which is better oak or mahogany

Mahogany is harder, more stable and more durable than its oak counterparts. Santos mahogany

has a hardness rating of 2200, which is exceptionally hard. It's the second most popular choice for exotic hardwood flooring, next to Brazilian cherry. Red oak has a hardness rating of 1290, and white oak has a hardness rating of 1360.

Full Answer

Which is better oak or mahogany?

Mahogany is harder, more stable and more durable than its oak counterparts. Santos mahogany has a hardness rating of 2200, which is exceptionally hard. It's the second most popular choice for exotic hardwood flooring, next to Brazilian cherry. Red oak has a hardness rating of 1290, and white oak has a hardness rating of 1360.

Is mahogany a good wood?

Wood can be from a very wide range of plants, but mahogany is the wood of choice when high-end furniture and other items are in their construction. Mahogany is probably the best wood for joinery because it is so strong and durable.

Is cherry wood the same as mahogany?

Cherry and mahogany woods can look very similar to the untrained eye, but have a number of differences in color, texture and growth pattern. The grain of wood pattern depends on the cut of the wood. And it’s important to note that any wood can be stained to look cherry or mahogany, so be aware of the look-alike finishes.

What type of wood is best for interior doors?

What Types of Wood Are Best for Interior Doors?

• Engineered Wood. One of the most common and effective types of interior doors is composed of an internal core made from composite engineered wood and exterior surfaces treated in a ...
• White Oak. Solid white oak interior doors offer both function and style for interior home design. ...
• Poplar. ...
• Cherry. ...

Is mahogany wood better than oak?

Mahogany is a hardwood, it is harder and more durable than oak, but softer than maple. Mahogany is used in many decorative settings because of the popularity and elegance of the wood. Naturally, Mahogany is a darker wood, and it accepts stain very well. The grain is what makes mahogany truly unique.

What's more expensive mahogany or oak?

Oak is less expensive than mahogany.

What are the disadvantages of mahogany wood?

Cons:As it is very hard as compared to others, it is difficult to cut, give different shapes, and also have a tiring installation process. ... As mahogany hardwood floors absorb sunlight, the color of the wood becomes darker over time.More items...

Is mahogany wood the best?

Not only is Mahogany still one of the most outstanding kinds of wood for handmade furniture, durability, and ability to be carved with the most intricate details—it is truly one of the most beautiful as well.

Why is mahogany so valuable?

Mahogany is so expensive because it has a high demand and is becoming increasingly hard to acquire. The high demand of Mahogany is due to its pleasing appearance, dark fine grain, and long lasting durability. Mahogany has also become more scarce leading to a lack of supply and higher prices.

How can you tell genuine mahogany?

Check the corners of wood to spot a veneer. Genuine mahogany end grain will have marginal parenchyma, or rows of light brown cells at the border of every growth ring you can see in the end grain. The presence of these is a strong suggestion of Swietenia species, which is the species of tree mahogany comes from.

Is mahogany a cheap wood?

Mahogany is a popular wood for making furniture, musical instruments, carving, and for many indoor and outdoor woodworking projects. It is expensive because of its appearance and great qualities.

Which wood is best for furniture?

Best woods for furnitureMaple Wood Furniture. Maple may be the ideal furniture wood. ... Mahogany Wood Furniture. One of the more traditional woods in furniture making, mahogany is a beautiful wood. ... Oak Wood Furniture. ... Cherry Wood Furniture. ... Pine Wood Furniture. ... Cedar Wood Furniture.

What is the strongest wood?

Generally acknowledged as the hardest wood, lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum and Guaiacum officinale) measures in at 4,500 pounds-force (lbf) on the Janka scale.

Do mahogany and oak go together?

Mahogany furniture looks great on oak floors. Matching furniture and floor color is not so picky and may be changed out much easier. You may mix or match them according to your floor. Oak floors are a bit more traditional than mahogany because of durability, so choose mahogany furniture to decorate.

How long does mahogany furniture last?

With proper care, mahogany furniture can last up to 40 years outside. While mahogany has great insect resistance, it does not do well when left in direct sunlight. Extended exposure to direct sunlight will lead to your wood's color fading and turning to a soft silvery gray.

Is mahogany the most expensive wood?

African Blackwood It is considered as the most expensive wood in the world because not only it is challenging to work with hand or machine tools, its trees are already near-threatened. But as expensive as it may seem, African Blackwood is worth the price.

Is mahogany wood costly?

Mahogany is one of the expensive timber wood and mahogany tree selling price in India varies between Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 depending on the cube feet of the tree that usually develops with the age.

Is oak an expensive wood?

Although on a grand scale of all existing woods, oak is on the more expensive side because it is classified as a hardwood, oak is one of the cheapest hardwoods. The price of Oak wood ranges between $1505 to $2520/cubic meter ($43 to $72 per cubic foot).

How much is a mahogany tree worth?

Mahogany is sometimes sold by the board foot, and prices can average $6 to $28 or more per piece. This is about 10 times more than comparable furniture-grade woods.

What is the difference between mahogany and red oak?

Differences between them are insignificant when considering durability, application and longevity. The typical concern is mostly aesthetics and cost. Oak is less expensive than mahogany.

What are the different types of mahogany?

All of them are typically marketed together and sold as "genuine mahogany." Two other varieties differ slightly: African mahogany, because of its luster and hardness, is considered superior to genuine mahogany and is usually marketed separately from genuine. Because Philippine, or Lauan, mahogany tends to be bland and softer, it is considered inferior to genuine mahogany and is also marketed separately. If you order mahogany generically, you'll likely receive genuine mahogany.

How wide is a mahogany board?

Mahogany boards often exceed 12 inches in width. Oak boards rarely exceed 12 inches. Smaller oak boards can be assembled into panels, but color matching is required. Mahogany boards are more consistent in color and are easier to match.

What is the best wood for a fireplace?

If you prize a uniform, consistent appearance, choose mahogany. Oak displays bold, flame patterns that are complex and varied. Choose oak for a busy appearance. Oak grain lines are typically black. Mahogany grain lines are brownish and less prominent, so you may have to look closely to see them. Advertisement.

Which is harder, white oak or red oak?

White oak is harder, more exclusive and has straighter grain patterns than red oak. Varieties of mahogany are imported from plantations in Latin America, Africa and a variety of tropical locations worldwide.

Is mahogany wood good for carving?

The harder, more complex grain patterns in oak make it less desirable for turnings, carvings and hand machining. The consistent, straight grain pattern of mahogany is preferable for hand working and carving. Advertisement. references.

Is mahogany endangered?

Mahogany is listed as an endangered species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List, but it remains readily available from certified dealers. Oak is grow n and harvested domestically, readily available and not endangered. Advertisement.

What is the best mahogany wood for decking?

Java or Malaysian Mahogany from old growth forest. Very dark, tight grained iridescent almost tiger eye surface when scraped and dense wood. Ideal for making decking for yachts and fancy sundecks for the big waterfront mansions in Florida. This wood costs over $80 to $200 per board foot. Very few people will see this quality of Mahogany for it’s harvest is tightly controlled. Honduras Mahogany is noticeably cheaper at $50 to $70 a board foot. There are Caribbean mahoganies that can range from $30 to well over $200 a board foot depending on quality, figure and if it’s new or old growth forest s

Why is mahogany so expensive?

Mahogany is always expensive because most of it is used in ship decking, marine timber construction due to it’s oily self preserving nature.. White oak is the heart wood of red oak and is harder and tighter grained. Quarter saw white oak is smooth, very subdued tight grain. About $15 to $25 a board foot.

What is the Janka rating?

Wood, as a material, can have its hardness quantified using the Janka rating; the industry standard rating. With this rating, the resistance of wood samples to denting and wear is measured. Varying on account of wood grain direction, different woods are tested based on the cut surface of a stump cut from the material. The measure of hardness and strength is pounds-force (lbf).

How much does mahogany cost?

Top quality Mahogany with a good figure in the grain can run $25–30 a board foot; the best quality oaks run 20% of that price.

How much is a board foot of mahogany?

Very few people will see this quality of Mahogany for it’s harvest is tightly controlled. Honduras Mahogany is noticeably cheaper at $50 to $70 a board foot. There are Caribbean mahoganies that can range from $30 to well over $200 a board foot depending on quality, figure and if it’s new or old growth forest sourced.

Why is walnut wood so expensive?

Walnut wood is so expensive due to supply and demand. This hardwood may be popular with furniture manufacturers, but compared to other choices, such as Oak, Pine, and Cherry it is in short supply. Black Walnut trees, on the other hand, take up to 55 years to mature.

What determines the value of wood?

The prices of wood changes with demand, type of wood, and the season. Some factors that determine worth is the grade of the logs, their diameter, how logs can be made from the tree, and any defects. A veneer tree or log is used for products like furniture and therefore appearance is important.

What are the two common types of oak?

Oak has two common varieties, red and white. Both can be broken

What is the scale used to measure the hardness of wood?

There is a scale that rates the hardness of woods called the Janka Hardness Scale.

Why are trees in the woods more sought after than trees in the yard?

There is a specific reason why trees in the woods are more sought after than trees in your yard. A tree in the yard will have more white sapwood, while a tree in the forest will have dark heartwood. The sapwood isn’t able to be used for veneers so the tree isn’t as wanted. Forest trees are also usual. Continue Reading.

Is Douglas Fir stronger than pine?

Sturdy. It is harder and stronger than the usual pine or fir (though I believe Douglas fir comes close.)

Is red oak harder than poplar?

Hickory used in axe handles is 1820. Also White Oak is slightly harder than Red Oak at 1360. Like the previous answer mentioned, the grain and grade (how many knots and imperfections it has) would be a factor depending on your purpose. Quarter sawn boards have greater structural integrity than plain sawn, so that is something else to consider. Overall I would say red oak is much stronger than poplar all other factors being equal (width, thickness, etc)

Comparison chart santos mahogany vs red oak hardwood flooring

Santos mahogany and red oak are great flooring options with their own advantages and disadvantages. Mahogany is harder wood with its unique look, but exotic wood species are more expensive. Red oak is one of the most popular hardwood flooring on the market. Red oak is durable wood and will last for decades with adequate care.

Which flooring is better?

Santos mahogany and red oak are great flooring options with their own advantages and disadvantages. Mahogany is harder wood with its unique look, but exotic wood species are more expensive. Red oak is one of the most popular hardwood flooring on the market. Red oak is durable wood and will last for decades with adequate care.

What is the best wood for exterior doors?

Solid and rich in color, mahogany wood doors add a sophistication to your home. Mahogany is one of the most reliable materials for exterior door construction.

How many species of oak are there?

Oak. There are approximately 600 species of oak! At Doors by Decora, we primarily build our doors out of two of those species, red oak and white oak. Oak is very dense, creating great strength and hardness and making it a good choice for exterior doors. The wood is very recognizable by its distinct and visible grain.

What wood is used for doors?

Alder has become a popular species for door construction due to its pronounced grain and uniform texture. This versatile wood species features a fairly straight grain with areas of burl clusters and small knots. These marks add character and will provide a darker texture and color when the unit is stained and finished.

What is the most robust wood?

Spanish Cedar . Cedar is one of the world’s most robust wood species, as it naturally resists decay and maintains its stability, even in particularly harsh environments. The color of cedar varies from light to dark reddish-brown, and its texture varies from fine to course.

Why is quarter sawn wood so beautiful?

This grain is even more beautiful and pronounced when the wood is quarter sawn. Because of its high tannin content, the wood is very resistant to insect and fungi attack.

Is mahogany wood good for exterior doors?

Mahogany is an extremely durable wood. It has been the standard in exterior doors for a very long time.

Is oak a threatened species?

Due to the wide and varying grain of this wood, it is very important that you maintain a good finish on your oak door. Oak is not a threatened species of wood, but Doors by Decora still chooses to purchase most of our oak from sustainably grown and harvested forests.