If you are working on a project where you need to make a decision between acacia and Sheesham wood, then it’s important to understand the differences between these two kinds of wood. That is the goal of this article, to help you decide which wood to use for your next project.
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Acacia Vs Sheesham
Acacia and Sheesham are two exotic species of hardwood that are used by crafters to make a wide variety of products. Both kinds of wood have become highly valued in the industry due to their many different uses, beautiful grain patterns, and unique characteristics. They do however differ significantly based on their appearance, durability, origin, and handling qualities. Let us know the difference between the two types.
Origin:
Acacia wood comes from acacia trees native to Africa, while Sheesham wood comes from a tree native to Asia. Sheesham is also called Indian rosewood. Acacia trees are hardy, waxy, and can survive in conditions with high heat and low water availability. They also grow quickly. Sheesham trees are drought-tolerant even when there is little water availability.
Appearance:
The most obvious difference between the two kinds of wood is the visual appearance.
Color: Acacia wood is usually honey-colored with dark streaks. Sheesham wood typically has a reddish or golden brown color with darker streaks. Acacia has a light brown hue with a yellow shade, and it has distinctive darker streaks on it. On the other hand, Sheesham has a golden-brown color with dark streaks.
Texture and grain pattern: Acacia has a more even, consistent color, whereas Sheesham has a more varied grain. Acacia has a more uniform appearance while Sheesham has a more exotic look with swirls and waves in the grain pattern.
Acacia wood has an attractive grain pattern, and it is generally straight-grained. Sheesham wood grain pattern varies depending on the species of tree and the way it was cut. Some species have straight grain while others have interlocked grain; this refers to the way the grain lines in a piece of wood appear to twist around each other instead of remaining parallel to one another.
Cost:
The main difference between the two kinds of wood is the cost. Acacia wood is generally cheaper than Sheesham wood. This is because acacia wood grows in more places around the world and is easier to harvest and produce. Acacia wood is often less expensive than Sheesham, but it’s not always the case. The difference in cost generally depends on the specific type of wood used to make the furniture and the amount of work needed to create each piece. Furniture made from Acacia costs more than that made from Sheesham because it takes a great deal of effort to make each piece.
Growth Time:
Sheesham wood is a very slow-growing and dense hardwood that is native to India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Its growth cycle begins as a seedling for 4 to 5 years until it reaches about 20 feet tall. At this point, it begins to produce flowers. The tree can reach up to 40 feet in height and its trunk can grow up to 4 feet in diameter at maturity within 40 years.
However, Acacia wood is very fast growing with a growth cycle of only 1 to 2 years for a tree between 10 and 15 feet tall. As with Sheesham, Acacia flowers are produced when the tree reaches about 20 feet tall. The Acacia tree grows much larger than the Sheesham tree with heights reaching up to 100 feet with trunks reaching up to 3 feet in diameter at full maturity within 20 years.
Density:
Both Sheesham and acacia are dense hardwoods, but acacia is slightly less dense and more stable. Because of this, acacia is a bit easier to machine, stain, and finish than Sheesham. Sheesham wood tends to be denser than acacia wood because it has more rings per inch than acacia wood does. Because of this, Sheesham wood may be more difficult to work with when crafting furniture pieces. It’s generally more rigid than acacia wood because there’s less space between its rings per inch than there is with acacia.
Hardness and Durability:
Acacia wood is the hardest of these two kinds of wood, while Sheesham wood is harder than pine. Acacia wood is often used for butcher blocks, high-end cutting boards, and other kitchen items because it’s not only beautiful but also extremely durable. Acacia wood is exceptionally durable; in fact, it’s so durable that it’s often used for products such as ax handles and other tools. Acacia wood is much harder than Sheesham wood with a Janka hardness rating of 2345 lbs. Like Acacia wood, Sheesham is a very durable wood that can last for years if properly cared for. It has a Janka hardness rating of 1820 lbs making it slightly softer than Acacia wood
Resistancy:
Acacia wood is resistant to water while Sheesham wood is not resistant to water. Acacia is naturally resistant to water due to its high oil and wax content which makes it great for use in kitchens or bathrooms. The acacia wood is more durable than the Sheesham tree. Therefore, acacia wood has higher durability and resistance to pests, such as termites.
Uses:
Acacia is primarily used for furniture and cabinetry but it is also used for flooring, veneers, boat building, and paneling. Sheesham wood is commonly used in furniture and cabinetry making, but it can also be used for carving, turnery, flooring, paneling, musical instruments, sports goods, and railway sleepers.
Conclusion
From the above comparison, we can easily conclude that both these kinds of wood are important and needful for our everyday life. Both have varieties of uses. Acacia wood is found in Central America, Australia, etc. It is used in cabinets, floors, furniture, paneling, and so on. Sheesham wood is found in Bangladesh India Thailand Vietnam Indonesia Iran Malaysia etc. It is used in furniture, marquetry work, and so on. But still, acacia is better than Sheesham because it has more stability in hardness and price as well.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Acacia good quality wood?
Yes, Acacia wood is known as a high-quality material because of its durability and strength even though it’s not as strong as some other types like teak or oak but still has enough character to make beautiful pieces.
What’s the difference between Acacia and Sheesham?
Sheesham is from India, while Acacia is a tropical hardwood that grows across Asia and Australia. They both have a similar grain pattern, but Acacia has a much greater variation in color and grain. Some may even have distinctive mineral streaks. The wood is also very solid, so it does not warp or crack easily.
What color difference is there in acacia wood and Sheesham wood?
Acacia wood has a rich honey color that can range from yellow to orange to even dark brown tones with black streaks through it. On the other hand, Sheesham wood colors range from tan/brown to reddish-brown with darker streaks. It often has dark brown knots that are visible on both sides of the wood.
