Sheesham vs Teak Wood: Which is Better
Humans and trees have had a special bond since forever as wood happens to play a major role in our survival. The type of wood we use in our living space can contribute to the quality of life we live. Teak and Sheesham have turned out to be the most commonly used wood types for making modern and premium furniture. We are here to clarify which among the two is the best for you to buy. Follow this post and find a complete comparison between Teak wood and Sheesham Wood.
Both Teak and Sheesham wood come with their own benefits and drawbacks. Below we have chosen some important metrics to compare Teak and Sheesham. By the end of this post you will be able to decide which type of wood will suit you the best. But before we get into the comparisons lets get some basic knowledge about Teak wood and Sheesham wood.
Teak Wood
Teak wood is a premium type of wood obtained from a species named Tectona grandis. This wood is great to work with and produces extraordinary furniture.
A Teak tree has to grow a minimum of 30 meters before it can be used and the tree must be 50 years or older for good quality wood.
Teak trees are produced all over the world and are more common in South Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Some of the fine qualities of Teak wood are its smooth texture, durability, rich yellowish-brown color and fine grains. Because of their strong nature, they are used to make furniture, doors, artifacts, and more.
Sheesham Wood
Sheesham wood which is otherwise called Indian rosewood is obtained from a species called Dalbergia sissoo. There are two types of Sheesham wood that go by the names Heartwood and Sapwood. This wood is reddish-brown in color and a popular choice for making furniture.
A mature Sheesham tree will age around 22 years and they grow up to a height of 30 meters from the ground. Sheesham is famous worldwide for its premium quality of rosewood and north Indian states are the biggest producers of them.
The rich grains, dark veins, and the beautiful shades make this wood suitable not only for making furniture but also musical instruments that can resonate very well.
Sheesham Sapwood requires high-maintenance as they tend to attract beetles that bore into woods. So if you are going to buy Sheesham you must be ready to take special care of it.
Teak vs Sheesham: The Comparison
1. Durability
Teak wood has a very dense texture with closely spaced grains that makes it more suitable to make heavy furniture that has to last longer. Wardrobe, cabinets, beds and other big furniture are made using Teak.
Sheesham wood is lighter in weight when compared to Teak wood and they are prone to moisture due to the water percentage in them. Also, Sheesham has the tendency to warp under warm conditions. Smaller furniture like coffee tables, chairs, nightstands, and dining tables are made using Sheesham.
We can clearly see that Teak wood is more durable when compared to Sheesham because of their water resistance and heaviness. However, Sheesham is also decently durable for making small and foldable pieces of furniture.
2. Texture
The biggest difference between Teak and Sheesham lies in their texture. While Teak wood has a rough texture and a yellowish-brown color, Sheesham has a natural grain with golden brown color. However, when Teak wood is exposed to light and weather it changes into a silvery-grey patina.
Many prefer Sheesham over Teak when it comes to looks as it comes with a grainy texture and visible marks.
3. Resistance to Water/Termite
Teak wood naturally has more oil content that prevents damage caused by termites, fungi, and moisture. Also, it does not swell when there is moisture in the air and has very low shrinkage. The natural oils make teak wood more suitable even for outdoor furniture and seaside homes.
Sheesham, on the other hand, has a higher percentage of water which makes it more prone to moisture damage. This also means that Sheesham are more flexible but to avoid damage you would have to polish the entire furniture and apply wax evenly.
Clearly, Teak wood is more resistant to termites and water.
4. Weight
We can easily say that Teak wood is heavier than Sheesham wood because of its denser texture and solidity. Hence, Teak wood is preferred while making large and hefty units and Sheesham is used when small products are made.
5. Usability/ Workability
Artisans who make furniture units by hand always prefer Teak wood. This is because designs can be easily carved out in Teak wood and this gives a premium look to the end product.
6. Cost
Considering all the properties of Teak wood and Sheesham wood mentioned above, we can clearly state that Teak is more expensive than Sheesham.
If your budget is low, you can always go for products made of Sheesham. But if you want a more durable and strong unit you must choose Teak wood.
Result
If you had gone through the above mentioned parameters, you must be able to pick the better hardwood which is Teak. Though Sheesham wood is lesser when compared to Teak, it does come with its own positives. With good maintenance that includes polishing and waxing Sheesham wood products can be long-lasting. However, Teak wood does not require much maintenance. In the end, it is you who has to decide which wood you want considering your need, budget, and other factors.
