Comparison · Wood vs Plywood
Teak Wood vs Plywood
Teak is the most prized wood in Indian homes, but it is not the right material for every piece. We sell both, so here is an honest comparison with our own rates converted to the same unit, worked costs for a wardrobe and a main door, and which to use where.
The Short Answer
Use solid teak where its strengths show: door and window frames, the main door, carved work, and furniture edges you want to plane and re-polish for decades. Use plywood for everything flat and large: wardrobes, kitchens, beds, TV units and shelving, finished in laminate or teak veneer. Plywood is far cheaper per square foot, and because its layers are cross-laminated it stays flat in a way that wide solid-wood panels do not.
We sell both from the same Lati Bazar counter: Burma, Sudan and Ghana teak by the cubic foot, and plywood by the square foot. So this comparison uses our own rates, converted to the same unit so you can see the real gap.
Teak vs Plywood Price per Sq Ft at 18 mm
Teak is sold per cubic foot. One sq ft of 18 mm board is 0.059 cft, so we multiply. Timber figures exclude cutting wastage, which adds 15–30%. GST extra.
| Material | Our rate | Per sq ft at 18 mm |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana teak | ₹2,200–2,400 / cft | ₹130–142 |
| Sudan teak | ₹3,000–3,500 / cft | ₹177–207 |
| Burma teak | ₹8,000–9,500 / cft | ₹472–561 |
| Commercial plywood | ₹65 / sq ft | ₹65 |
| MR plywood | ₹74 / sq ft | ₹74 |
| Marine BWP plywood | ₹110 / sq ft | ₹110 |
Even the most affordable teak costs about twice as much as MR plywood for the same panel, and Burma teak costs six to seven times as much. Rates: timber price list and plywood price list.
A 6 × 7 ft Wardrobe: Teak vs Plywood
Carcass, shelves and shutters, about 192 sq ft of 18 mm board (6 sheets). Material only, before wastage, finish and labour.
| Material | Quantity | Material cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana teak, 18 mm | 11.3 cft | ₹24,945–27,213 |
| Sudan teak, 18 mm | 11.3 cft | ₹34,016–39,685 |
| Burma teak, 18 mm | 11.3 cft | ₹90,709–1,07,717 |
| MR plywood, 18 mm | 6 sheets | ₹14,208 |
A 7 × 3.5 ft Main Door Shutter
A plain 35 mm shutter. Timber only for solid teak, before carving, joinery and polish; the flush door is ready to finish.
| Shutter | Quantity | Material cost |
|---|---|---|
| Solid Ghana teak shutter | 3.5 cft incl. 25% wastage | ₹7,737–8,440 |
| Solid Sudan teak shutter | 3.5 cft incl. 25% wastage | ₹10,550–12,308 |
| Solid Burma teak shutter | 3.5 cft incl. 25% wastage | ₹28,133–33,408 |
| 35 mm BWP flush door | 24.5 sq ft at ₹152 | ₹3,724 |
The popular middle path: a solid teak frame with a 35 mm BWP flush door finished in teak veneer. See best wood for main door and teak wood door designs.
Teak Wood vs Plywood Compared
| Factor | Solid teak | Plywood |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | Moves across the grain with humidity; wide panels can cup or split | Cross-laminated layers stay flat; ideal for large panels |
| Strength | Excellent in frames and joinery | Excellent screw holding and uniform strength in every direction |
| Termites & water | Natural oils resist both, especially Burma teak | Depends on grade: treated MR for dry rooms, BWP for wet areas |
| Sizes | Limited by log width; panels are glued from planks | 8 × 4 ft sheets, 4–25 mm, ready to cut |
| Finish | Polish shows the real grain | Laminate, veneer, paint or PU |
| Repair | Can be planed and re-polished many times | Edges need banding; damaged faces are replaced |
| Resale feel | Prestige; heirloom pieces | Modern, modular, practical |
Which to Use for Each Piece
Teak
Main door (if budget allows)
Burma or Sudan teak for exposed doors; otherwise a teak-veneered BWP flush door.
Teak
Carved and turned work
Pooja mandirs, carved legs, railings. Plywood can't be carved.
Both
Beds and tables
Plywood box with teak legs or teak lipping on the edges; teak veneer on top. Box bed designs.
The Best of Both: Teak Look on Plywood
If you love teak's colour and grain but not its price, use plywood with a teak veneer face and solid teak lipping on the visible edges. You get real teak where the eye goes, a flat and stable panel underneath, and a fraction of the cost. A teak-woodgrain laminate is the budget version: no polish, wipe-clean, and good in kitchens and kids' rooms. Compare the options in veneer vs solid wood, natural veneer vs teak veneer and woodgrain laminates.
Which teak?
Burma teak is the benchmark: dense, oily, very stable, and priced at ₹8,000–9,500 per cft. Sudan teak is the best value for exposed work. Ghana teak, at ₹2,200–2,400, is our most practical teak for frames and everyday furniture. Each has its own page: Burma teak, Sudan teak and Ghana teak. For other species, see sheesham vs teak vs sal and plywood vs solid wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is teak wood better than plywood?
For frames, main doors and carved work, yes: teak is durable and naturally resists termites and water. For large flat furniture such as wardrobes and kitchens, plywood is better because it stays flat and costs far less.
What is the price of teak wood compared to plywood?
At our rates, Ghana teak costs ₹2,200–2,400 per cubic foot, which is about ₹130 per sq ft at 18 mm before wastage. MR plywood is ₹74 per sq ft at 18 mm and commercial plywood ₹65.
Is a teak wood wardrobe worth it?
Rarely. The board for a 6 × 7 ft wardrobe costs about ₹14,208 in 18 mm MR plywood, against ₹24,945–27,213 in Ghana teak and over ₹90,000 in Burma teak, and wide solid panels can cup. Plywood with teak veneer gives the look for much less.
Can I get a teak look with plywood?
Yes: plywood with a teak veneer face and solid teak lipping on the edges, or a teak woodgrain laminate for a no-polish finish.
Which is more termite-resistant, teak or plywood?
Teak, especially Burma teak, naturally resists termites through its oils. Branded plywood is treated against borer and termites, and BWP grades also resist water.
Do you sell both teak and plywood?
Yes. Samta Plywood Centre stocks Burma, Sudan and Ghana teak, meranti, pine and white ash by the cubic foot, and commercial, MR, marine and birch plywood by the square foot.
Deciding Between Teak and Plywood?
Tell us the item and size. We will price both so you can see the gap.