07/05/2026
Not all wood is created equal.
Here's what you need to know about different types of wood before buying furniture.
PINE:
Soft, lightweight, and affordable. Easy to work with but scratches easily and doesn't handle humidity well. Best for light use pieces in dry spaces.
ROSEWOOD:
One of the most beautiful woods in the world. Deep grain, rich colour, incredible durability. Rare, expensive and is highly regulated. Thus it is pften imitated but rarely matched.
TEAK:
The gold standard for outdoor and high traffic furniture. Naturally resistant to water, insects, and warping. A teak piece maintained well can last 50+ years. This is generational furniture.
MUKWA:
Zambia's own hardwood. Dense, rich reddish-brown grain, naturally resistant to rot and pests. It's been used in Zambian homes for decades because it simply doesn't give up. This is the wood your grandfather's furniture that still exists was made from.
At The Mukwa House, we build in Mukwa and Teak. The two hardwoods that earn their place in a serious home.
DM us to discuss your next piece.