Home / Wood Compare / Indian Rosewood vs Shisham Sissoo
Professional Comparison · Source-attributed engineering data · Updated 19 July 2026
Indian Rosewood VS Shisham Sissoo
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
🥇
Indian Rosewood
74/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor
- Higher durability (EN 350 Class 1 vs Class 2)
- Harder wear surface (Janka 2440 vs 1660 lbf)
- Stronger in bending (MOR 116.0 vs 97.5 MPa)
🥈
Shisham Sissoo
52/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor💧Moisture Stable
- Easier to machine and fasten
- More stable in service
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Indian RosewoodShisham Sissoo
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Indian Rosewood |
| Stability | Shisham Sissoo |
| Hardness | Indian Rosewood |
| Strength (MOR) | Indian Rosewood |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Indian Rosewood |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Shisham Sissoo |
| Lightness | Tie |
Engineering data
| Property | Indian Rosewood | Shisham Sissoo |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 2440WD lbf | 1660WD lbf |
| Density | 0.75FPL g/cm³ | 0.75WD g/cm³ |
| MOE | 11.6FPL GPa | 10.4WD GPa |
| MOR | 116.0FPL MPa | 97.5WD MPa |
| Durability | Class 1 Very Durable | Class 2 Durable |
| Stability | Moderate | Good |
| Fire (E84) | Class B indicative | Class B indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 2.7WD % | 3.1WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 5.8WD % | 5.3WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 2.15 | 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 | 🥇 Indian Rosewood | ★★★★☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Indian Rosewood | ★★★☆☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Shisham Sissoo | ★★★★☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Shisham Sissoo | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Indian Rosewood | ★★★☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Indian Rosewood
Advantages relative to Shisham Sissoo
- Janka is 2,440 lbf vs 1,660 lbf, about 47% harder
- MOR is 116 MPa vs 97.5 MPa, about 19% higher
- Durability is Class 1 vs Class 2 — one class more durable in exterior and ground-contact service
Limitations relative to Shisham Sissoo
Shisham Sissoo
Advantages relative to Indian Rosewood
Limitations relative to Indian Rosewood
- Janka is 1,660 lbf vs 2,440 lbf, about 32% lower
- MOR is 97.5 MPa vs 116 MPa, about 16% lower
- Durability is Class 2 vs Class 1 — one class less durable in exterior service
Recommendation
Choose Indian Rosewood if…
- Musical instruments — the timber has been the standard for acoustic guitar backs, sides and fingerboards since the 1960s — and fine furniture, decorative veneer, panelling and flooring where the hardness, strength and Class 1 durability are all part of what the piece needs
- Turned and carved specialty objects where the harder, stronger Dalbergia is the specification
Choose Shisham Sissoo if…
- General fine furniture and cabinetry where the working properties of Shisham are sufficient and the piece will not see Class 1 durability exposure
- Decorative panelling, decorative carving and turnery, and interior joinery where the same-density, slightly-softer Dalbergia matches the aesthetic preference at a different cost profile
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Indian Rosewood or Shisham Sissoo?
Indian Rosewood — it carries the better EN 350 rating (Class 1 vs Class 2). Lower class numbers mean higher natural durability.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Indian Rosewood — outdoor performance combines decay durability with dimensional stability, and it leads on that combination.
Is Indian Rosewood harder than Shisham Sissoo?
Yes — Janka 2440 lbf vs 1660 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.