Home / Wood Compare / Black Walnut vs Sweet Chestnut
Professional Comparison · Source-attributed engineering data · Updated 19 July 2026
Black Walnut VS Sweet Chestnut
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
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Black Walnut
69/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood💧Moisture Stable
- Harder wear surface (Janka 1010 vs 680 lbf)
- Stronger in bending (MOR 101.0 vs 71.4 MPa)
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Sweet Chestnut
51/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor💧Moisture Stable
- Easier to machine and fasten
- More durable (Class 2)
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Black WalnutSweet Chestnut
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Sweet Chestnut |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | Black Walnut |
| Strength (MOR) | Black Walnut |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Black Walnut |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Sweet Chestnut |
| Lightness | Black Walnut |
Engineering data
| Property | Black Walnut | Sweet Chestnut |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1010WD lbf | 680WD lbf |
| Density | 0.55FPL g/cm³ | 0.56WD g/cm³ |
| MOE | 11.6FPL GPa | 8.61WD GPa |
| MOR | 101.0FPL MPa | 71.4WD MPa |
| Durability | Class 3 Moderately Durable | Class 2 Durable |
| Stability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Fire (E84) | Class B indicative | Class B indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 5.5WD % | 4.2WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 7.8WD % | 6.9WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.42 | 1.64 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor decking / pergola | 🥇 Sweet Chestnut | ★★★★☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Sweet Chestnut | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Black Walnut | ★★★☆☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Sweet Chestnut | ★★★★☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Black Walnut | ★★★☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Black Walnut
Advantages relative to Sweet Chestnut
- Janka is 1,010 lbf vs 680 lbf, about 49% harder
- MOR is 101 MPa vs 71.4 MPa, about 41% higher
- MOE is 11.6 GPa vs 8.6 GPa, about 35% higher
Limitations relative to Sweet Chestnut
- Durability is Class 3 vs Class 2 — one class less durable in exterior service
Sweet Chestnut
Advantages relative to Black Walnut
- Durability is Class 2 vs Class 3 — one class more durable in exterior and moderate-exposure service
Limitations relative to Black Walnut
- Janka is 680 lbf vs 1,010 lbf, about 33% lower
- MOR is 71.4 MPa vs 101 MPa, about 29% lower
- MOE is 8.6 GPa vs 11.6 GPa, about 26% lower
Recommendation
Choose Black Walnut if…
- Fine furniture, cabinetry, doors, gunstocks and architectural interior joinery where the higher hardness, bending strength and stiffness are what the piece must deliver and the interior use suits Class 3 durability
- Turnery, decorative veneer and panelling where the harder, stronger interior hardwood is what the project is specifying
Choose Sweet Chestnut if…
- External cladding, decking, fencing, posts and utility poles (30-40 year documented service) where the Class 2 durability and moderate exterior service life are what the piece needs
- Interior joinery and cooperage where the natural durability rating is acceptable and the working properties are sufficient
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Black Walnut or Sweet Chestnut?
Sweet Chestnut — it carries the better EN 350 rating (Class 2 vs Class 3). Lower class numbers mean higher natural durability.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Sweet Chestnut — outdoor performance combines decay durability with dimensional stability, and it leads on that combination.
Is Black Walnut harder than Sweet Chestnut?
Yes — Janka 1010 lbf vs 680 lbf.
How we score. Scores shown are percentile ranks within our library, weighted towards durability and dimensional stability. They shortlist; they do not decide. Full weighting and what it excludes.