Wood types compared: mango, suar, teak, oak and acacia
At Mokana you will mainly come across five wood types. Mango wood is versatile and warm, suar wood gives large live-edge tops, teak can also go outdoors, oak is hard and hard-wearing, and acacia stands out for its lively grain. Below you can compare them and find the furniture for each. Further down are the wood colours from Koopmans and PMP Furniture.
Wood types at a glance
Hardness is a rough indication. Wood is a natural product, and the finish also determines how a piece looks over time.
| Wood type | Character | Hardness (approx.) | Indoors or outdoors | Care | At Mokana |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mango wood | Warm, lively grain | Medium hard | Indoors | Low, with a product that suits the finish | Dining tables, coffee tables, sideboards, TV units |
| Suar wood | Large tops, natural edge, strongly varied figure | Moderately hard, softer than oak | Indoors | Medium: watch for dryness, heat and sun | Live-edge tables, coffee tables, consoles |
| Teak | Oil-rich, warm golden brown | Medium hard | Indoors and outdoors | Low; outdoors it greys without treatment | Coffee tables, TV units, garden tables |
| Oak | Distinct grain, takes colour well | Hard | Indoors | Low when lacquered, periodic when oiled | Dining tables, Koopmans table tops |
| Acacia | Lively grain, light and dark mixed | Hard, varies by species | Indoors | Low, use coasters | Tables, coffee tables, sideboards, wall cabinets |
Mango wood
Mango wood is a fast-growing tropical hardwood with a warm, lively grain. It is the wood you will find most often at Mokana. A colour name says nothing about the wood type: natural, sand, brown, black or walnut are finishes of the same wood on mango furniture.
What is it used for?
Dining tables, coffee tables, sideboards, TV units and complete furniture ranges for indoor use.
Care
Dust with a dry or slightly damp cloth, wipe up moisture straight away and use coasters. Only use a care product that suits the finish; for many mango wood pieces it is listed in the product specifications.
Suar wood
Suar wood, also known as monkeypod, is a tropical wood widely used for live-edge tables. The trunks are wide, which makes large tops with a natural edge possible. The figure varies strongly from light to dark, so no two tops are alike.
What is it used for?
Live-edge dining tables, coffee tables and consoles: pieces where the top takes centre stage.
Care
A large solid top moves with the humidity. Do not place the table right next to a heater or in harsh sunlight, use coasters and clean with a slightly damp cloth. Otherwise follow the care advice for the table's finish.
Teak
Teak is naturally rich in oil. That makes it resistant to moisture, and it has long been widely used outdoors. Indoors, teak stands out for its warm, golden brown colour. Teak root wood, by contrast, has an irregular, sculptural shape.
What is it used for?
Coffee tables, TV units and cabinets for indoors, and garden tables for outdoors.
Care
Outdoors, untreated teak turns silver grey over time. To keep the warm colour, treat it periodically with a teak care product. Indoors, dusting and the care advice for the finish are enough.
Oak
Oak is a hard, hard-wearing wood with a distinct grain. It is a classic choice for table tops in daily use. Oak takes stain and lacquer well, so it comes in many colours, from light natural to dark.
What is it used for?
Dining tables and table tops, such as the solid oak tops from Koopmans, and wooden legs of chairs and armchairs.
Care
Clean lacquered oak with a slightly damp cloth. Oiled oak needs fresh oil now and then; follow the manufacturer's advice. Do not put hot pans directly on the top.
Acacia
Acacia is a hardwood with a lively grain and clear differences between light and dark wood. It is often used for live-edge table tops, coffee tables and wall furniture, and is also available with a black finish.
What is it used for?
Dining tables, coffee tables, side tables, sideboards and wall cabinets for indoor use.
Care
Clean with a slightly damp cloth and dry afterwards. Use coasters and keep the piece away from direct heat. An oiled top needs fresh oil now and then, following the manufacturer's advice.
Koopmans & PMP Furniture
Wood colours and samples for tables and chairs
With Koopmans and PMP Furniture you choose the wood type and colour yourself. Solid wood lives and ages with you. HPL is more even and easier to look after. Availability always depends on the furniture model.
Massief eiken
KoopmansPMP Furniture- Sterk Europees hardhout met een zichtbare nerf en natuurlijke variatie. Noesten, kleurnuances en lichte werking horen bij echt hout.
- Suitable forKoopmans tafelbladen en houten poten van geselecteerde PMP modellen
Massief noten
Koopmans- Donker, warm hardhout met een levendige tekening. Koopmans levert geselecteerde tafelbladen in massief noten.
- Suitable forGeselecteerde Koopmans eettafels met metalen onderstel
Massief beuken
PMP Furniture- Fijn generfd hardhout met een rustige uitstraling. Beuken laat zich gelijkmatig kleuren en wordt veel gebruikt voor stoelpoten.
- Suitable forHouten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
HPL
Koopmans- Een sterke, onderhoudsvriendelijke toplaag op plaatmateriaal. HPL is slijtvast, kleurvast en praktisch voor intensief gebruikte tafels.
- Suitable forGeselecteerde Koopmans tafelbladen
Koopmans
Oak colours for Koopmans tables
These stains and lacquers belong to the Koopmans collection for solid oak table tops. They do not automatically apply to furniture from PMP Furniture.
Japandi
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM029
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM028
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM027
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM054
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
Smokey white
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM371
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM171
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM411
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM421
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
Gerookt
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM281
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM331
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM341
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM381
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM391
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM401
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM431
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM006
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM016
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM019
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM020
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM021
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM024
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
KM026
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
Oud wit
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM121
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
CBM261
Eiken tafelbladen van Koopmans
Voor Koopmans
PMP Furniture
Wood colours for PMP furniture legs
PMP supplies selected dining chair and armchair models with legs in beech or oak. Which colour is possible differs per model.
Beuken zwart
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Beuken koloniaal
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Cinnamon
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Grizzly
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Eiken zwart
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Eiken hertbruin
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Eiken dusk
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Eiken muisgrijs
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Eiken naturel wit
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Eiken outdoor
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Eiken toscane antiek
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Eiken walnoot
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Eiken wenge
Houten poten van geselecteerde PMP stoelen en fauteuils
Voor PMP Furniture
Frequently asked questions about wood types
What is the difference between mango wood, oak and teak?+
Mango wood is a fast-growing tropical hardwood with a warm, lively grain; at Mokana you mainly find it in tables, sideboards and TV units. Oak is harder and more hard-wearing, has a distinct grain and takes stain well, so it comes in many colours. Teak is naturally rich in oil and therefore resists moisture well; of the three it has traditionally been used outdoors the most.
Which wood is best for a dining table?+
For a table in intensive daily use, oak is a safe choice thanks to its hardness and durability. Mango wood is also widely used for dining tables and gives a warmer, livelier look. If you want a large top with a natural edge, look at suar wood or a live-edge acacia top. Also consider the finish: a lacquered top is easier to keep clean than an oiled one.
Which wood is suitable for outdoors?+
Of the wood types on this page, teak is the classic choice for outdoors because it is naturally rich in oil. Only use furniture outside that is made for it, such as the teak garden tables in the outdoor collection. Whether a piece can stand outside is stated in the product information; furniture from the indoor categories is made for indoor use.
How do I look after solid wood furniture?+
Dust with a dry or slightly damp cloth, wipe up spills straight away and use coasters under hot pans and glasses. Do not place the piece right next to a heater or in harsh sunlight, because solid wood moves with the humidity. Only use a product that suits the finish: a lacquered piece needs no oil, an oiled piece does now and then.
Is mango wood sustainable?+
Mango wood often comes from fruit plantation trees that are felled after their productive years, and the mango tree grows quickly. That makes it a widely used wood for furniture. A label such as FSC differs per manufacturer and product. If it is not stated in the product information, just ask us.
Are there colour differences between pieces of the same wood?+
Yes. Wood is a natural product: grain, knots and colour differ from tree to tree and even from board to board. The finish matters a lot too. Natural, sand, brown, black or walnut are finish colours on mango wood, not a different wood type. So check the product photos per version, or compare the real samples in our showroom in Enschede.