The African also has a higher T/R ratio (the ratio between its tangential and radial shrinkage), which means it is a little more prone to distortion when exposed to changes in humidity...But when you compare African mahogany's stats to a wood like our native black cherry (Prunus serotina, which is considered to be one of our more stable domestic hardwoods) it is much superior.
What is the difference between cherry wood and mahogany?
The color of cherry wood is slightly lighter than that of mahogany, So that cherry can be easily stained. Whereas Mahogany is a dark type of wood. Which can be a bit difficult to stain. But most people would not like to stain mahogany as it has a naturally dark and beautiful grain. But you still want to stain the mahogany, So you can.
Is cherry wood the same as mahogany?
Cherry and mahogany both have a reddish tint, and to the untrained eye, they appear similar. But look closer, and you'll notice mahogany has close, straight grain lines. The grain lines in cherry wander, have more space between them and contain distinctive pitch pockets that add short streaks of black.
Is mahogany an expensive wood?
Mahogany is one of the most expensive woods in the world. Apart from construction pieces, mahogany wood dining plates can be bought for anywhere from $25 to $55 per plate; furniture pieces like a mahogany conference table could potentially cost up to $1,200.
Which is better oak or mahogany?
Mahogany is harder, more stable and more durable than its oak counterparts. Santos mahogany has a hardness rating of 2200, which is exceptionally hard. Even though white oak has a slightly higher hardness rating than red oak, it's 22 percent less stable than red oak, according to the National Wood Flooring Association.
Is African mahogany wood good?
Is African Mahogany a Good Wood for Flooring? Choosing the wood for flooring is all about the quality and appearance of the wood. Good quality African mahogany is an excellent flooring material. It is rich in color, has beautiful grain, and has moderate to high rot and termite resistance.
Which is harder mahogany or cherry?
The wood is hard and durable, with a smooth grain pattern and uniform texture that takes stain well. Cherry has a warm rich color that darkens with age and exposure to light. Cherry is a harder wood than mahogany, resists warping and is easy to carve and polish.
Is African mahogany wood expensive?
Sales of African mahogany, in particular, have increased significantly during the last several years. However, African mahogany definitely differs from the genuine article. "It's less expensive than genuine mahogany, [but] it's a little harder to deal with, grain-wise.
Is African mahogany cheap?
African Mahogany is the cheapest of the Mahoganies, and it is often purchased for use as an affordable alternative to Genuine Mahogany.
Is mahogany better than cherry?
On the Janka scale, which ranks wood density, cherry ranks 950, mahogany ranks 900, a difference so slight that it can barely be noticed. Cherry is one of the favorite all-around woods for workability. Mahogany is also very easy to work with but tends to splinter if grain patterns turn.
How hard is African mahogany?
African Mahogany Avg Dry Wgt (?): 33 lbs/ft3 (530 kg/m3) | Janka Hardness (?): 1100lbf (4893 N) | Specific Gravity (?): 0.53.
Is African mahogany actually mahogany?
African Mahogany, Khaya spp African Mahogany became the most available and affordable substitute. Today this is the most widely used wood called “mahogany”. It is not related to South American Mahogany but has a similar look and even though it is more brittle it has acceptable working properties.
Is African mahogany durable?
Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable; moderate to poor insect/borer resistance. Workability: Easy to work, glue, and finish. Tearout can sometimes be a problem if the grain is interlocked.
What is African mahogany called?
KhayaKhaya is a genus of five tree species in the mahogany family Meliaceae. The timber of Khaya is called African mahogany, and is valued as a substitute to American mahogany (of the genus Swietenia).
How can you tell African mahogany?
1:474:30African Mahogany vs Genuine Mahogany Tone: 5 Ways to IdentifyYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNumber two look at the grain genuine mahogany grain tends to be fine slight and uniform whereasMoreNumber two look at the grain genuine mahogany grain tends to be fine slight and uniform whereas African mahogany grain is usually more open erratic.
What color is African mahogany?
reddish-brownAfrican Mahogany heartwood ranges from light to deep reddish-brown in color. Grain is straight to interlocked. It's texture is medium to coarse.
Is African mahogany a good outdoor wood?
Less expensive than teak but more expensive than ipe, African mahogany is another top of the line choice for outdoor applications. African mahogany is a durable hardwood that resists decay, infestation, and warping and is easy to work.
Cherry Wood
Cherry is a fruit and woody tree. Its wood is known for its durability, stability, and great appearance. The origin of cherry is North America. In the USA, most sweet cherries are grown in Washington, California, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Mahogany Wood
Mahogany is native to the Caribbean and Central and South American. It is known for making great furniture and musical instruments. Mahogany is used almost everywhere in the world and It is famous for its natural dark color. Due to the fine grain and stability, It is used to make veneer sheets which are used to make plywood and flooring.
Cherry vs Mahogany Uses
Cherry wood has a medium density with good bending properties. It is low to medium rot and shock resistance. Cherry is widely used for toys, caskets, paneling, furniture, flooring, cabinet making, molding and millwork, kitchen cabinets, paneling, doors, boat interiors, musical instruments, turnings, carvings, and many more.
Cherry vs Mahogany Durability
Cherry wood is durable and stable. It is the best wood for furniture that lasts for years. Mahogany is also very durable and it has a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. If cared for regularly it lasts about 40+ years.
Which can be stained easily?
The color of cherry wood is slightly lighter than that of mahogany, So that cherry can be easily stained. Whereas Mahogany is a dark type of wood. Which can be a bit difficult to stain.
How long does it take for wood to dry?
Cherry is more hard and dense than mahogany. Therefore, Cherry takes time to dry. Cherry wood air drying (to 20% moisture content) takes 45 to 60 days for 1-inch material and 2 to 3 months for 2-inch material. The purpose of firewood can take about 3 to 4 months.
Cherry Wood vs Mahogany Price
Both cherry and mahogany are expensive woods. The price of any wood depends on many factors. Such as wood species, grade, and state.
What is the difference between cherry wood and mahogany wood?
Cherry wood has a reddish brown hue with a golden luster. When the wood is cut, it is very pale in color but the wood tends to become darker and richer with age, and eventually takes on its famous rich brown red shade. Mahogany is a type of tropical hardwood. It has a straight, fine and even grain, which is free of voids and pockets.
What is mahogany wood?
Mahogany is a type of tropical hardwood. It has a straight, fine and even grain, which is free of voids and pockets. The wood is known for its unique pink coloring, which tends to take on a deeper reddish-brown hue over time. Both, cherry wood and mahogany are two difference types of hardwoods. Basically, hardwood is the wood ...
Why is hardwood so expensive?
Due to this, most hardwood is dense. This is also the reason that hardwood is expensive, as it takes longer to grow. Some famous hardwoods include maple, balsa, oak, elm, mahogany, and sycamore. Cherry wood is the wood of the cherry tree, which is officially part of the Prunus genus ...
Why are hardwood trees not bunched together?
This is also the reason why hardwood trees are not often bunched together but are spaced apart and often have other trees in-between them. Most hardwood trees are also deciduous is nature. A deciduous tree is a tree that loses its leaves annually. Hardwood trees are also slower to grow, taking their own time.
What color is cherry wood?
Cherry wood has a reddish brown hue with a golden luster. When the wood is cut, it is very pale in color but the wood tends to become darker and richer with age, and eventually takes on its famous rich brown red shade.
What is hardwood wood?
Basically, hardwood is the wood that comes from an angiosperm tree. This is a type of tree that has seeds that are enclosed, be it in pods, a shell, a covering or in a fruit. For example, apples or nuts and seeds like acorns and walnuts.
What is cherry wood used for?
It is also easy to work. This makes the wood extremely popular with cabinetmakers. In addition to cabinets, the wood is also used to make other furniture, as well as in wood bending and turning. It is also used to make veneer, interior millwork, and small accessories.
Cherry vs Mahogany Wood – Difference
Cherry wood is a kind of hardwood that is found in North America. Cherry woods are softer when compared to other hardwoods and are finely textured.
Final Words
We can see that cherry and mahogany wood have differences as well as similarities regarding their durability and color ranges. However, mahogany wood has a larger audience than cherry. That adds to the reason why mahogany wood is less available and expensive.
Cherry Wood Vs Mahogany Wood: In-Depth Comparison
Sapwood is considered the wood’s outer covering and a channel to transport water and nutrients to the leaves for plant development. However, sapwood is also a food source of insects, so they often attack this part. Therefore, the sapwood should be maintained to prevent insects.
Cherry Wood Vs Mahogany Wood: Which Should You Choose?
Both types of wood above have their unique advantages. Therefore, choose one of them according to your intended use.
Why choose cherry wood?
Cherry wood has straight-grained qualities that make it easy to work with the tools.