Garapa VS Shisham Sissoo
- Stronger in bending (MOR 127.8 vs 97.5 MPa)
- Close second across most categories
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | Tie |
| Strength (MOR) | Garapa |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Garapa |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Garapa |
| Lightness | Garapa |
Engineering data
| Property | Garapa | Shisham Sissoo |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1650WD lbf | 1660WD lbf |
| Density | 0.72WD g/cm³ | 0.75WD g/cm³ |
| MOE | 15.57WD GPa | 10.4WD GPa |
| MOR | 127.8WD MPa | 97.5WD MPa |
| Durability | Class 2 Durable | Class 2 Durable |
| Stability | Good | Good |
| Fire (E84) | Class B indicative | Class B indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 4.2WD % | 3.1WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 7.5WD % | 5.3WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.79 | 1.71 |
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 | 🥇 Garapa | ★★★★☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Garapa | ★★★☆☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Shisham Sissoo | ★★★★☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Garapa | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Garapa | ★★★★☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Garapa
Advantages relative to Shisham Sissoo
- MOR is 127.8 MPa vs 97.5 MPa, about 31% higher
- MOE is 15.6 GPa vs 10.4 GPa, about 50% higher
Limitations relative to Shisham Sissoo
Shisham Sissoo
Advantages relative to Garapa
Limitations relative to Garapa
- MOR is 97.5 MPa vs 127.8 MPa, about 24% lower
- MOE is 10.4 GPa vs 15.6 GPa, about 33% lower
Recommendation
Choose Garapa if…
- Decking, docks and boardwalks, exterior siding and trim, marine work including cockpit gratings and handholds where the higher bending strength and stiffness matter under load and the shared Class 2 durability and Class B fire class are the baseline
- Interior and exterior flooring, doors and window frames where the stiffer exterior hardwood is what the piece needs
Choose Shisham Sissoo if…
- Fine furniture and cabinetry, decorative veneer, doors, windows and interior joinery where the working properties are sufficient and the shisham figure and appearance are the aesthetic preference
- Musical instruments and sports goods (both documented on the species page), decorative carving and turnery where the documented shisham role is what the project is specifying
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Garapa or Shisham Sissoo?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 2, Durable). For outdoor work the separation is movement, not decay: Shisham Sissoo moves 5.3% tangentially against 7.5%, which decides board width and fixing spacing more than the durability class does.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Both are EN 350 Class 2, and tangential movement runs 7.5% for Garapa against 5.3% for Shisham Sissoo — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and Shisham Sissoo holds its dimension marginally better. Hardness is effectively level (1,650 vs 1,660 lbf), so choose on supply, length and price.
Is Garapa harder than Shisham Sissoo?
No — Shisham Sissoo is harder (Janka 1660 vs 1650 lbf).