Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo)
Sheesham is the dark hardwood North India is known for. It is dense and hard, with a deep brown tone and darker streaks through the grain, so no two boards look identical.
It seasons well and makes strong, stiff frames at a lower price than teak. Because the wood is naturally dark, it takes only dark shades of polish, so we recommend it for plain or lightly carved pieces where a deep brown finish is wanted.
Teak (Tectona grandis)
Teak is our first choice for carved work and for export orders. It carves cleanly, the chisel leaves crisp detail, and carved surfaces finish smoother than on sheesham. It takes any polish, from a pale natural finish to deep walnut. Its high natural oil content makes it unusually resistant to water, insects and warping, which is why it has been the traditional wood for furniture meant to last generations.
Fresh teak is a warm golden brown that deepens with age. Left outdoors and unfinished it weathers to a soft silver grey. For dining tables, beds and outdoor seating that need to take daily use, teak is hard to better.
Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)
Indian rosewood is the darkest and most dramatic of the hardwoods we offer. It is dense and fine grained, with deep brown to purple-brown tones and pronounced figure, and it polishes to a rich, almost luminous finish.
Because it is heavy and striking, it suits statement pieces: a centre table, a console, a bar cabinet or a bed where you want the wood to be the focal point of the room.
Mango (Mangifera indica)
Mango wood is prized for being both beautiful and sustainable. It is milled from orchard trees that have finished their fruit-bearing life, so it puts a tree that would otherwise be cleared to good use.
It is a medium-density hardwood in light to mid brown tones, often with darker streaks and lively natural variation. It works and finishes cleanly and sits at a friendlier price point, which makes it a favourite for sideboards, shelving and everyday cabinets.
Acacia
Acacia is a hard, dense and durable hardwood with a warm, varied grain that ranges from honey to deep brown within a single board. Its tight grain and natural water resistance make it hard-wearing in daily use.
It is a good choice for dining tables, benches and pieces that need to shrug off knocks while keeping a rich, characterful surface.
Choosing the right wood for your piece
There is no single best wood, only the right wood for the piece, the room and the budget. As a rough guide: teak for carved work, export orders and any polish shade; sheesham for strong pieces in dark finishes; Indian rosewood for statement pieces; mango and acacia for warm, characterful everyday pieces at a gentler price.
Because we build to order, you are not limited to a catalogue finish. Tell us the piece you have in mind and we will talk through which wood, finish and dimensions suit it best before anything is made.
Related questions
- Which is better: teak, sheesham, or mango wood?
Teak (saagwan) is the most durable and moisture-resistant, the best choice for heirloom pieces and humid climates, at the highest price. Sheesham (Indian rosewood) offers rich, dramatic grain and excellent strength at a mid-range price. Mango wood is sustainable, sturdy, and the most affordable, ideal for accent pieces and tighter budgets.
There is no single "best", it depends on the piece, the room, and the budget. A dining table that will seat three generations argues for teak; a striking TV cabinet shows off sheesham’s grain; a guest-room side table is a perfect use of mango. We’ll recommend honestly for your specific piece.
- Do you use MDF, plywood, or engineered wood?
No. Every Woodstocks piece is built entirely in solid wood, teak, sheesham, or mango, with traditional joinery. We have never used MDF, particleboard, or veneer-over-board construction, and we never will. It is the founding rule of the workshop.
Solid wood costs more and takes longer, but it can be repaired, re-finished, and re-jointed for generations. MDF furniture, once damaged by moisture or a broken joint, is finished. That longevity is the whole point of building only in solid hardwood.
- Why is Saharanpur famous for wooden furniture?
Saharanpur, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the world’s oldest wood-carving centres, with a craft tradition spanning several centuries. The city is known for intricate hand-carved hardwood work, and generations of families, including ours, have trained at the bench here.
Our master craftspeople have decades of experience each.