Iroko is a Class 1 durable West African hardwood often used as an economical alternative to teak. Heartwood is initially yellow-brown and ages to a rich golden-brown. Highly weather, rot and insect resistant - ideal for exterior joinery, decking, marine work and heavy carpentry.
Iroko is often nicknamed 'African Teak' because of its similar exterior performance - without the genuine Teak price tag. It is naturally durable enough to be used outdoors without preservatives and weathers gracefully to a silver-grey patina. Like Teak it can contain mineral deposits ('stone') that may dull edge tools, so carbide tooling is recommended for production runs.
Iroko has a medium to coarse texture with often interlocked grain. It machines, glues and finishes well, though irregular grain can cause tear-out - sharp tooling and care during planing are recommended. Boards are large and stable, available in long lengths and wider widths.
Indicative values from The Wood Database, AHEC species data and USDA Wood Handbook (FPL-GTR-190). Actual values vary by origin and growing conditions.
| Character | Dry | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Bending Strength (MOR) | 13,700 | psi |
| Stiffness (MOE) | 1,360 | 1,000 psi |
| Hardness (Janka) | 1,260 | lbf |
| Specific Gravity | 0.66 | - |
| Weight | 41 | lbs/ft³ |
| Radial Shrinkage | 3.8 | % |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 7.2 | % |
Other dimensions, grades and certifications available on request.
Naturally rot, insect and fungus resistant, safe for outdoor use without preservative.
Used worldwide for boat decks, harbour furniture and exterior cladding in coastal climates.
Comparable exterior performance at a significantly lower price than Burmese Teak.
FSC®, OLB and EUDR-compliant supply with full chain-of-custody.
Iroko delivers ~80% of Teak's exterior performance at roughly half the price.
Both species are naturally durable and oily, suited to marine and exterior use. Teak is more dimensionally stable and has a finer texture; Iroko is harder, more open-grained and significantly more affordable. For decks, garden joinery and cladding where budget matters, Iroko is the pragmatic choice. For yachts and luxury joinery where stability and figure are critical, Teak still leads.
Afrormosia is closer in look to Teak; Iroko is more available and unrestricted.
Afrormosia is CITES II listed with limited supply and a closer Teak-like grain. Iroko is freely traded under FSC®/OLB schemes, with larger sections available, preferred when volume and lead time matter.
The questions buyers, architects and joiners ask us most often about Iroko.
The go-to mahogany alternative - ribbon-stripe figure, dense and stable.
Deep red, rot-resistant African hardwood - a top mahogany alternative.
Classic reddish-brown mahogany - wide availability, fine even texture.
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