Wood Species Comparison

Compare timber species side by side using practical reference information on density, hardness, durability, stability, appearance, workability and common applications.

Compare Timber Properties

Select two or more species, then add as many additional species as you need. The comparison matrix expands horizontally to accommodate your selections.

Timber Properties Comparison

Scroll horizontally to compare additional species. The first column remains visible where supported by the browser.

Reference information: Wood properties can vary by species, growing conditions, moisture content, grade, drying method, source and testing standard. Values shown by this tool are for general comparison and should not replace project-specific technical documentation.

How to Compare Wood Species

A wood species comparison is useful when several timber options appear suitable for the same project. Instead of judging timber by appearance or hardness alone, compare the characteristics that influence performance, handling, service life, processing and cost.

Start with the intended application. Furniture, flooring, doors, decking, construction, outdoor work and decorative joinery can place very different demands on timber. Density and hardness may be important for a heavily used floor, while dimensional stability and moisture resistance may receive more attention for doors, joinery or exterior applications.

Availability, grade, moisture content, dimensions and sourcing conditions also affect the practical choice. Two species can have similar reference properties while behaving differently because the timber comes from different grades, growing conditions or drying processes.

Density

Helps indicate approximate weight and can influence handling, machining, drying and transportation.

Hardness

Useful when evaluating resistance to indentation and wear in applications such as flooring and high-use furniture.

Durability

Helps assess expected resistance to decay, moisture exposure and wood-damaging organisms.

Stability

Important when changes in moisture could cause movement, shrinkage or dimensional changes.

Wood Properties That Matter

Selecting timber involves several properties rather than a single universal ranking. Density, hardness, durability, dimensional stability, workability, grain, colour, texture, moisture resistance, availability and price can all influence whether a particular species fits a project.

Density

Density describes the amount of wood material within a given volume. It is commonly expressed in kilograms per cubic metre. Higher-density timber is often heavier, but density alone does not establish whether a wood is appropriate for a particular project.

Hardness

Hardness is useful for applications where a timber surface may experience indentation, impact or repeated foot traffic. It can be particularly relevant when comparing flooring, work surfaces, furniture components and some joinery applications.

Durability

Natural durability describes how a timber tends to perform against biological deterioration under relevant conditions. Exposure, construction details, ventilation, finishing, moisture and maintenance can all affect actual service performance.

Dimensional Stability

Timber responds to changes in moisture content. Stable species may be easier to use where movement must be controlled, but correct drying, installation and moisture management remain essential.

Workability

Sawing, machining, sanding, gluing and finishing characteristics matter when timber will be processed into furniture, flooring, doors, mouldings or other finished products.

Appearance

Colour, grain and texture influence the visual result. Natural variation is expected, and boards from the same species may differ in colour, grain pattern and figure.

Wood Hardness Comparison

Janka hardness is a commonly used measure of the force required to embed a standard steel ball into wood to a specified depth. It provides a useful reference when comparing the relative hardness of timber species.

A wood hardness comparison can be useful for flooring, furniture, heavy-use surfaces, doors and joinery. Harder timber can offer useful wear characteristics in some applications, but increased hardness can also affect machining, tooling, drilling and fastening.

Janka hardness should therefore be considered alongside density, dimensional stability, durability, workability, availability and the requirements of the finished product. A higher Janka value does not automatically make a species the correct choice for every application.

Wood Density Comparison

Wood density is an important part of a timber comparison because it can influence weight, handling, machining, drying, transportation and product selection. Buyers working with large quantities may also consider density when estimating the relationship between timber volume and shipment weight.

Density values need to be interpreted carefully because wood contains moisture. The same species can show different measured density values depending on moisture content, growing conditions, tree characteristics, sample location and the testing method used.

For commercial timber orders, the comparison tool should be treated as a preliminary reference rather than a substitute for a current product specification, grading document or inspection report.

Wood Durability Comparison

Durability describes how timber tends to resist deterioration under particular service conditions. Natural durability can include resistance to fungal decay and, depending on the species and test conditions, resistance to insects or termites.

Exterior exposure is more demanding than many interior applications. Rain, standing water, humidity, ground contact, poor drainage and repeated wetting and drying can significantly affect timber performance.

When comparing species for outdoor use, consider natural durability together with construction details, moisture management, surface protection, treatment, maintenance and the expected exposure conditions.

Wood Species Comparison Examples

Teak vs Iroko: Both are commonly considered for durable applications, but they differ in appearance, density, workability, availability and reference performance. Compare the intended environment rather than choosing solely by reputation.
Mahogany vs Sapele: These woods are often considered for furniture, doors and interior joinery. Grain, colour, machining behaviour, availability and project requirements can influence the final selection.
Cumaru vs Teak: Both can be considered for demanding applications where hardness and durability matter. Their weight, workability, appearance and sourcing considerations are different.
Oak vs Beech: Both are established furniture and interior timbers, but their grain, hardness, dimensional movement, appearance and processing characteristics differ.
Wenge vs Ebony: These are distinctive dark timbers with strong decorative appeal. Price, availability, hardness, grain and intended use should all be evaluated before purchasing.
Dibetou vs Mahogany: Both can be considered for furniture, joinery and interior applications. Comparing appearance, machining characteristics, density, stability and availability provides a more useful purchasing decision than relying on species names alone.

How to Choose the Right Wood Species

The right timber depends on the requirements of the project, the available grade and the conditions in which the finished product will operate.

  1. Define the project purpose. Identify whether the timber is intended for furniture, flooring, doors, decking, construction or another use.
  2. Consider indoor or outdoor exposure. Exterior applications generally require greater attention to moisture and durability.
  3. Set the required durability. Consider expected exposure, maintenance and potential biological deterioration.
  4. Review hardness requirements. High-use surfaces may require a different hardness profile from decorative interior products.
  5. Confirm dimensions. Species availability can vary significantly by thickness, width, length and grade.
  6. Check moisture content. Correct drying and moisture management are important for dimensional performance.
  7. Evaluate finishing requirements. Grain, texture, natural colour and surface preparation can influence the final appearance.
  8. Consider quantity and budget. Commercial availability and relative price can change the practical choice.
  9. Check source and certification. Confirm the origin, legality, documentation and certification requirements relevant to your market.
  10. Review shipping requirements. For international orders, consider packaging, documentation, shipment volume and destination requirements.

What Makes One Wood Different From Another?

Wood is a natural material, so differences occur both between species and within the same species. Density and hardness are influenced by anatomy and growing conditions, while moisture content and drying affect how timber behaves during processing and service.

Grain structure affects machining and appearance. Growth conditions, tree age, location within the log and timber grade can also influence the characteristics of individual boards.

Moisture Content and Drying

Moisture is particularly important because timber changes dimension as its moisture content changes. Proper drying helps bring timber toward the moisture conditions expected for its intended use, but the appropriate target depends on the application and environment.

Timber Grade

A species name does not describe every board. Grade, knots, defects, grain orientation, dimensions and processing quality can materially affect the performance and appearance of a finished product.

Growing Conditions

Trees growing in different environments can produce timber with different characteristics. Reference values should therefore be treated as approximate rather than as guaranteed specifications for every shipment.

Need Timber for Your Project?

AtoZ Wood Company can assist with timber requirements including wood species, dimensions, quantities, wholesale supply, processing, drying, export requirements and shipping documentation. Share your specifications with the sales team to discuss suitable timber options and pricing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A wood species comparison tool allows you to compare timber species using characteristics such as density, Janka hardness, durability, stability, appearance, workability and common applications. It is intended as a practical reference for shortlisting suitable species.
Select the first two species using the searchable selectors. Click "Add Wood Species" whenever you need another comparison column, then search for and select the additional species. The comparison matrix updates automatically.
Yes. You can continue using the "Add Wood Species" button to add additional species. The comparison table creates another column for every selected species and can be horizontally scrolled when many species are included.
There is no artificial species-count limit built into this tool. The comparison is generated dynamically from the selected species array, with the practical limit determined by the browser's available resources and screen space.
Useful properties include density, hardness, durability, dimensional stability, moisture resistance, termite resistance, workability, colour, grain, texture, availability, price and suitability for the intended application.
Janka hardness is a standardized reference measurement used to indicate the force required to embed a steel ball into wood to a specified depth. It is useful for comparing relative hardness, but hardness alone does not determine overall timber suitability.
No. Higher density generally means more weight per unit volume, but it does not automatically mean that a species is better. The appropriate density depends on the application, handling requirements, machining needs, durability expectations and other project factors.
Species with useful natural durability and moisture resistance can be considered for outdoor applications, but suitability depends on the exposure conditions, design, drainage, treatment, finishing and maintenance. The comparison tool provides reference information rather than a universal outdoor-use ranking.
Species characteristics, heartwood or sapwood, moisture exposure, biological hazards, construction details, ventilation, surface protection, treatment and maintenance can all affect timber durability.
Yes. Wood contains water, so measured density can change with moisture content. For this reason, density values should always be interpreted with the moisture condition and testing method in mind.
No. The values are approximate reference information for general comparison. Actual timber characteristics can vary with species, provenance, growing conditions, moisture content, grade, drying method, sample and testing standard. Project-specific technical documentation should be used for engineering or specification decisions.
Start with the application, required dimensions, grade, moisture condition, durability, hardness, stability and appearance. Then consider quantity, availability, price, certification, source, processing requirements and shipping documentation. For commercial orders, confirm the final specification with the supplier before purchase.