Padouk and wenge are two of the most recognisable African exotic woods, and they could hardly look more different. Padouk glows a vivid orange-red that matures to deep reddish-brown. Wenge is dark chocolate to near black, with fine light streaks. Both are hard, stable and striking, both are popular with furniture makers, instrument builders, flooring companies and turners, and both often end up in the same projects as contrasting accents. Comparing padouk vs wenge helps you choose the right one for each job, or decide how to use them together.
In this guide we compare the two on colour and ageing, hardness, stability, working properties, health and safety, best uses, CITES and legal status, and price. At Global Timber Trade Hub we supply both species from Central Africa, often in the same mixed container.
In short
- Padouk is vivid red-orange, maturing to red-brown; wenge is near black with light streaks.
- Wenge is harder and denser; padouk is easier to work and more stable.
- Padouk suits decks, furniture, turning and guitars; wenge suits floors, furniture and necks.
- Padouk is CITES Appendix II listed; wenge is not, but is IUCN Endangered.
- Padouk starts from about $1,300 and wenge from about $1,600 per m³ FOB.
- Used together, they create dramatic contrast in furniture and flooring.
Quick comparison
| Property | Padouk | Wenge |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Pterocarpus soyauxii | Millettia laurentii |
| Colour | Orange-red, matures to red-brown | Dark brown to near black, light streaks |
| Texture | Medium | Coarse, open |
| Density (dry) | about 700–800 kg/m³ | about 850–900 kg/m³ |
| Hardness | Hard | Very hard |
| Stability | Excellent | Good |
| Outdoor durability | Very durable | Durable |
| CITES | Appendix II | Not listed (IUCN Endangered) |
| From (USD/m³, FOB) | $1,300 | $1,600 |
Colour and how it changes
Padouk is one of the most colourful woods in the world when freshly cut, a bright orange-red that can look almost artificial. With light and air, it deepens within weeks to a rich red and over months to a darker reddish-brown. UV-protective finishes slow the change but cannot stop it. Wenge starts dark brown with lighter tan streaks and darkens to near black; in strong sun it can lighten slightly to a greyer brown. If you want a bold red, choose padouk; if you want dark drama, choose wenge.
Hardness and wear
Wenge is the harder and denser of the two, which gives it excellent wear resistance for floors and stair treads. Padouk is still hard, harder than oak, and wears well on furniture and decks. Wenge’s open grain can show wear differently, so a good finish matters on floors.
Stability
Padouk is one of the most stable hardwoods, moving very little with changes in humidity, which is why it is used for decks, guitar parts and outdoor furniture. Wenge is reasonably stable but moves more than padouk and can check if dried too fast. For wide panels and outdoor use, padouk has the advantage.
Working properties
Padouk machines, turns and sands well, with a medium texture that finishes smoothly. Its fine red dust stains hands, clothes and pale surfaces, so keep work areas clean. Wenge is harder work: it is splintery, its open grain needs filling for a smooth finish and its splinters can become infected, so wear gloves. Both glue reasonably well on fresh surfaces. See our best wood for woodturning guide.
Health and safety
Both species are known to cause skin and respiratory irritation in some people. Use dust extraction, wear a good mask and gloves, and avoid sanding without protection. This is especially important in production settings.
Best uses for padouk
- Premium decks and outdoor furniture.
- Furniture, tables and accent pieces.
- Guitar bodies, necks and tops.
- Turned bowls, pens and knife handles.
- Flooring and borders.
Best uses for wenge
- Flooring and stair treads in modern interiors.
- Furniture, tables and cabinets.
- Guitar and bass necks and fingerboards.
- Wall panelling and feature slats.
- Knife handles and accents.
Using padouk and wenge together
Many designers combine the two for contrast: wenge frames with padouk panels, wenge and padouk stripes in cutting boards and table tops, wenge floors with padouk borders, or guitars with wenge necks and padouk bodies. Because padouk matures to red-brown, the contrast softens over time but remains striking. Buying both in one container is easy and helps fill a load.
CITES and legal status
African padouk is listed on CITES Appendix II, so commercial exports need permits and lead times are longer. Wenge is not CITES listed at the time of writing, but it is rated Endangered by the IUCN and its harvest and export are regulated nationally. Buy both only with full legal origin documents. See our CITES timber species guide.
Price
Padouk starts from about $1,300 per m³ FOB and wenge from about $1,600 for kiln-dried sawn stock. Figured or selected boards cost more. See our padouk wood price and wenge wood price guides.
A worked example for a furniture designer
Consider a furniture designer launching a small collection of dining tables, sideboards and serving boards with a bold, graphic look. The tables have wenge legs and frames with padouk tops, the sideboards have wenge carcasses with padouk drawer fronts, and the serving boards alternate thin strips of both woods. The designer orders a mixed parcel within a container: wenge in 52 and 65 mm for legs and frames, padouk in 32 and 40 mm for tops and fronts, and some 27 mm stock of both for the boards. The padouk comes with its CITES export permit, and both species have full legal origin documents, which the designer shares with retail customers who ask about sourcing. In the workshop, padouk dust is kept away from wenge surfaces during sanding, and both woods are finished with a hard-wax oil with UV filters. The collection photographs beautifully when new and develops a deeper, richer contrast over the following months as the padouk matures. Customers are told in advance how the colours will change.
Flooring with padouk and wenge
Wenge floors give a dark, modern look and wear very well, though they show dust and scratches more than mid-tone floors. Padouk floors are rarer but striking, often used as borders, inlays or feature areas. Both should be kiln dried and acclimatised before laying. See our tropical hardwood flooring guide.
Lead times and payment
Wenge is usually ready to load in 6–9 weeks; padouk takes longer because of CITES permits. For first orders, a letter of credit or deposit with balance against copy documents protects both sides. See our letter of credit for timber guide.
Padouk vs wenge for guitars
Both woods are popular with guitar and bass makers, but for different parts. Wenge is very stiff and hard, with a tight, focused tone, which makes it a favourite for bass necks, multi-piece laminated necks and fingerboards. Its open grain feels textured under the hand when oiled, which some players like. Padouk is lighter and very stable, with a warm, punchy tone, and it is used for bodies, tops, necks and laminates. Its bright red colour makes instruments stand out, although it darkens over time. Many builders combine the two, for example a padouk body with a wenge neck, or laminated necks with stripes of both. For instrument work, ask for quarter-sawn stock, dried to a low moisture content suitable for your workshop, and check each board for straight grain and defects. Padouk needs CITES permits for export; wenge does not at the time of writing, but both should come with legal origin documents. See our African tonewood for guitars guide for more on instrument woods.
Padouk vs wenge for knife handles and turning
For knife handles, wenge gives a dark, grippy handle and padouk a bright, colourful one; both are dense and durable. For turning, padouk is the easier of the two and finishes smoothly, while wenge’s coarse texture suits larger, simpler shapes. See our best wood for knife handles guide.
Finishing padouk and wenge
Padouk takes oils, lacquers and waxes well. A UV-protective oil or lacquer slows its colour change, while a clear oil gives the richest red at first. Wipe the surface with a clean cloth after sanding to remove red dust before applying finish, and avoid wiping it onto neighbouring pale woods. Wenge’s open grain looks textured under oil; for a smooth, glossy finish, use a dark grain filler first, then lacquer. Both woods can contain natural oils that slow some finishes from curing, so test on offcuts. On combined pieces, apply finish carefully at the joint lines, and sand padouk and wenge separately where possible to avoid colour transfer.
Ordering both species
When you send an enquiry, tell us the volumes, thicknesses and grades you need for each species, any figure or colour preferences, and your destination port. We can pack padouk and wenge in clearly labelled separate bundles in the same container, with the CITES permit for padouk and legal origin documents for both. Small buyers can combine them with other species to fill a load.
Common mistakes
- Expecting padouk to stay orange: it matures to red-brown.
- Hand-planing wenge without gloves: painful splinters.
- Cutting padouk near pale surfaces: red dust stains.
- Forgetting CITES for padouk: permits are required.
Our honest advice
Choose padouk for colour, stability and outdoor use, and wenge for dark drama and hardness on floors and furniture. For the most striking results, use them together. Plan CITES permits for padouk, protect yourself from dust with both, and buy only with full legal documents.
Sources
Related guides
- Wenge vs ebony
- Padouk vs purpleheart
- Padouk decking
- Exotic hardwood lumber
- Exotic decorative hardwoods
Frequently asked questions about padouk vs wenge
Which is harder, padouk or wenge?
Wenge is harder and denser; padouk is still hard and more stable.
Is padouk or wenge better for decking?
Padouk, thanks to its stability and outdoor durability.
Is wenge CITES listed?
No, not at the time of writing, but it is IUCN Endangered and regulated nationally.
Can padouk and wenge be used together?
Yes. They create striking contrast in furniture, flooring and instruments.
Get a padouk or wenge price
Send us your species, sizes and quantities through our quote form. We will reply with a price, permit timing and lead time.