When it comes to building something out of solid lumber, whether we are talking about outdoor or indoor purposes, you have many different types of wood at your disposal. Two very popular and common types of wood to use for a variety of construction purposes include mahogany and acacia.
With that being said, both materials are quite different from each other, which is what we are here to discuss today. Let’s determine what makes mahogany and acacia different from each other, and which one is best used for specific purposes.
What Is Mahogany?
First, we have mahogany, which is a tropical hardwood tree that is native to various parts of the Americas, particularly the warmer regions. It is also deciduous in nature, which means that it loses its leaves during the colder seasons. Yes, it is found mainly in the Americas, although due to exportation, it can also be found in Asia and Oceania.
The mahogany tree features an extremely tight grain that is also straight, combined with a smooth texture, and very few knots, gaps, or voids. In terms of color, it is a very deep reddish-brown that darkens over time.
This wood is extremely hard and dense, and also contains a good bit of resin and sap. For this reason, not only is it very durable and impact-resistant, but also resistant to pests, rotting, moisture, and fungus.
For this reason, mahogany is considered a high-end type of wood that is ideal for both outdoor and indoor purposes, which also happens to make it fairly expensive. Mahogany is generally used for high-end applications such as making high-quality indoor and outdoor furniture, windows and doors, cabinets, and decorative pieces.
What Is Acacia?
We then have the acacia tree, which is a deciduous hardwood tree that is native to Australia, although it can also be found all around the Pacific Rim, in Asia, and in Africa.
Acacia wood tends to have very irregular grain structures. It can be straight, wavy, curly, or come in the form of rings. Acacia wood also tends to have many knots and gaps, because these trees have lots of branches that grow out of the trunk. At the same time, the color of acacia wood can be light brown or as dark red and brown as mahogany.
Acacia does also happen to be one of the hardest types of wood, as well as one of the densest. In fact, it’s often considered to be one of the hardest types of hardwood out there.
Due to it being so hard and dense, this material is also extremely resistant to moisture, pests, and more. This wood also happens to be extremely expensive, which is why it is often used for high-end applications, such as for luxury indoor and outdoor furniture, cabinets, doors and windows, and other decorative pieces.
Mahogany vs. Acacia: What Are the Differences?
Now that we know what both mahogany and acacia wood are, let’s figure out what makes me different from each other.
Hardness
One of the biggest differences here is that mahogany is much softer than acacia.
On the Janka hardness scale, mahogany comes in at 900 lbf, whereas acacia wood comes in at well over 2200 lbf. This means that acacia wood is over twice as hard as mahogany, therefore also making it much more durable. This wood is extremely resistant to denting, scratching, and physical impacts of all kinds.
Yes, mahogany is still considered to be extremely strong, although just not quite as hard as acacia.
Density
What is very interesting to note is that, although mahogany is much softer than acacia, it’s actually also heavier. Mahogany wood comes in at roughly 53 lbs per cubic foot, whereas acacia comes in at well under 49 lbs per cubic foot. For this reason, although it’s extremely durable, because it’s quite lightweight, at least when compared to mahogany, some people do consider it easier to work with.
Flexibility
Something else important to note is that mahogany is a bit more flexible than acacia, which means that it is easier to work with in the sense that you can bend it into various shapes, at least a little bit easier than acacia.
Overall Strength
What is interesting with all of this is that one of these types of wood is not necessarily more durable than the other in the grand scheme of things. Yes, acacia wood is much harder, but also less flexible. This means that it can’t flex as well and therefore also doesn’t have quite as much impact resistance, although it is more structurally sound than mahogany.
Pest and Moisture Resistance
The good news here is that both of these types of lumber are very resistant to pests and moisture. With that being said, because acacia wood is much harder and has a more solid surface, it is more resistant to pests and moisture. Both of these types of lumber are ideal for indoor and outdoor use, although if you have to pick one, acacia should be it.
Appearance – Color and Grain
In terms of appearance, mahogany wood is usually straight grain, smooth, uniform, and has a dark reddish-brown color. On the other hand, acacia has a very irregular grain pattern that may take many forms and is usually a bit lighter in color than mahogany. Most people would agree that mahogany is the better-looking of the two.
Workability
Because acacia is so hard, and because it has many knots in it, it is generally considered fairly difficult to work with, and certainly much harder to work with than mahogany.
Cost
As for the cost, mahogany can cost anywhere between $15 and $30 per board foot, with acacia being fairly on par. That said, for acacia, you can expect to spend a little more than for mahogany.
When to Use Mahogany Wood?
If your number one concern is that your furniture and other projects look very nice, then the reddish-brown color of mahogany is ideal. Keep in mind that mahogany is also very durable and moisture-resistant, so it is fine for both indoor and outdoor use. Most people would usually use it for luxury purposes.
When to Use Acacia Wood?
Generally speaking, acacia wood can be used for anything and everything that mahogany can be used for. The reason we say this is because it is lighter in weight, yet also harder and more moisture-resistant. Therefore, although acacia wood may not look quite as nice as mahogany, it will outperform mahogany, especially where outdoor conditions are concerned.
Alternatives to Mahogany and Acacia Wood
It is no secret that both these types of wood are quite expensive, and if they cost too much for you, there are some other options to consider, including poplar, maple, alder, white oak, ash, and European beech.
For more alternatives to mahogany, read this article.
Summary
Now that you know exactly what makes these two high-end types of lumber different from each other, you can choose the best one for your next project.