Teak vs Sheesham vs Mango vs Oak: Choosing Wood for Furniture in India

The four woods at a glance

Most solid-wood furniture sold in India is made from one of four species. They differ in hardness, stability, durability and price, and each has places where it shines.

These are general characteristics of the species. Individual boards vary, and how the timber was cut, dried and finished makes a big difference to how a piece performs.

Teak

Teak has been the benchmark furniture timber in India for centuries, and it is still the wood many families think of first. It grows across central and southern India and South-East Asia, much of it today in managed plantations.

Why it is prized:

• Natural oils and silica. Teak heartwood contains oils that help it resist moisture, decay and termites, and give it a slightly waxy feel.
• Stability. Once seasoned, teak moves less with humidity than most hardwoods, so doors stay true and tops stay flat.
• Workability and finish. It machines cleanly and takes oil, polish and lacquer well. It is also the traditional timber for many Gujarati crafts, including Sankheda furniture.

Watch for: price, and the difference between heartwood (the durable, golden centre of the log) and sapwood (the pale outer band), which has none of teak's durability. Young plantation teak contains more sapwood and can be less stable than mature timber. Ask what you are getting.

Best for: dining tables, beds, doors, bathroom vanities, outdoor and semi-outdoor furniture, and pieces you expect to hand down.

Sheesham (Indian rosewood)

Sheesham, also called Indian rosewood, is a dense, strong hardwood with a striking grain that runs from golden brown to deep chocolate with darker streaks. It is widely used for solid-wood furniture across North India, and Rajasthan is a major centre for sheesham furniture making.

Strengths: high strength and hardness, excellent screw and joint holding, a rich look that needs no stain, and good value compared with teak.

Watch for: sheesham is prone to cracking and movement if it is not seasoned properly, so insist on kiln-dried timber (see why kiln drying matters). Its sapwood is pale and less durable, and colour varies from board to board, so expect variation across a set.

Best for: beds, dining tables and chairs, wardrobes, chests, and statement pieces where the grain is part of the design.

Mango wood

Mango wood comes from fruit trees that have stopped bearing and are felled. That makes it widely available and relatively economical.

Strengths: an attractive grain that can include grey, brown and sometimes spalted patterns, ease of working, and a lower price than teak or sheesham.

Watch for: mango is softer, so it dents more easily, and it is less durable. It is susceptible to fungal staining and insect attack unless it is properly dried and treated. It needs a good protective finish, and it is not a natural choice for outdoor use.

Best for: side tables, consoles, shelves, cabinets and decorative pieces, and budget-conscious projects where heavy daily wear is not expected.

Oak

Oak is hard, pale and has a pronounced open grain. Quarter-sawn oak shows distinctive silvery "ray fleck" figure. In India, oak is mostly imported (European and American white and red oak), which affects price and availability.

Strengths: hardness, strength, a light Scandinavian or contemporary look, and good stability once seasoned. White oak in particular is relatively resistant to moisture, which is why it has long been used for barrels and boats.

Watch for: cost and lead time for imported stock, and the tendency of oak's open pores to show dirt in light finishes unless they are well sealed.

Best for: contemporary dining tables, chairs, beds and shelving, and interiors with a light, minimal palette.

Other woods you will hear about

• Walnut (usually imported American black walnut): rich chocolate colour, superb for premium furniture and veneers, and expensive.
• Acacia: hard and affordable, often used in export furniture.
• Rubberwood: a light plantation timber common in ready-made furniture. It must be treated, as it is vulnerable to insects and fungus.
• Engineered alternatives: plywood, MDF and particle board, often veneered. See solid wood vs plywood vs MDF.

Species is only half the answer

Two tables in the same wood can perform very differently. What matters as much as the species:

1. Heartwood or sapwood. Durability lives in the heartwood.
2. Seasoning. Timber must be dried close to the moisture level of your home, or it will crack and warp (kiln drying explained).
3. Treatment. Less durable species need preservative treatment against borers and termites (protecting furniture from termites).
4. Design and joinery. Wide tops need to move; joints need to suit the load (a guide to wood joinery).
5. Finish. A good finish slows moisture exchange and protects the surface (finishes for solid wood).

Which wood for which piece

How we work at SAAG

SAAG, Savistar's furniture brand, designs and builds bespoke solid-wood furniture in-house, with responsibly sourced, kiln-dried timber and documented quality control. Choosing the species is part of every commission, matched to the piece, the room and the budget. See our furniture portfolio or tell us what you would like made.