Wood Guide · Furniture
Types of Wood for Furniture: Solid Woods, Engineered Boards and Which to Choose
Choosing wood for furniture is really two choices: which solid timber for the parts you see and touch, and which engineered board for the big panels. Teak, sheesham, ash and pine each have a character and a price; plywood, blockboard, MDF and HDHMR each have a job. Here are the main furniture woods with today's timber rates at our Lati Bazar store, how solid wood compares with engineered boards, and how to mix wood finishes so a room looks planned.
Solid Woods for Furniture and Their Prices
Per cubic foot (ghan foot) at our Lati Bazar store, seasoned and cut to size. GST extra.
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| Wood | Price per cft | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burma teak | ₹8,000–9,500 | Golden, oily, very durable and stable | Premium main doors, heirloom furniture |
| Sudan teak | ₹3,000–3,500 | Strong, attractive grain | Doors, frames, beds, dining sets |
| Ghana teak special | ₹2,800–3,000 | Selected Ghana teak, better grain | Doors, frames and furniture |
| Ghana teak | ₹2,200–2,400 | Good teak at a lower price | Frames, furniture, budget teak doors |
| Ivory Coast (CP) teak | ₹1,800–2,500 | Economical teak | Frames and general furniture |
| White ash | ₹3,300–3,600 | Light colour, strong, straight grain | Modern furniture, chairs, tables |
| Meranti | ₹1,300–1,500 | Reddish hardwood, easy to work | Door and window frames, mouldings |
| NZ / German pine | ₹1,200–1,300 | Light, clean softwood | Light furniture, shelving, packing |
| Pine | ₹900–1,000 | Soft, light and economical | Battens, frames, hidden framework |
Other popular furniture woods include sheesham (rosewood-toned, hard, great for carved furniture), sal (heavy and strong, used for frames), mango (economical, for casual furniture) and oak and walnut (mostly as veneer in India). Compare: sheesham vs teak vs sal · types of hardwood · timber price list.
Engineered Boards for Furniture
| Board | 18 mm price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| MR plywood | ₹74 / sq ft | Wardrobes, beds, TV units, most furniture |
| Marine BWP plywood | ₹110 / sq ft | Kitchens, bathrooms, damp areas |
| Blockboard (19 mm MR) | ₹89 / sq ft | Long shelves, tops and tall panels |
| Interior MDF | ₹61.60 / sq ft | Painted, grooved and CNC panels |
| HDHMR | ₹106.87 / sq ft | Humid-room shutters |
Engineered boards are stable, come in big sheets and cost far less than solid timber for large surfaces. See engineered wood vs solid wood · plywood vs MDF vs particle board.
Best Wood for Each Piece of Furniture
Dining and chairs
Teak, sheesham or ash
Solid legs and frames; veneer or laminate tops.
Kitchen
BWP plywood
With laminate; teak veneer only away from water.
Hidden framework
Pine or meranti
Battens, frames and supports.
Mixing Wood Finishes: Do's and Don'ts
Do pick one dominant wood tone for the big pieces (floor or wardrobe wall), then add one or two supporting tones. Do match undertones: warm teak and walnut sit well together; cool ash and grey oak go together. Do repeat each tone at least twice in a room so it looks intentional. Do use a neutral (white, black or a solid colour) to separate two strong woods. Don't put two similar-but-not-matching woods side by side; it looks like a mistake. Don't mix more than three wood tones in one room. Don't mix very busy grains next to each other; pair a bold grain with a calm one. See teak vs walnut and woodgrain laminates.
Buying Solid Wood
Buy seasoned timber, check for straight grain, tight knots and no end cracks, and seal all faces before use. Order a little extra for wastage. Samta Plywood Centre at Lati Bazar, near Gita Mandir, stocks teak, ash, meranti and pine cut to size, alongside plywood and boards. WhatsApp us your cutting list for a timber and board quote with delivery across Ahmedabad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which wood is best for furniture?
Teak is the best all-round solid wood for durability and looks. For large furniture such as wardrobes and beds, MR plywood with laminate or veneer is more stable and far more economical.
What is the price of teak wood in Ahmedabad?
At Samta Plywood Centre, Ghana teak is ₹2,200 to ₹2,400, Sudan teak ₹3,000 to ₹3,500 and Burma teak ₹8,000 to ₹9,500 per cubic foot. GST extra.
Which wood is cheapest for furniture?
Pine at ₹900 to ₹1,000 per cft is the most economical timber at our store; for panels, MR plywood at ₹74 per sq ft (18 mm) is usually the best value.
Is white ash good for furniture?
Yes. White ash is light-coloured, strong and straight-grained, good for modern tables, chairs and furniture.
Is solid wood better than plywood?
Solid wood is best for frames, legs, carving and heirloom pieces. Plywood is better for large flat furniture because it does not warp and costs less.
How do I mix wood finishes in a room?
Choose one dominant tone, add one or two supporting tones with matching undertones, repeat each tone at least twice and use a neutral to separate strong woods.
Which wood is best for door frames?
Teak for premium frames, meranti for value, or WPC frames for bathrooms and damp ground floors.
Choosing Wood for Furniture?
WhatsApp us your cutting list for a timber and board quote.