

Water Resistance

Its natural oil makes it one of the world’s most expensive woods, and it also makes it naturally resistant to water and insects, making it a good lumber for rainy weather.

Raw teak has the highest natural moisture resistance due to its natural oils, which is why contact with metals does not cause it to crack, warp, or turn black.

Durability and Strength

Oiled teak boards

Workability

Using Teak for Indoor Furniture

Its reddish-brown color and distinctive grain patterns make it a popular choice for indoor wooden furniture. However, teak furnishings are more expensive than acacia because of their durability.

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.

Teak patio furniture set

If you’re looking for an upgrade from plastic patio sets, consider a set made from teak wood. And it will last a lifetime if you take care of it.  

Pros and Cons of Teak Furniture

Pros

Durable and long-lasting

Your furniture will look great for 50 to 70 years. Its impressive durability makes it a competitive alternative to plastic.

Nice weathering

Teak naturally improves with age and weather. Despite exposure to severe weather, it ages gracefully.

Cons

It doesn’t age well.

Aside from teak aging over time, prolonged exposure to sunlight and moisture can lead to an additional oxidation layer. However, some people still find the silvery-grey patina of old teak attractive.

Teak doors with intricate designs

Not cheap

The cost of teak is high. Since it is heavy, the increased weight also increases the cost of transportation.

Not waterproof

Teak is resistant to water but is not completely waterproof. However, it is resistant to moisture, rot, cracking, and warping.


(Check this guide for more facts about teak wood.)

Acacia Wood: Background, Characteristics, Pros & Cons

Geography and Origins of Acacia

Acacia trees are happiest in warm, humid 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.

Acacia tree

Appearance

Durability and Strength

cutting down an Acacia tree

Workability

Using Acacia Wood for Indoor Furniture

There’s no other wood in the world that compares to the toughness of acacia. So, how hard is Acacia? In fact, it’s even more hard than teak, with a hardness value of 1700. Because of this, it’s ideal for usage indoors.

Both acacia and teak have a distinctive grain pattern that has come to be associated with elegance. When it comes to acacia vs. teak, luxury homeowners love acacia tables because of their stunning appearance. You can also stain acacia wood for a more beautiful look!

Using Acacia Wood for Outdoor Furniture

You can use both teak and acacia wood species outside, but you must protect them from the elements.

Acacia table

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.

Outdoor furniture like chairs and tables made of acacia and teak wood are stunning. In the colder and rainy seasons, it’s important to keep them covered. Acacia can be used to make outdoor furnishings, but you’ll need to maintain it more frequently than teak.

See Also: Maple vs Birch Plywood 

Pros and Cons of Acacia Furniture

Pros

Durable

Acacia’s hardness depends on the species, but it’s generally considered hard. Acacia is a popular choice for coffee tables, dining tables, and other furniture because its hardness sets it apart from other kinds of heartwood [1].

Eco-friendly

Acacia lumber is a great wood for woodworking projects for sale because it is environmentally friendly. 

Acacia lumber

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 to water and heat

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 if it’s lightweight, it is still very robust and can hold much more weight than it can put down. Acacia is a popular choice for home decor and tables because of its beauty and durability.

Cons

It could be high maintenance.

There are good acacia advantages; however, it is vulnerable to degradation because it is extremely pricey. It’s prone to scuffs and dings. As a result, if you don’t want to have your acacia refinished, you’ll need to take careful care of it.

Acacia wooden shelf

Not good with water and humidity.

In the presence of water, the heartwood of acacia tends to shrink. As a result, it’s best to avoid utilizing this wood near water or other sources of high humidity.

Expensive

Despite being more durable, its price isn’t as low as expected. It is a little more expensive than other common woods, which is one a known drawback of acacia wood

How to Distinguish Between Teak and Acacia

ParameterTeakAcacia
Density (Janka hardness scale)2,3301,100 to 4,070
PriceExpensiveCheaper
AppearanceStraight grain patternStraight lines to wavy grain
SmellDistinct powerful smellSmell upon cutting only
WorkabilityHard to work onEasier to work on
Botanical detailsTall treeBush-like tree
Suitability for outdoorsGood for outdoor useGood for indoor use
Suitability for wood carvingYesYes

Conclusion

I really hope my comparison between teak and acacia wood clarified things for you. Honestly, you can use either wood for your projects and get great results. 

Just remember, understanding the unique qualities of each wood type will make sure you get the best bang for your buck. Use this guide to pick the best wood for your creations.

robert headshot

Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.

Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles
Join our community on facebook and get 3 woodworking plans for free!
0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is empty