How can you tell the difference between mahogany and cherry wood?
The colors of mahogany and cherry bear a resemblance. Both species are reddish, but mahogany leans to orange tints and can have brownish streaks. Cherry leans to purplish-brown tints, with a delicate pattern. Cherry is photo-reactive and darkens substantially in sunlight, even after a few days of exposure.
Is mahogany wood soft or hardwood?
Common examples of hardwoods are oak, walnut, cherry, and maple, while softwoods include things like cedar, fir, and pine. Given Honduran mahogany’s alternate common name, “big-leaf mahogany,” it’s easy to ascertain that it’s a hardwood. How Dense/Hard is Mahogany Wood?
Is mahogany or Cherry better for kitchen cabinets?
Cherry wood is a product of the United States and Canada, which makes it a bit less expensive than mahogany. Mahogany is also a good choice for kitchen cabinets because of the smooth texture and moderate hardness that make it a good carving wood.
What is the difference between mahogany and African mahogany?
The combined species are typically referred to as genuine mahogany. Another variety, African mahogany, is usually more expensive but is similar enough in appearance to genuine mahogany that the distinction between African and genuine is sometimes ignored.
Which wood is better cherry or mahogany?
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. Cherry can blotch when stained if sealer is not applied. Mahogany stains evenly without sealer.
Is mahogany harder than cherry wood?
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 mahogany the best wood?
Mahogany is one of the most prized and used woods in making furniture because it's strong and beautiful. It also takes stain very well. However, mahogany can be used for all sorts of purposes, from hardwood flooring to interior trim to cabinetry.
What is cherry mahogany?
makore, African cherry, cherry mahogany A moderately hard, heavy wood of West Africa, pinkish to red-brown in color; resembles mahogany and American cherry; used for cabinets, flooring, and plywood.
Is mahogany and cherry wood similar?
Cherry and mahogany woods can look very similar to the untrained eye, but have a number of differences in color, texture and growth pattern. The grain of wood pattern depends on the cut of the wood.
Which wood is better for furniture?
One of the types of high-quality wood used for making furniture is teak wood as it is durable and highly fire-resistant. Other types of wood include rosewood, deodar, oak and mahogany.
What are the disadvantages of mahogany wood?
Cons:As it is very hard as compared to others, it is difficult to cut, give different shapes, and also have a tiring installation process. ... As mahogany hardwood floors absorb sunlight, the color of the wood becomes darker over time.More items...
Why is mahogany so expensive?
Mahogany is so expensive because it has a high demand and is becoming increasingly hard to acquire. The high demand of Mahogany is due to its pleasing appearance, dark fine grain, and long lasting durability. Mahogany has also become more scarce leading to a lack of supply and higher prices.
Is mahogany wood waterproof?
Mahogany is Water Resistant It's the king of hardwoods because of it being water-resistant and not prone to decay or rot. Pests can't even penetrate the wood. Outside elements and insects are no match for this rare, unique wood. Also, it holds paint very well.
Is cherry wood good for furniture?
Particularly good for detailing and carving, cherry is good for making such furniture for the home as armoires, dining room tables, nightstands, and dressers. Not to mention, cherry can lend itself to produce such versatile pieces as cabinets, wood instruments, flooring, and boat interiors.
Does mahogany and cherry go together?
Woods with warm undertones will look yellow or red - think Cherry, Mahogany, and Hickory. These woods will work well together, even if they vary in darkness and grain.
What wood is similar to cherry?
Ellis Walentine: Maple and birch are the most common substitutes. Their grain patterns aren't quite the same, but with a dye stain, they can look a lot like cherry, at least at first glance. Cherry's color, of course, goes all the way through the wood, so you won't expose white wood if you chip an edge accidentally.
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 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.
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
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.
Sapwood & Heartwood
Cherry trees have narrow sapwood in hues ranging from the wood’s trademark reddish brown to white. Some may even have a creamy pink sapwood, which is open to attack by furniture beetles. By contrast, mahogany trees have yellowish white sapwood that is appears quite different from the heartwood.
Grain Patterns & Stability
Cherry wood lumber is known for its fine, uniform grain patterns and rich, dark wavy streaks, which are showcased best in quartersawn boards. Mahogany has a grain that’s uniform as well, but it ranges from very fine to extremely coarse.
Working Properties & Durability
The working properties of cherry and mahogany are premium, allowing for clean cuts by both hand and power tools. Since mahogany has a tendency to splinter, using sharp tools is extremely important.
What is cherry wood?
Cherry is a fine-grained hardwood that is a frequent choice for kitchen cabinets. 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. Cherry wood is a product of the United States and Canada, which makes it a bit less expensive than mahogany.
Where does mahogany come from?
Mahogany is a tropical wood from South and Central America, making it a bit pricier than cherry. Michele Norfleet is a freelance writer who writes on travel, home and garden and education topics.
Why do people choose cherry wood for kitchen cabinets?
Today the woods are chosen for kitchen cabinetry because of their durability and rich wood tones. When choosing between the two, personal style and budget are considerations.
Is cherry wood harder than mahogany?
Cherry is a harder wood than mahogany, resists warping and is easy to carve and polish. Cherry wood is a product of the United States and Canada, which makes it a bit less expensive than mahogany.
Is mahogany a good wood for kitchen cabinets?
Mahogany is also a good choice for kitchen cabinets because of the smooth texture and moderate hardness that make it a good carving wood. It has a straight grain that gives an elegant, sophisticated look to cabinets. Mahogany has warm tones in tan to reddish brown that become darker, as does cherry, with age and exposure to light. Mahogany is a tropical wood from South and Central America, making it a bit pricier than cherry.
What is mahogany wood?
Mahogany Wood. Mahogany is an exotic wood prized for its durability, workability, and elegant look. It has a pink or reddish-brown hue that deepens over time. The grain is straight and uniform, typically with relatively few knots or blemishes. Although Mahogany looks great and is easy to work with, there are environmental concerns related to ...
Why is mahogany wood used in furniture?
America’s love of mahogany wood dates back to colonial times, particularly in furniture because it is durable and takes to ornate carving well. It’s also used in paneling, cabinetry, flooring, and doors. Its rot-resistance also made it somewhat popular for decking and boat making in the past.
Why are mahogany boards so big?
Boards can be exceptionally large because the trees may grow to epic proportions, sometimes reaching six feet in diameter. For this reason, it was once quite common to see mahogany paneling in high-end design, but the exotic wood was also incorporated into furniture and used for cabinetry quite a bit too.
How tall are swietenia macrophylla?
These beautiful slow-growing giants can reach up to 200 feet tall, with trunks that are 6 feet in diameter. Although the average size is closer to 130 feet tall, it still takes decades for Swietenia macrophylla to reach these heights and old growth is most at-risk for illegal harvest.
What are some examples of hardwoods?
Common examples of hardwoods are oak, walnut, cherry, and maple, while softwoods include things like cedar, fir, and pine.
Is mahogany wood eco friendly?
Considering the level of exploitation, deforestation, and the amount of illegal harvest ing occuring, mahogany is not an eco-friendly choice at all. Adding to this, most mahogany wood that makes its way into the United States is shipped across oceans and continents, further increasing the carbon footprint.
Is mahogany endangered?
That said, all genuine mahogany is classified as either vulnerable to extinction or endangered. Illegal harvesting is a major problem, contributing to the destruction of rainforests, devastating the homes of indigenous people, threatening wildlife, and feeding international crime rings.
What is the difference between black cherry and sweet cherry wood?
Another difference between the two types of cherry wood is the color. Sweet cherry wood has more color contrasts than black cherry wood. It is also harder and more resilient compared to black cherry wood. Finally, it’s not as common as black cherry wood, which may affect its price, especially in Northern America.
Why is black cherry wood so popular?
Another reason why black cherry wood is popular among furniture makers is its durability. It’s highly resistant to decay.
What is the color of Patagonian cherry?
Patagonian cherry is more popularly known as Tiete Rosewood due to its rose family origins. Widely found in South America, its scientific name is Guibourtia hymenaeifolia. It is noted for its orange to pinkish brown color that tends to redden with age. Patagonian cherry wood is commonly used in interior floors as well as other small specialty wood items.
Why is Patagonian cherry not a favorite of manufacturers?
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Patagonian cherry is not a favorite of manufacturers because of its poor workability. It can be argued that the uniform and straight grain of the wood is its saving grace.
What is Caribbean cherry?
It is also called by other names like Mayan/Aztec Cherry and Black Cabbage Bark. It is typically used in flooring, furniture, decking, and heavy construction. One of the prime qualities or characteristics of Caribbean cherry is its hardness. It has a Janka test rating of 3,100 pounds.
Why is cherry wood brown?
Over time, oxidation causes it to turn rich brown-red. Cherry wood is well noted for its superior workability and durability. Its heart, for one, is highly resistant to rotting and decay. It’s also moderately strong, capable of resisting shock loads.
How tall is a black cherry tree?
With the scientific name of “Prunus Avium,” the tree can reach heights of up to 65 feet. Trunk diameter can grow up to 2 feet. It is smaller compared to its cousin, the black cherry tree. Yet despite being smaller, sweet cherry wood is far more durable than black cherry wood.