Wenge VS Jarrah
- Stronger in bending (MOR 151.7 vs 112.0 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) | Wenge |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Wenge |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Tie |
| Lightness | Tie |
Engineering data
| Property | Wenge | Jarrah |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1930WD lbf | 1910WD lbf |
| Density | 0.8WD g/cm³ | 0.82FPL g/cm³ |
| MOE | 17.6WD GPa | 13.0FPL GPa |
| MOR | 151.7WD MPa | 112.0FPL MPa |
| Durability | Class 1 Very Durable | Class 1 Very Durable |
| Stability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Fire (E84) | Class B indicative | Class B indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 4.8WD % | 4.6WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 8.1WD % | 6.6WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.69 | 1.43 |
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 | 🥇 Wenge | ★★★★★ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Wenge | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Wenge | ★★★★☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Jarrah | ★★★☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Wenge | ★★★★☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Wenge
Advantages relative to Jarrah
- MOR is 151.7 MPa vs 112 MPa, about 35% higher
- MOE is 17.6 GPa vs 13.0 GPa, about 35% higher
Limitations relative to Jarrah
Jarrah
Advantages relative to Wenge
Limitations relative to Wenge
- MOR is 112 MPa vs 151.7 MPa, about 26% lower
- MOE is 13.0 GPa vs 17.6 GPa, about 26% lower
Recommendation
Choose Wenge if…
- Strip and parquet flooring (often as a dark accent against lighter timber), high-end furniture and cabinetry, decorative veneer and panelling where the higher bending strength and stiffness matter in specification and the shared Class 1 durability and Class B fire class are the baseline
- Musical instruments (guitar necks, fingerboards, bodies), joinery, turned objects and sporting goods where the documented wenge role is what the project is specifying
Choose Jarrah if…
- Heavy engineering (wharves, bridges, railway sleepers, poles, piles), structural framing, flooring, decking and cladding where the shared Class 1 durability is what the exterior exposure needs and the working properties are sufficient
- High-quality indoor and weatherproof outdoor furniture, turnery, joinery, parquetry, marine structures and boatbuilding where the documented jarrah role is what the project is specifying
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Wenge or Jarrah?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 1, Very Durable). For outdoor work the separation is movement, not decay: Jarrah moves 6.6% tangentially against 8.1%, 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 1, and tangential movement runs 8.1% for Wenge against 6.6% for Jarrah — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and Jarrah holds its dimension marginally better. Hardness is effectively level (1,930 vs 1,910 lbf), so choose on supply, length and price.
Is Wenge harder than Jarrah?
Yes — Janka 1930 lbf vs 1910 lbf.