Teak vs Walnut for Indian Homes

Teak vs Walnut for Indian Homes

Teak vs. Walnut for Indian Homes — Heat, Humidity & Maintenance

Two timeless woods. One Indian climate. Here’s the calm, material-true way to choose between teak and walnut—so your furniture looks exquisite and lives long.

 

At-a-glance comparison (India-first)

Factor

Teak (Tectona grandis)

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Look & aging

Golden to medium brown; darkens with age indoors. Outdoors it weathers silver-grey if uncoated.

Chocolate to coffee brown; lightens with UV over time—keep out of direct sun to preserve depth. 

Hardness (Janka)

~1,070 lbf

~1,010 lbf (both in the same comfort band for tabletops) 

Movement in humidity (shrinkage)

Radial 2.6% / Tangential 5.3% → lower movement, great for monsoon swings

Radial 5.5% / Tangential 7.8% → more movement than teak; manage with finish & construction 

Decay & insects

Heartwood very durable; termite-resistant

Heartwood very durable to decay, but susceptible to insect attack 

Workability & finishing

Oily; can blunt cutters (silica). Wipe with solvent before gluing/finishing; then finishes well.

Easy to machine and finish; glue lines good; typically stained rarely. 

Best use in India

Humid/coastal cities; rooms with open windows; high-use tables

Climate-controlled interiors; media rooms; formal lounges

(Wood swells tangentially more than radially; designing/finishing for humidity is essential in Indian homes.) 

 

 

Material Truth: why teak moves less

Wood moves as its moisture content changes. Teak’s structure and natural oils yield low shrinkage values (≈2.6% radial / 5.3% tangential), translating to smaller seasonal gaps or hairline cracks in table tops. Walnut, while still stable for high-end furniture, has higher shrinkage numbers (≈5.5% / 7.8%), so tight joinery plus film-forming finishes matter more in humid cities like Mumbai, Kochi, or Kolkata.

 

 

Finish & care (what actually works)

Teak (oily hardwood)

  • Prep before finishing: Wipe with solvent (e.g., mineral spirits) to reduce surface oils; then glue/finish. Its silica can blunt tools; keep cutters sharp.

  • Finish choices: Hard-wax oils for a natural look; high-quality polyurethane (water- or oil-based) for better spill resistance on coffee/dining tables. Oil-based polys can amber warmly; water-based stay clearer.

  • Care: Dust weekly; wipe spills promptly; avoid harsh cleaners. Seasonal checks for hairlines—rare with teak, but humidity spikes happen.

Walnut (rich tone, indoor star)

  • Finish choices: Walnut finishes and glues well; a durable polyurethane topcoat is sensible for Indian hosting (chai, snacks). Keep out of strong, direct UV to slow color-lightening.

  • Care: Coasters as habit; mild soap + damp microfiber, then dry. Avoid placing near heat sources or afternoon sun patches.

 

 

Where each shines (use-cases)

  • Teak for everyday Indian living
     Living rooms with open windows/ceiling fans; balconies or rooms adjacent to balconies; coastal humidity; homes with frequent mopping. Termite resistance and low movement mean fewer surprises over time.

  • Walnut for refined, climate-controlled interiors
     Media rooms, formal lounges, bedrooms—spaces with curtains/blinds and stable AC. You’ll enjoy the deep, soothing tone and excellent workmanship—but keep UV gentle to preserve color.

 

 

Buying shortlist (print this)

  1. Match the climate to the material: Humid/coastal → teak; stable/AC interiors → walnut.

  2. Ask for finish details: If you entertain often, choose a durable topcoat; confirm whether it’s oil- or water-based and how to care for it.

  3. Check construction & joinery: Allowance for seasonal movement (breadboard ends, well-seasoned lumber) matters—especially for walnut in humid zones.

  4. Plan placement: Away from direct sun for walnut; fine near windows for teak (still, avoid standing water/condensation).

 

Back to blog