Materials
Teak, mahogany and mindi come up in almost every furniture enquiry we receive from importers. They look different, they behave differently, and the right choice depends on where the piece will be used and how it will be finished. This guide explains what is reliably known about each wood, where the published information is thin, and how to write the wood into your order so the quotation you receive is the one you meant.
Treat this as a starting point. Wood is a natural material, and two boards of the same species can differ in density, colour and grain depending on where and how they grew. The finish, the construction and the climate of the destination matter as much as the species.
Teak (Tectona grandis) is the benchmark for outdoor furniture. Its reputation rests on the natural oils in the heartwood, which help it resist moisture and decay. The sapwood, the paler outer layer, contains less of these oils and is generally considered weaker outdoors. When you buy teak for outdoor use, ask whether the pieces are made from heartwood.
Teak is a medium-hard wood. Published Janka hardness figures for it are mostly in the range of about 1,000 to 1,100 lbf, which makes it harder than mahogany and softer than many oaks. Three practical points for buyers:
Mahogany used in Indonesian furniture is mostly plantation-grown. Swietenia macrophylla has been planted on Java since the late 1800s, and it is now one of the common plantation species in the country. The wood is medium in weight and rather soft compared with teak, which is why it is easy to shape and carve.
Plantation mahogany is usually used indoors. It is generally not recommended for contact with the ground, where its natural durability is limited. Its colour is a reddish brown that stains and finishes well, so it suits traditional and classic designs. Ask for a finish sample, because the tone you see on a board will change with the stain.
Mindi (Melia azedarach, also called chinaberry) is widely used in Indonesian furniture workshops. It is a lighter-coloured wood that takes paint and stain, so it is common in pieces where the surface will be coloured.
One honest caveat: published data on mindi is limited, and the numbers quoted online for its hardness and density disagree with each other. Indonesian forestry researchers have noted the same gap. For that reason we suggest you do not decide on mindi from a table you found on a blog. Ask for a sample board in the finish you want, and judge the wood itself.
We also work with recycled pine, metal, brass, leather, shagreen, rattan, upholstery and petrified wood. The material and finish directory lists the options.
Whichever wood you choose, timber legality documents are part of the order. Our SVLK certificate number is VLHH-33-07-0788, and we can send a copy with the export documents. Details are on the export and logistics page.
Yes. The minimum order is one 20-foot container, and different products can be mixed in it.
Send us the design and the wood you want. We quote custom work for what customers request.
Tell us the product, the wood, the finish and where it will be used through the quote form, or message us on WhatsApp.
Tell us the products, quantities and any changes you need. We reply with sizes and a quotation.
Request a Quote