Teak and mahogany compared for wholesale buyers

What we supply: Indonesia Teak makes furniture in teak (Grade A and Grade B) and mahogany. Nothing else.

The woods at a glance

Wood Botanical name Look Relative price*
Teak Tectona grandis Golden to mid-brown; turns silver-grey outside $$$$
Mahogany Swietenia spp. Reddish-brown, fine and even grain $$

*Price compares the two woods for a similar design. It is not a quote. Grade, size, design and finish all move the price.

Keep the botanical names on file. EU importers need the scientific name of every wood in a product for their due diligence paperwork.

Teak: the outdoor standard

Teak is the reference wood for garden, patio and pool furniture. Its heartwood is dense and naturally oily, so it resists rot and insects without paint or heavy coatings. That is why teak furniture can stay outside all year.

What happens outdoors: untreated teak turns silver-grey in a few months of sun and rain. This is a colour change on the surface, not damage. Buyers who want the golden colour back can clean the surface and apply a teak oil or sealer.

Teak grades explained. We supply two grades: Grade A and Grade B. Across the industry, the letters usually mean:

Grade What it usually means in the trade
A Mostly heartwood, more even golden colour
B Heartwood with some lighter sapwood, more colour variation

There is no single official standard for these letters, so one supplier's Grade A can be another's Grade B. Always ask for photos of the actual timber in the grade you are quoted.

Care: outdoors, wash with mild soap and water once or twice a year, and oil only if the buyer wants to keep the original colour. Indoors, dust it and follow the care advice for the finish used.

Mahogany: indoor value

Mahogany has a fine, even grain and a reddish-brown colour. It takes stains, paint and lacquer well, which makes it a good fit for: - indoor dining tables, cabinets and beds, - painted or colour-matched collections, - classic and carved styles.

Indonesian mahogany furniture usually costs less than teak for the same design. It has much less natural oil than teak.

Care: dust it, keep it out of strong direct sun, and wipe spills quickly. The finish does most of the protection work.

Outdoor furniture also needs fittings that do not rust. Ask what screws, bolts and hinges are used on outdoor items.

9 questions to ask a supplier before you order

  1. Which wood is used in every part? Ask about hidden parts too: drawer sides, backs and slats.
  2. What does your teak grade mean? Ask for photos of the actual grade quoted.
  3. Is the factory SVLK certified? SVLK is Indonesia's timber legality system. Ask for the certificate number and check that the holder's name matches the export documents.
  4. Is the timber kiln-dried, and to what moisture level? Ask for a number, not just "dried". Wood that is too wet can shrink or split after it arrives. Our timber is kiln-dried to below 10% moisture.
  5. What finish do you use, indoor and outdoor? Ask for a finish photo or sample.
  6. How much colour variation should I expect across a container? This matters most with teak Grade B, which has more sapwood.
  7. Can you quote the same design in two woods? For us that means teak or mahogany. It is the fastest way to compare real prices.
  8. What is the packed size of each item? You need it to plan how many pieces fit in a 20ft container.
  9. Which port and Incoterm do you quote? Compare quotes on the same basis.

How this works when you buy from Indonesia Teak

Term Indonesia Teak
Woods Teak (Grade A, Grade B) and mahogany only
Export record 30 years of export experience, 1,000+ containers shipped worldwide
Minimum order One 20ft container; mix designs from the catalog to fill it
Smaller loads Half container or LCL if you are combining a load with other suppliers
Production time About 4–6 weeks per 20ft container
Timber legality SVLK certified (group certification); a V-Legal document or FLEGT licence goes with every export shipment
Quality checks We check every order before it ships
Port and price basis FOB Semarang (Tanjung Emas)

FAQ

Can teak furniture be left outside all year? Yes. Teak heartwood handles sun and rain without paint. It will turn silver-grey unless it is cleaned and oiled.

Which costs less: teak or mahogany? Mahogany, usually, for a similar design. Teak Grade B is also usually priced below Grade A. Ask us to quote one design in each option.

Can I mix teak and mahogany designs in one container? Yes. Our minimum is one 20ft container, and you can mix designs from the catalog to fill it.

Get a price for your range

Send us the designs you are looking at and tell us whether you want them in teak or mahogany. We will reply with prices on our trade terms, FOB Semarang.