Fascinated with Mahogany and cherry wood beauty? And you want to add it to your house project. But you do not know which is better: Mahogany or Cherry?
No worries.
Get all details regarding Mahogany vs Cherry, their uses, durability and maintenance, cost and availability, major difference, and much more.
All About Cherry & Mahogany Wood
Reddish brown colored with golden luster cherry wood is obtained from the cherry tree. Cherrywood belongs to the Prunus genus of trees.
Cherry wood turns darker and richer over time with the final popular shade of red-brown color, which is pale in the beginning while cutting the wood.
Mahogany is a tropical hardwood with plain and straight grain and a smooth texture. The pink color of the wood surface changes to reddish-brown with time. It is local to the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Cherry wood is more expensive than Mahogany, and Cherry comes with a more smooth surface. Mahogany has a higher density than cherry.
Additionally, Mahogany is preferred for beginners.
Mahogany Vs Cherry: Visual Differences
How would you recognize cherry and Mahogany wood?
Their appearance is the best way to know the difference at first glance.
Fine and even grain with dark wavy streaks and red hue on the cherry surface. The softer grain of cherry wood is more separated than Mahogany.
On the contrary, the uniform grain of Mahogany ranges from fine to rough. Sometimes, straight-grained Mahogany has interlocked points on the surface like blisters or mottles.
It has purple shades with dark lines on the grain. The most eye-catching part of Mahogany is its attractive grain.
Though various trees are sources of Mahogany, the real Mahogany is obtained from three species of trees: the S. humilis Zucc, S. macrophylla King, and Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq.
Mahogany Vs Cherry: Durability & Maintenance
A cherry tree is a strong, stable, and durable wood. That remains for years. In the case of a healthy cherry tree that goes up to 100 years and beyond.
- Cherry wood is comparatively softer than other hardwoods.
- Cherry wood is quick to soak in a stain or a glaze.
On the other hand, Mahogany is a strong wood that promises longevity.
- The life duration of Mahogany is 20 to 25 years which can extend to more than 40 years if overlooked regularly.
- Harder and denser wood.
- Fewer chances of warping and denting.
- Effortless to cut and stand.
Different factors which determine wood durability:
- Maintenance
- Uses
- Species
Cherry Wood Maintenance
- Clean the cherry wood interior with a cloth piece dipped in soap water.
- Use oil soap to clean and maintain cherry wood kitchen cabinets. This way, you can check for any leakage and moisture in cabinets.
Mahogany Wood Maintenance
- Dust the Mahogany wood daily. Use a wet rag to dissipate stains. For any hard stain, use a mixture of soap and warm water.
- Avoid aggressive cleaners and waxing the cabinets which can lead to discoloration and the appearance of yellow gluey.
- Concluding, use warm water free from cleansers to clean mahogany wood cabinets.
- Paint and Polish both types of wood to enhance their life span. Shield the wood surfaces to protect them from environmental components like dust, UV rays, and wetness.
Mahogany Vs Cherry: Cost & Availability
Mahogany vs cherry price? Which is more costly?
Cherrywood is high-priced hardwood in America compared with Mahogany. Actual cherry wood is the most expensive wood in the USA.
The reason for the more expensive cherry wood is its enlarged consumption for furniture in the USA and Canada. It is a versatile wood with aesthetic beauty and stableness.
Cherrywood prices vary from $7 to $8 per board foot. Unfinished Mahogany prices are $6 to $30 per board foot.
Cherrywood is commonly available in Asia and Europe, whereas Mahogany is found in Central South America and Southern Mexico.
Mahogany Vs Cherry: Uses
Check out the curated common uses for Mahogany and cherry:
1. Furniture:
Both Mahogany and Cherry wood are used for making furniture. The appealing grain patterns of cherry and the durability of Mahogany are the reasons to choose them for furniture.
2. Cabinetry:
Cherry is more broadly used for cabinets than Mahogany, which is particularly preferred in high-end kitchens. However, both types of wood are good choices for cabinetry purposes.
3. Musical Instruments:
Because of their rich and warm sound, both blocks of wood are used to make a variety of musical instruments.
4. Interior Applications:
Both types of wood are suitable for interior applications since they repel rot and decay.
In brief, your choice depends upon your projects’ needs. For prettiness, you can go for cherry wood. Choose Mahogany regarding durability.
Cherrywood Uses
Here is the classification of Mahogany and cherry wood uses per specific project requirements.
1. Cabinetry Uses:
Cherry wood is used to make cabinets because of its ease of working and elegant appearance. Cherry wood cabinets are an addition to the beauty of your kitchen.
2. Carving:
Cherry wood is the best suitable for carved decorations and furniture. It is easy to stain and paint the wood.
3. Furniture:
Hardwood named Cherry is a preferred choice for furniture owing to its strength and unique gain pattern. You can easily finish it as per decor requirements. Easy to bend and turn the cherry wood.
4. Musical instruments:
Resonance and fine tone are the traits of Cherrywood for its appropriateness for musical instruments. Violins, guitars, and other stringed instruments are made from cherry wood.
Other uses: Tables, counterparts, Interior millwork, flooring, boat interior, toys, veneer, bowls, and spoons are the other uses of Cherry wood.
Mahogany Wood Uses
1. Furniture Making:
Use large-sized and longboards of Mahogany wood for furniture without any requirement for joints. The high density and hardness of Mahogany wood compel you to use it for furniture.
Easy to use wood for professional woodworkers and amateurs as well.
2. For Musical Instruments:
Since the wood produces deep and warm tones, use it for various musical instruments, such as electric guitars and wooden drums.
In addition, the usage of wood for different parts of acoustic guitars like necks, sides, and backs.
3. Plywood & Flooring:
Usage of Mahogany is for plywood and flooring because of its plain grain and stability.
4. Cabinetry:
Rich color and durability approve the use of Mahogany for kitchen cabinets. Moreover, it resists hard wear.
5. Boatbuilding:
Mahogany is highly used for boat building since it withstands rot and shrinkage.
6. Decorative Materials:
The excellent workability of Mahogany and its darker shade make the wood suitable for creating decorative items.
Winding Up
Which wood is better?
Mahogany or Cherry?
Both types of wood come with multifarious similar uses such as their stability, somewhat similarity in appearance, furniture and cabinet use, and many more.
Moreover, Mahogany is a more durable wood than Cherry wood.
Cherry is highly prized due to its distinctive grain and appearance.
If you seek a recommendation that depends on the woodworking project. For example, if your wood project demands bending then cherry wood is a great option.
For a long-lasting project, Mahogany should be your first choice. Hence wood type entirely depends on your project.
