Acacia Wood vs Sheesham Wood

Both Acacia solid wood and Indian Rosewood (or Sheesham) are types of solid logs that have been used for centuries to make furniture.

Acacia is a tree native to Africa, Australia, and Asia, while Sheesham is found in the tropics of India.

Acacia belongs to the legume family (hence its name), and it’s harder than most other timbers such as teak wood, mango wood, or oak wood, but also less durable.

On the other hand, Sheesham can be easily cut by hand or machine because it lacks significant knots or grain patterns. However, it is not as resistant to wear and tear due to its softness.

What Acacia and Sheesham Have in Common

Both of these woods are long-lasting and water-resistant to come degree. Both can be used for outdoor furniture or flooring, but Acacia is also often used for indoor pieces.

While both kinds of wood make great options for staining because of their beautiful grains, Acacia wood is known for being long-lasting, while Sheesham wood is known for looking similar.

The cost for Sheesham wood is similar, as well. However, it’s usually slightly more expensive.

Acacia Wood Furniture

The acacia tree produces a soft material when it’s in raw form. But once the wood is kiln-dried, Acacia wood furniture offers impressive durability, allowing it to be sanded and gives a smooth finish like lacquer or varnish.

This exotic wood has been said to be stronger than mango wood or Teak wood.

The appearance of Acacia furniture is similar to other types of natural wood.

Acacia furniture can be easily seen in many homes because it’s a popular material for home furniture such as dining tables, cabinets, chairs, and countertops.

Sheesham Wood Furniture

Wood Sheesham trees offer is highly prized to some, as well. Unlike mango wood but comparable to Teak, Sheesham is quite hard and does not slip or warm. This is why many who buy furniture made from this wood also purchase cabinets.

This durable wood is also used for boat building in some regions!

Sheesham wood furniture is heavy-duty hardwood that can be easily stained to match any decor style. The wood this tree produces is world-renowned for its durability, making it excellent timber for home use – once it has a nice stain, of course.

While some prefer maple or cherry wood, a cabinet made from Sheesham is tough and sturdy. So, it’s easy to see why so many people opt to build a cabinet set from this timber.

It’s also an eco-friendly material because it does not need toxic chemical treatment before finishing.

This type of wood is a softer type of log with grain patterns that resemble bamboo or dark mahogany. Equally important to note is that it’s slower-growing than Acacia and wood from mango trees, so the supply isn’t as abundant. Therefore, the price usually reflects this scarcity and beauty.

Solid Acacia Wood vs Solid Sheesham Wood Comparison

Solid Acacia Wood

Appearance:

Wood from the acacia tree is light amber with dark bands. Rather than being limited to an off-white color with darker bands, acacia also comes in other light highlights of colors such as yellow and pink. But most acacia woods are golden brown or reddish-brown.

Durability:

This wood is considered a relatively soft log and is also known to be very durable compared to teak wood. It’s harder than mango wood, but unlike mango, acacia can also be made smooth finish like lacquer or varnished with the use of sanding and expert finishing techniques.

Workability:

This wood is very easy to work with. It can be cut, drilled, planed, sanded, and glued without difficulty.

Weight:

This wood is lighter than teak wood and mahogany. Thus, it’s usually less expensive to ship overseas. However, shipping prices have increased since COVID-19. So global shipping has become pricier.

Solid Sheesham Wood

Appearance:

Sheesham is known for being a beautiful dark solid log. The off-white sapwood contrasts with the dark wavy patterns and curly grain patterns. Sheesham has fewer visible knots than other types of wood like pine. But it can still be sanded and finished to look even better than pine if you prefer a more luxurious piece.

Durability:

Sheesham is a very solid log, and it doesn’t change color as much over time, but it can be stained to give you the nice wood finish that you want. However, unlike other types of wood, Sheesham still keeps its grain patterns as time passes.

Workability:

Sheesham is easy to work with. It can be cut, drilled, planed, sanded, and glued without difficulty.

Weight:

While it’s beautiful, Sheesham is heavier than Acacia. So, if you plan to ship it to the other side of the world, it’s likely to be quite costly.

Acacia Solid Wood vs Sheesham Solid Wood: The Winner Is…?

The Acacia and Sheesham wood comparison leaves you wondering which is the winner. Both trees grow in Southeast Asia. But only one reigns supreme.

Acacia: The Winner

When comparing the two, Acacia wins hands down because it’s more durable, has better aesthetics, is easier to work with, and allows expert craftsmen to produce stunning dining tables, dining chairs, flooring, indoor benches, and more.

Acacia also comes in more colors than Sheesham wood, like yellow and pink highlights, which makes Acacia more versatile.

Concluding on Acacia vs. Sheesham Wood Furniture

Both Acacia and Sheesham are popular materials for building home and commercial furnishings. They’re both especially popular among homeowners seeking natural, eco-friendly wood that can be easily finished to match their decor.

Acacia is a little less expensive and offers more magnificent beauty. But Sheesham might be a good option if you’re willing to pay more and don’t care how long it lasts.

Acacia is better for home and commercial furnishings because it has low humidity absorption. Plus, its fine-grain surface makes it resistant to stains and scratches, and it is less likely to warp or shrink than Sheesham.

Sheesham and Acacia wood have similar styles, but Sheesham can also be stained to look like Acacia or Indian Rosewood if you prefer one of these types of hardwoods over the other.

If you’re looking to buy home furniture, Thai Acacia is what we recommend. The grain pattern is second to none, and, unlike the collection you might find in India, the Thai wood offers impressive durability. This is why our shop specializes in working with this wood!

If you’re looking for a custom piece using wood from Thai acacia trees, we’re here to help. Contact us now to get started on your next project!

You seem interested in comparing woods. Make sure to check out our other articles, too!

If you loved this article, you’ll probably love our other posts comparing acacia to other common hardwoods. Feel free to give Teak vs Acacia Wood a quick read, too!