Home / Wood Compare / Iroko vs Teak
Professional Comparison · Verified 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
- Rated for exterior exposure (EN 350 Class 1)
- Very low movement in service
Limitations
- Few practical drawbacks within its intended uses
Teak
Advantages
- Rated for exterior exposure (EN 350 Class 1)
Limitations
- Noticeable seasonal movement — allow for it in design
Recommendation
Choose Iroko if…
- You need minimal movement (doors, decking, panelling)
- The surface takes traffic or impact
Choose Teak if…
- Ease of working and fastening matters
- Its profile matches the application better than a single overall score
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Iroko or Teak?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 1, Very Durable). For outdoor decisions between them, weigh dimensional stability and hardness instead.
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 wood gets a weighted composite of the verified figures shown above: durability 22%, stability 18%, hardness 12%, bending strength 12%, machining ease 12%, stiffness 8%, flame spread 8%, lightness 8%. The Library Score is that composite's percentile rank within our 60-species library — 50 means the library median, 90 means it outperforms nine of every ten species we cover. No price data is scored — cost guidance is qualitative. The score summarises the data; it does not replace judgement about your specific application.