Brazilian cherry wood and teak are furniture materials loved for their durability and classic design. These two are used for both indoor and outdoor, from floors to garden furniture, from ladders to canoes, these are preferred by many because they are weather resistant and sturdy.

If you have yet to make a decision on which type of material between these two is right for you, read on as I introduce the pros and cons of Brazilian cherry wood and teak. I will also give some tips on cleaning and maintenance.

Teak

The main characteristic of teak that makes it one of the best types of wood for furniture is resistance. Its durability is one of the main reasons people choose this material for furniture such as loungers, dining sets, chairs, and benches. Coming from countries such as Burma, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, teak is a type of tropical hardwood that is used as a material for items that demand strength and resistance to the elements. Teak has a high oil content that makes it excellent to be submerged in any weather condition.

In addition to being protected against wear and tear, teak also requires little maintenance. Maintaining it with the use of sealants or just cleaning it with soap and water a couple of times a year is enough.

One of the main differences between teak and Brazilian cherry wood is flexibility: the former is much more flexible than the latter, so if you plan to alter or modify your furniture, you won’t have a hard time doing it in teak. Also, teak is more expensive; you will definitely have to shell out more cash if you choose this over cherry wood.

One of the reasons teak is more expensive than other types of wood is that it is not readily available. You can easily find a furniture store that sells teak, so you can buy them effortlessly and have them delivered to your home without going through any trouble, but you should know that it is possible in most cases, acquiring these products is not so simple. . The high label price is due to a shortage of teak: there is a great demand, but the supply of old teak continues to fall slowly. There are many economic and environmental concerns (such as deforestation problems and distances in shipping) about teak from Southeast Asian countries, but there is an alternative: teak plantation, which is planted for forest management; for exclusive commercial / ecological purposes.

You won’t sacrifice anything if you get teak from a plantation, because it is as durable as old teak. Plantation teak that has lower densities is a myth: Studies say that the same properties (like the oily resins that make it durable and resistant to termites) are still there. Plantation teak can be grown in other tropical locations such as Mexico, Costa Rica, or other parts of Central America, and the quality you’ll find in these products will have the same great qualities as the old-growth ones from Southeast Asia.

Teak is more expensive than Brazilian cherry wood, but the latter could also be a bit expensive. However, if your mind is set on furniture that will last for decades (or even a lifetime), you won’t go wrong with teak. This is a product that is generally passed down from generation to generation; It works like an heirloom for many families, so investing in it will definitely be worth your money.

Brazilian cherry wood

Also known as Jatoba, Brazilian cherry wood is another known moisture resistant material that is used for products such as floors, cabinets, doors, and other types of joinery that require toughness. Like teak, cherry wood is beautiful and durable, and both have the ability to withstand even the worst weather conditions.

With a deep red / reddish brown / garnet hue (sometimes with black or other shades of darker highlights), the Brazilian cherry is a famous substitute for teak. In terms of polish and finish, this one stains particularly well. However, the very high density of cherry wood could have some disadvantages. Sawing it is, of course, possible, but it could be quite difficult to cut it because it could cause challenging effects on your tools. Most of the time, you need to pre-drill before nailing something into it. You should also be careful to note that this wood is about 230% denser than teak.

One difference between cherry wood and teak is that the color change occurs over time. With the former, a darker color will emerge if exposed to light; a few months of sun exposure will make it a little darker and it will stay that way. However, with teak, the color will change to a grayish brown once it is exposed outdoors. You need to pay attention to this detail, especially if you are particularly concerned about color (you don’t need to worry about quality decline due to outdoor exposure, as the quality will remain the same). Some people prefer the light / aged look, while others will always want the deep red / maroon shade. Assess your style preferences to find out which one will work for you and the overall look of your environment.