Home Teak vs Acacia vs Eucalyptus
Teak vs Acacia vs Eucalyptus
The USDA Wood Handbook rates teak for decay, old growth very resistant and young growth moderately. Patio eucalyptus and acacia rarely name a species; two common plantation ones, rose gum and mangium, are not listed in that table. Both are harder than teak, and rose gum shrinks about twice as much.
Teak vs acacia compared
| Property | Teak | Eucalyptus, e.g. rose gum | Acacia, e.g. mangium |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA decay class | Very resistant old growth, moderately young growth | Not listed in USDA Table 14-1 | Not listed in USDA Table 14-1 |
| Rot resistance, Wood Database | Very durable | Durable to very durable, poor insect resistance | No data |
| Janka hardness | 1,070 lbf | 1,260 lbf | 1,430 lbf |
| Dried weight | 40.9 lb/ft³ | 40 lb/ft³ | 36.5 lb/ft³ |
| Shrinks, green to dry | 7.2% | 15.5% | 10.7% |
| As shipped | Often unfinished: Anderson, Kingsley Bate | Stained and oiled at the factory: Outdoor Interiors | Not published |
Eucalyptus furniture is usually plantation grown and rarely names its species. Lyptus, a Brazilian rose gum hybrid, is rated moderately durable and shrinks 21 percent. “Acacia” covers close to 1,000 species.
Durability outdoors
Hardness is not the question outdoors; rot and movement are. Teak heartwood holds oils and waxes that keep water out, per the USDA, and shrinks about half as much as rose gum, so it opens fewer cracks as it wets and dries. For mangium, a common plantation acacia, the Wood Database has no rot data: missing data, not proof it fails.
Every one of our teak shower benches, teak benches, teak rocking chairs and teak loungers is solid teak, none acacia or eucalyptus.
Care by wood
- Teak
- No finish needed; mild detergent 2 to 3 times a year; a sealer once a year for the golden color
- Eucalyptus
- Outdoor Interiors says its eucalyptus needs yearly maintenance or it will gray, crack and split
- Acacia
- Star brite lists acacia among the woods its golden teak oil is for
Price and warranty
We sell teak only, so we quote teak: our dining sets run $1,300 to $8,800, from $475 to $1,100 a seat. Outdoor Interiors, a brand that sells both woods, warranties eucalyptus for 1 year and teak for 3.
Which wood to buy
- Uncovered, all year
- Teak heartwood: rated for decay by the USDA, and it shrinks least of the three examples here
- Covered porch, a few seasons
- Eucalyptus or acacia with a yearly finish
- Warm and humid
- The USDA notes decay ratings run lower in warm, humid climates, which favors the most resistant heartwood
Sources USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Wood Handbook, The Wood Database, teak, The Wood Database, rose gum, The Wood Database, Lyptus, The Wood Database, mangium, The Wood Database, acacia, Outdoor Interiors FAQ, Outdoor Interiors care, Star brite Premium Golden Teak Oil, Anderson Teak FAQ, Kingsley Bate FAQ. Checked October 5, 2026.
Short answers
Teak vs acacia questions
The long ones go to help@teakpatiostore.com.
Is acacia as good as teak for outdoor furniture
Mangium, a common plantation acacia, is harder, 1,430 lbf against 1,070 for teak. Its decay resistance is simply not documented: the USDA table does not list it and the Wood Database has no rot data. Teak is rated, and shrinks less.
How long does eucalyptus furniture last outside
No authority publishes years. Rose gum is rated durable to very durable with poor insect resistance and shrinks about twice as much as teak, so expect more checking without a yearly finish.
Which is better, teak or eucalyptus
For furniture left out in all weather, teak is the documented choice: rated for decay, stable, no finish needed. Rose gum eucalyptus is harder and rated durable by the Wood Database, but shrinks about twice as much, and a brand that sells both says its eucalyptus needs yearly maintenance.
Can you use teak oil on acacia
Yes. Star brite lists acacia among the woods its Premium Golden Teak Oil is made for.
Solid teak we carry
Seats 4
Windsor 5-Piece Teak Set$3,650Square teak table with four sculpted armchairs, sized for a patio corner.
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Seats 4
Classic Teak Bench, 6 ft$1,650Contoured 6 ft teak bench with a curved back, heavy enough for public parks.
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Chair
Classic Teak Armchair$550Sculpted-seat teak armchair that weathers to silver or stays golden with oil.
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Lounger
Brianna Teak Lounger$1,650Anderson top-selling lounger, reclines flat and rolls on teak wheels.
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