Oak is the hardwood most people in Europe and North America know best. It is strong, familiar and beautiful. Iroko is less known to the public, but joiners and boat builders have trusted it for decades. When a project needs durable timber for doors, windows, cladding, garden furniture or worktops, the iroko vs oak question comes up again and again.
In this guide we compare the two on durability, stability, hardness, looks, workability and price, and we explain where each one makes most sense. We supply iroko from Central Africa at Global Timber Trade Hub, and we will be fair to oak where it is the better choice.
In short
- Iroko is more durable outdoors than oak and moves less with humidity.
- Oak is slightly harder on average and has a more familiar look.
- Iroko is golden-brown; oak is pale tan to light brown with visible rays.
- Both contain tannins that stain with iron; use stainless fixings.
- Iroko is often better value for exterior joinery and cladding.
- Oak remains a favourite for indoor floors, furniture and structural frames.
Two very different trees
Iroko (Milicia excelsa and Milicia regia) is a large tree of the African rainforest. In this guide, “oak” means European oak (Quercus robur and Q. petraea) and American white oak (Q. alba), the two oaks most used in joinery. Red oak is less durable and is not considered here for outdoor use.
Iroko vs oak at a glance
| Property | Iroko | European / white oak |
|---|---|---|
| Density at 12% MC | about 640–690 kg/m³ | about 670–750 kg/m³ |
| Janka hardness | about 1,260 lbf | about 1,120–1,360 lbf |
| Natural durability (heartwood) | Very durable | Durable |
| Stability | Good, low movement | Medium movement |
| Colour | Golden to medium brown | Pale tan to light brown |
| Figure | Interlocked, subtle stripe | Straight grain, ray fleck when quartersawn |
| Sapwood | Clearly defined, excluded | Not durable; must be excluded outdoors |
Durability outdoors
Iroko heartwood is rated very durable. Oak heartwood is rated durable. In practice, both can last a long time outdoors, but iroko has the edge in damp, exposed conditions. Oak sapwood is not durable at all and must be carefully excluded from exterior work. Iroko stock is supplied as heartwood, which makes selection simpler.
Stability
Iroko moves less with changes in humidity than oak. For exterior doors, windows and wide cladding boards, that means less cupping, fewer open joints and a longer life for coatings. Oak, especially flatsawn, can move noticeably, which is why oak joinery is often made from quartersawn or laminated stock.
Hardness and strength
Oak is on average slightly harder, especially American white oak. Both are strong enough for furniture, stairs and joinery. Oak has a long tradition in structural frames, beams and timber-frame buildings, where it is often used green. Iroko is used for structural parts in boats and outdoor structures, but oak dominates traditional timber framing.
Looks
Fresh iroko is yellowish and darkens within weeks to a golden-brown, close to teak. Oak is paler, from light tan to light brown, with the characteristic silver ray fleck on quartersawn faces. Outdoors, both weather to silver-grey if left unfinished. Oak may develop dark stains from its tannins in wet conditions; iroko weathers more evenly.
Tannins and staining
Both woods contain tannins that react with iron and steel, creating blue-black stains. Always use stainless steel fixings outdoors and keep steel wool and iron filings away from bare wood. Oak is particularly well known for this reaction, and its tannins can also bleed and stain stonework and paving in the first months after installation.
Workability
- Iroko: interlocked grain can tear out on planing; may contain hard calcium deposits that dull tools; use carbide. Dust can irritate.
- Oak: machines well with straight grain; glues and finishes very well; tannins can affect some finishes and glues.
Both reward sharp tooling and good dust extraction.
Price
Our iroko starts from about $950 per m³ for standard sawn grade, FOB Central Africa. Oak prices have risen strongly in recent years, especially for wide, clear European oak and quartersawn stock. For many exterior joinery and cladding projects, iroko offers similar or better performance at competitive cost. See our African hardwood prices guide.
Which one for which project?
| Project | Our first choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior doors | Iroko | Durability and stability |
| Windows and sills | Iroko | Moves less, very durable |
| Cladding | Iroko | Weathers evenly, less tannin staining |
| Garden furniture | Iroko | Durable, teak-like look |
| Indoor flooring | Oak | Familiar look, wide range of finishes |
| Timber frame buildings | Oak | Tradition, structural use green |
| Kitchen worktops | Either | Iroko for wet areas, oak for classic looks |
Iroko vs oak for worktops
Iroko worktops are popular around sinks because of iroko’s durability and resistance to moisture. Oak worktops are a classic choice and look great, but need more attention around wet areas. Whichever you choose, oil the worktop regularly, wipe up standing water and seal around the sink cut-out carefully.
Iroko vs oak for garden furniture
Iroko garden furniture is durable, stable and teak-like. Oak garden furniture is also used, especially in traditional designs, but it moves more and can split or stain. For benches and tables that stay outside all year, iroko is usually the safer bet. See our guide to the best wood for outdoor furniture.
Sustainability
European and American oak come from managed temperate forests and are widely certified. Iroko comes from managed tropical concessions; it is not CITES listed. We buy iroko only from concessions with valid harvesting permits and send legality and chain-of-custody documents with every shipment. Read more on our sustainability page.
Common mistakes
- Using oak sapwood outdoors: it rots quickly.
- Using steel fixings in either wood: both stain.
- Using red oak outdoors: it is not durable.
- Ignoring movement in wide oak boards: leave room for expansion.
- Judging iroko on fresh colour: it darkens quickly.
How to order iroko
- Tell us the use: doors, windows, cladding, worktops or furniture.
- Give thicknesses, widths and length range.
- State grade and moisture content.
- Give volume and destination port.
Our export process page explains each step.
Iroko vs oak for cladding
Timber cladding has become a key feature of modern architecture. Oak cladding, usually green or air-dried, is popular in Europe for its rustic look, but it moves, can split and may stain surrounding surfaces with tannin run-off in the first year. Iroko cladding, supplied dried and in longer, straighter boards, moves less and weathers more evenly to a silver-grey. It is often chosen for contemporary facades where a calm, uniform look matters. Read our guide to hardwood cladding.
Iroko vs oak for flooring
Indoors, oak is the world’s most popular flooring hardwood, with endless finishes and styles. Iroko floors are less common but give a warm golden-brown look and good stability, especially in rooms with large windows or underfloor heating. If you want a classic, light floor, oak is hard to beat. If you want a warmer, teak-like tone, iroko is a strong option. See our guide to tropical hardwood flooring.
Iroko vs oak for windows
Window makers in the UK and Europe use both woods, but they behave differently in production. Oak makes beautiful heritage windows, but its movement means it is usually laminated or quartersawn, and tannin bleed can affect light paint colours unless a stain-blocking primer is used. Iroko moves less and is supplied as dried heartwood in long lengths, which simplifies production. Its natural oils mean surfaces should be freshly planed before gluing and coating. For natural-finish windows with a warm tone, iroko is an excellent choice; for oak-look heritage work, oak remains the reference. Read our guide to the best wood for window frames.
Maintenance compared
Outdoors, both woods can be left to weather or oiled to keep their colour. Iroko generally needs less attention, because it moves less and weathers evenly. Oak may develop dark tannin stains where water collects and can split more readily as it dries and wets. For coated windows and doors, both need the usual cycle of inspection and recoating every few years, but iroko’s stability often helps coatings last longer. Indoors, both are easy to maintain with the right floor or furniture finish.
Supply and lead times
European oak is widely available through local sawmills, but clear, wide and quartersawn stock can be scarce and expensive. Iroko is imported from Central Africa in container volumes, typically with 4–8 weeks of preparation for kiln-dried stock, plus sea transit. Iroko is not CITES listed, so there is no permit delay. For regular production, we can set up repeat shipments with the same specification each time.
Mixing iroko and oak in one project
Some architects combine the two: oak for indoor floors, stairs and furniture, iroko for exterior doors, windows and cladding. This puts each wood where it performs best. The colours differ, but they can work well together, with oak’s pale tone indoors and iroko’s warm brown outside.
Our honest recommendation
For exterior doors, windows, cladding, garden furniture and wet-area worktops, choose iroko. For traditional timber framing, light indoor floors and classic furniture where a pale oak look is wanted, choose oak. Many joiners stock both and use each where it performs best.
Sources
- Milicia excelsa (iroko) on Wikipedia
- Quercus robur (European oak) on Wikipedia
- CIRAD Tropix for technical data.
Related guides
- Iroko vs teak
- Best wood for exterior doors
- Hardwood cladding
- Best wood for outdoor furniture
- Furniture and joinery hardwoods
Frequently asked questions about iroko vs oak
Is iroko more durable than oak?
Yes. Iroko heartwood is rated very durable; oak heartwood is rated durable.
Is iroko harder than oak?
They are similar. White oak is often slightly harder; iroko is about 1,260 lbf on the Janka scale.
Which is better for exterior doors?
Iroko is usually better because it is more durable and moves less.
Do both stain with iron?
Yes. Use stainless steel fixings for both.
Get a quote for iroko
Send your use, sizes and volume through our quote form. We will reply with a firm price, stock photos and lead time to your port.