Home / Wood Compare / Iroko vs Teak
Professional Comparison · Source-attributed engineering data · Updated 19 July 2026
Iroko VS Teak
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
🥇
Iroko
82/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor💧Moisture Stable
- Better dimensional stability (Excellent vs Moderate)
- Harder wear surface (Janka 1260 vs 1070 lbf)
🥈
Teak
72/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor
- Easier to machine and fasten
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
IrokoTeak
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Iroko |
| Hardness | Iroko |
| Strength (MOR) | Teak |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Teak |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Teak |
| Lightness | Tie |
Engineering data
| Property | Iroko | Teak |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1260WD lbf | 1070WD lbf |
| Density | 0.55FPL g/cm³ | 0.55FPL g/cm³ |
| MOE | 10.1FPL GPa | 10.7FPL GPa |
| MOR | 85.5FPL MPa | 100.0FPL MPa |
| Durability | Class 1 Very Durable | Class 1 Very Durable |
| Stability | Excellent | Moderate |
| Fire (E84) | Class B indicative | Class B indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 2.8WD % | 2.6WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 3.8WD % | 5.3WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.36 | 2.04 |
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 | 🥇 Iroko | ★★★★★ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Iroko | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Iroko | ★★★★☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Iroko | ★★★☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Teak | ★★☆☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Iroko
Advantages relative to Teak
- Janka is 1,260 lbf vs 1,070 lbf, about 18% harder
Limitations relative to Teak
- MOR is 85.5 MPa vs 100 MPa, about 15% lower
Teak
Advantages relative to Iroko
- MOR is 100 MPa vs 85.5 MPa, about 17% higher
Limitations relative to Iroko
- Janka is 1,070 lbf vs 1,260 lbf, about 15% lower
Recommendation
Choose Iroko if…
- Exterior and structural joinery — beams, frames, flooring, parquet, panelling — where the higher dent resistance matters and the shared Class 1 durability and Class B fire class are the baseline
- Boat decks, marine and port work, furniture and truck bodies where the harder natural exterior hardwood is the specification
Choose Teak if…
- Boat decks and marine construction, bridges, docks, quays and floodgates, exterior joinery, doors and cladding where the higher bending strength matters under load and the traditional teak role is the specification
- High-end and garden furniture, flooring and decorative veneer where the documented teak signature use is what the project is specifying
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Iroko or Teak?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 1, Very Durable). For outdoor work the separation is movement, not decay: Iroko moves 3.8% tangentially against 5.3%, which decides board width and fixing spacing more than the durability class does.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Iroko — outdoor performance combines decay durability with dimensional stability, and it leads on that combination.
Is Iroko harder than Teak?
Yes — Janka 1260 lbf vs 1070 lbf.
How we score. Each Library Score is a weighted composite of the verified figures above, expressed as a percentile against our 60-species library. Cost is handled qualitatively, never scored. Full weighting and what it excludes.