Teak vs Acacia Wood
Teak vs acacia wood; is one better for your home or business space?
Teak and acacia wood are quickly becoming popular in homes and businesses throughout the US. These hardwoods come with a list of pros and cons worth considering.
Besides the obvious aesthetic differences, it’s not so cut and dry when it comes to acacia vs teak. The acacia wood difference compared to teak is why we focus primarily on acacia. But the rich natural oils of each wood make both rather appealing.
So, in the battle of acacia vs teak, which wood wins? If it were solely based on the grain patterns, it would ultimately be up to the end-user. But there’s more to it than that.
Keep reading to learn more about acacia vs teak, how these dense woods compare for indoor and outdoor use, and additional insight to make the best buying decision possible.
Teak
Where does teak wood come from anyway? Teak is a tropical hardwood tree species that can grow to over 130 feet tall. The teak tree is native to south and southeast Asia, living for 100 years or longer.
Teak trees grow quite fast, especially when considering the density of this tree. These trees reach maturity within around 25 years. This makes it perfect for timber that can be used for outdoor and indoor furniture.
Teak is prized for its impressive straight grain patterns. The grain pattern of this high-quality wood gives it a luxurious aesthetic, which is why it is commonly grown on carefully managed plantations throughout Southeast Asia.
Teak Furniture Brands
If you’re interested in high-end, luxury teak furniture, check out these brands:
Safavieh
As one of the top-rated outdoor teak furniture manufacturers in the industry, Safavieh is worth looking into as soon as possible. With a remarkable journey spanning over thirty years, Safavieh has evolved from a humble artisan family business into a powerhouse corporation known for its exceptional craftsmanship and cutting-edge operations.
Safavieh’s unwavering commitment to superior quality and timeless design has positioned it as an authority in the home furnishings industry. While the brand has embraced technological advancements and logistical prowess, it has never lost sight of its core values.
Christopher Knight Home
Born from the collaboration of furniture industry veterans, visionary designers, and internet marketing experts, the Christopher Knight Home brand has revolutionized the way people shop for home furnishings. With a unique fusion of Christopher Knight’s business acumen and his life as an actor and celebrity, the brand came to life in November 2012, marking the inception of Christopher Knight Home as an online furniture powerhouse.
Throughout the past eight years, Christopher Knight Home has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of online sales, particularly excelling in the market of indoor and outdoor home furnishings. Combining innovation, style, and a deep understanding of customer needs, Christopher Knight Home has earned its esteemed position as one of the finest outdoor teak furniture manufacturers.
Walker Edison
Walker Edison is a renowned outdoor teak furniture manufacturer based in Salt Lake City, UT. From its humble beginnings, the company has grown to become a leader in the industry, known for its reliability and innovative approach.
Whether partnering with renowned e-commerce giants or serving individual customers, Walker Edison continues to push the boundaries of creativity and functionality, empowering people to redefine outdoor living.
Modway
Modway is a brand that believes in the power of self-expression through home decor. They understand that our living spaces significantly impact our daily experiences and overall well-being.
This company aspires to be more than just a furniture retailer. They’re a dedicated team committed to helping customers create spaces that reflect their unique personalities and desired lifestyles. Whether furnishing a new home, redecorating an existing space, or searching for that perfect accent piece, Modway is there to bring visions to life.
Tangkula
Tangkula, established in 2008, is dedicated to offering exceptional home and outdoor products, striving to create a simple and comfortable living environment for customers. As a comprehensive one-stop shop, Tangkula provides an extensive range of categories, including outdoor and garden items, home decor, office supplies, pet essentials, lighting fixtures, golf equipment, and more.
Tangkula takes pride in its advanced warehouses strategically located across the globe, enabling prompt and accurate transportation services to customers in various regions, further enhancing their shopping experience.
GDFStudio
Furinno
Highwood
EAST OAK
WholesaleTeak
PURPLE LEAF
Armen Living
AKOYA Outdoor Essentials
Amazonia
Bayview Patio
PATIOJOY
Pebble Lane Living
Gloster
Gloster is one of the leading luxury teak outdoor furniture brands, and for good reason. They offer a wide range of beautiful, well-crafted teak furniture that is sure to impress.
Barlow Tyrie
Barlow Tyrie is another great option for luxury teak outdoor furniture. They offer a wide selection of both classic and contemporary designs, so you’re sure to find something to suit your taste.
Kingsley-Bate
Kingsley-Bate is a well-known name in the world of luxury outdoor furniture, and their teak furniture is some of the best you can find. Other than their exceptional quality, they also offer a wide range of style options to choose from.
How Hard is Teak?
Teak’s straight grain pattern contributes to its hardness and durability. Thus, it’s perfect for wooden furniture that needs to stand up to the elements. But let’s not forget about its water resistance.
Using the Janka Hardness Scale, the teak’s hardness is impressive. According to this scale, the Janka scale rating is between 1000 and 1155, which means this wood is harder than poplar, cedar, mahogany, chestnut, and white pine.
Teak Natural Oils
Teak offers oils that make it one of the most expensive woods on the planet. This wood offers impressive natural oil content that contributes to its water resistance and makes it naturally resistant to pests.
The high oil content in raw teak gives this wood some of the highest decay resistance for natural wood products. This is why it doesn’t crack, warp, or turn black when it comes into contact with metals.
Teak Indoor Furniture
Thai and Burmese teak are commonly used for indoor furniture because of the reddish-brown aesthetic and unique grain patterns. While it’s more common to see teak wood coffee tables, teak wood dining tables, and even a teak wood end table or two in southeast Asia, this bulky hardwood is becoming increasingly common in the US.
However, those considering a teak wood table should keep in mind that these aren’t cheap. While acacia and teak are pricy in their own respect, teak is the gold standard for long-lasting furniture and is priced as such.
Teak Outdoor Furniture
Teak wood patio furniture is more common than indoor furniture. Since the wood is highly water-resistant, it’s perfect for handling outdoor conditions. This is also why we see so many teak decks in Chicago.
A teak wood patio set is a great alternative to the cheap plastic stuff. And with proper care, it’ll last a lifetime or two. This dense wood has a few variations available and will require regular maintenance, but an aesthetically pleasing outdoor sanctuary is worth the effort!
Teak Furniture Pros and Cons
Benefits of Teak
Long Lasting Wood
Teak has a lot to offer homeowners. It lasts for a long time, meaning your chairs, tables, benches, and more will last between 50 and 70 years. It’s a viable alternative to plastic because of its impressive durability.
Nice Weathering
What’s more, is how teak weathers over time. This durable wood ages well, even in extreme weather.
Durable Against Elements
Since teak is high in oils and rubber, it offers impressive durability against rot. Even with snow and rain, this durable wood stands up to the elements. This is why so many people use teak as opposed to other species for boat-building.
Disadvantages of Teak
Aging
Teak does age over time. But it’s not all bad. The silvery-grey patina looks nice to some, and a top coat of oxidation can result if it’s exposed to UV rays and rain.
Not Waterproof
While water-resistant, teak is not waterproof. But it’s still durable against water, rotting, cracking, and warping.
Expensive
Teak is also quite expensive. Since this is a dense wood, it’s quite heavy. And the additional weight makes it costly to ship the timber.
Acacia Wood
Acacia vs teak is a war that continues to be waged. And it’s easy to see why. Both of these woods boast their own exotic grain pattern and have a host of pros and cons. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and application.
So, what is acacia wood anyway? For starters, the acacia wood Minecraft gamers know is pixelated. But the real-world applications for this exotic hardwood are equally impressive!
Acacia trees flourish in tropical climates. Various species are found throughout the world. But the majority of this exotic hardwood is exported from Thailand, Hawaii (Hawaiian Koa), and certain African countries.
However, the only country that requires acacia exports as completed furniture is Thailand. This is why we decided to base our factory in The Land of Smiles!
Acacia Natural Oils
Acacia wood durability comes from its oils. This is a bushy tree, but the oils it contains make the lumber a lighter shade vs teak.
An acacia wood slab is kiln-dried to rid it of excess moisture. This ultimately makes the wood even more durable while preserving the grain pattern from rot.
Once the slabs are dry, we use a top coat finish to perfectly preserve each piece. This process makes the wood highly durable at a lower cost, as well.
Acacia Wood Indoor Furniture
Is acacia wood hard? Yes! Acacia wood hardness is quite impressive. With a rating of 1700, it’s even harder than teak. This makes it perfect for indoor use.
If you’ve ever sat at an acacia wood table or used acacia wood dining chairs, you’ve likely observed the beautiful aesthetic. While both acacia and teak have a lot to offer in terms of beauty, most people prefer the acacia look over the teak.
But is acacia wood good for indoor dining and relaxation?
Yes! Whether an acacia wood end table or acacia wood dining table, each piece boasts a unique grain pattern synonymous with luxury. Compared to teak, the look is breathtaking, which is why luxury homeowners prefer to have their tables crafted from the acacia tree.
Acacia Wood Outdoor Furniture
Is acacia wood good for outdoors? Yes, but you’ll need to cover it and keep it out of the elements.
While acacia outdoor furniture is becoming increasingly popular, it does require some extra care. We recommend caring for acacia wood patio furniture by keeping it out of direct sunlight and away from pools or jacuzzis.
Acacia outdoor tables look incredible. But it’s best to keep them covered, especially during the winter and rainy seasons. Simply put, acacia for outdoor furniture creation works, but you’ll need to take care of it more than teak!
Acacia Wood Furniture Pros and Cons
Benefits of Acacia
The British Royal Navy used to export acacia from the Indian subcontinent to build ships because it’s durable and stable. It’s excellent for shipbuilding.
But besides that, acacia has various other benefits worth considering, including:
Eco-friendly
Acacia is an eco-friendly wood that’s perfect for woodworking projects. It’s not an endangered species, and it’s actually an invasive species in some parts of the world. Despite these facts, it grows very fast and can be harvested without damaging the environment.
Highly Durable
The hardness rating for acacia varies from species to species, but it’s quite hard. It’s harder than most other heartwood, and for this reason, many people are making the switch to acacia dining tables, coffee tables, and more.
Relatively Scratch-resistant
Besides in homes, restaurants are embracing acacia for its scratch resistance. These heartwood tables are also great for homes with children and pets that tend to use and abuse tables and chairs.
Water & Heat Resistance
Acacia furnishings are perfect for homes and commercial businesses alike. Whether the wood is exposed to water or heat, its durability ensures it lasts a long time, especially when you know how to care for acacia!
Unique Wood Grain
Acacia’s exotic wood grain makes it highly popular. It’s more attractive than teak, and many people choose acacia dining tables because of this reason alone.
No Insect Attacks
Insects don’t like acacia, so you’re able to pick the perfect table without worrying about termites and other bugs.
Easy to Work With
Like most hardwood varieties, acacia requires special tools. But it cuts well and sands well.
You also have the option for live edge or straight lines for the edge. In addition, you don’t need to apply a stain to it. Just sand and lacquer it, and it’s ready for use!
Lightweight Compared to Other Lumbers
However, it’s still strong and can hold significantly more than its weight. That’s why many people choose acacia for home furnishings and tables.
Disadvantages of Acacia
Acacia also has some disadvantages, including:
Requires Some Care
In addition to being very expensive, acacia is prone to damage. It scratches and dents very easily. If you don’t want your acacia re-finished, you’ll need to treat it with special care so it retains its desirable appearance for years on end.
Can Be Priced Higher Than Teak
Even though acacia is more durable, it’s not as cheap as you might think. In fact, it costs slightly more than teak and other common woods.
Doesn’t Withstand Water & Humidity
Acacia heartwood has a tendency to shrink when it comes into contact with water. For this reason, you should avoid using this wood near pools and other high-humidity places.
Softens When Exposed to Direct Sunlight
Because of this fact, we recommend keeping acacia out of direct sunlight, especially in the summer months.
Teak vs Acacia: Which is Better?
You came here wondering how teak compares to acacia. But which is better?
Ultimately, it depends on how you plan to use the wood. For indoor dining tables, coffee tables, end tables, and other indoor furnishings, acacia is the obvious winner. But if you need patio furnishings, you’re likely better off purchasing teak.
The look of acacia is usually more appealing and timeless than teak. But some people prefer teak because it looks comparable to Australian Blackwood.
Concluding on Teak vs Acacia
Regardless, as you shop for home and commercial furnishings, keep acacia and teak in mind as both of these hardwoods are absolutely gorgeous! And if you’re looking to furnish your home, office, or commercial space with acacia, feel free to contact us at any time!
If you loved this article, you’ll probably love our other posts comparing acacia to other common hardwoods. Feel free to give Black Walnut vs Walnut Wood vs Acacia a quick read, too!
