Being two of the most popular natural materials that we choose to adorn our homes with; both mahogany and oak are in this article going head-to-head so that you can see which is the best furniture material for you.
In Nature
When it comes to the natural world, both the oak tree and the three primary trees that make mahogany wood, are regarded as some of the most beautiful trees in the word.
In the case of the oak tree, it is by far one of the most sacred and traditional trees in cultures throughout the world; representing strength, beauty and enlightenment.
For the three trees that primarily make up mahogany wood (Jacq, King and Zucc), they are tropical in their origin and only genuine mahogany may come from the Americas; making mahogany one of the most exclusive furniture materials around.
So, depending on what you want, mahogany is great for that touch of the exotic, whereas oak is perfect for a more traditional feel to your home.
In Hardiness and Durability
When it comes to wood, both materials are well known for their durability; great news if you’re busy rearing a young family.
If you were to judge them by the Janka hardness test (which measures the resistance of the wood concerning denting and wear), White Oak comes out trumps with a hardiness rating of 1360, 70 marks above red oak, which is considered the benchmark rating.
Santos Mahogany comes out of the test with a rating of 2200, being found in fifth place of all the hardest woods in the world; far above oak itself.
In Style
As already stated, oak is one of the most traditional furniture materials in the world, and the reason for it is simply because it is also one of the most beautiful materials that nature can muster.
In fact, due to its beauty, oak has only been available to the general public over the past few hundred years as it was once a highly regarded material that was available to the rich and powerful.
As for mahogany, it also is not exactly lacking in the looks department. Available in the deepest of browns and reds, the wood offers a luxurious essence of the tropical world that simply cannot be beaten by any other wood.
In Flexibility
When it comes down to it, no matter which material of furniture you inevitably choose; it has to match the décor of your home. Thankfully both materials are rather flexible when it comes to matching a particular style of decoration.
Oak for example, can work beautifully well when it comes to a home that is decorated in a rustic style. On the other hand however, it can be used as a magical ingredient for a contemporary style that perhaps just needs a touch of traditional value.
Mahogany, as you may have guessed, thanks to its natural beauty and colouring, can pretty much work in any type of décor for your home; whether it is traditional, classical, post-modern or minimalist.
In store
You can buy traditional wood furniture from a range of quality and trustworthy online stores where you can purchase solid oak furniture available from Oak Furniture UK for the best prices possible.
