Teak vs. Suar Wood: Which is Best for Your Custom Furniture in Bali?

When planning to order custom furniture in Bali for your dream villa or export project, the most critical decision isn’t just the design—it is the material. Bali is famous for its exotic tropical hardwoods, but two contenders often dominate the conversation: Teak (Kayu Jati) and Suar (Kayu Trembesi).

Many buyers are confused. Suar wood offers stunning, massive “live edge” slabs at a tempting price, while Teak is renowned as the gold standard for durability. Which one should you choose?

At Bali Best Buy Furniture, we believe an educated client is a happy client. In this comprehensive guide, we will compare Teak vs. Suar wood based on durability, maintenance, price, and aesthetics to help you make the perfect choice for your custom furniture investment.

1. Teak Wood (Tectona Grandis): The King of Durability

For centuries, Teak wood has been the preferred material for shipbuilders and luxury furniture manufacturers worldwide. In Indonesia, the best Teak comes from government-managed plantations (Perhutani).

Why Teak is “Expensive” but Worth It

Teak is unique because it retains its natural oils and rubber even after being cut and processed.

• Natural Termite Resistance: The high oil content acts as a natural repellent against termites, fungi, and rot. This makes it the only sensible choice for outdoor furniture in Bali or humid climates.
• Structural Stability: Once kiln-dried to the correct Moisture Content (MC), Teak is incredibly stable. It resists warping, shrinking, or cracking, even when exposed to the extreme weather changes of 4-season countries.

Understanding Teak Grades (A, B, C)

When ordering custom furniture, you must specify the grade:

• Grade A: Taken from the center (heartwood) of a mature tree (40+ years old). It is uniform golden-brown, rich in oils, and has no knots.
• Grade B: Taken from the outer heartwood. It has a lighter color and fewer oils than Grade A.
• Grade C: Taken from the outer sapwood. It is yellowish-white, softer, and has no natural termite resistance. We rarely recommend this for high-end projects.

Expert Tip: For your Custom Furniture Bali project, we recommend using at least Grade B+ or Grade A for maximum longevity.

2. Suar Wood (Samanea Saman): The Visual Masterpiece

Suar wood (also known as Rain Tree or Monkey Pod) is the rising star of Bali furniture. It is easily recognized by its massive size and dramatic grain patterns.

The “Live Edge” Appeal

Unlike Teak trees which are slender, Suar trees grow into massive umbrellas. This allows us to cut single, solid slabs that are 1.5 to 2 meters wide without any joints. This makes Suar the top choice for:

• Statement Dining Tables: A massive 3-meter single-slab table creates a “wow” factor in any villa dining room.
• Natural/Organic Design: The “Live Edge” (natural uneven edge) is preserved to highlight the tree’s original shape.

The Challenge: Moisture & Cracking

Suar is a fast-growing tree, which means its wood structure is more porous than Teak. It absorbs and releases moisture rapidly.

• The Risk: If Suar wood is not properly dried, it will crack or bow when moved to a drier climate (like an AC room or a dry winter country).
• The Solution: At Bali Best Buy, we subject our Suar slabs to an extended Kiln Drying process (4-6 weeks) and use “Butterfly Keys” (wooden joints) to stabilize any natural cracks, adding to the aesthetic appeal.

Technical Comparison: Hardness & Maintenance

To give you a scientific perspective, let’s look at the Janka Hardness Scale (a measure of resistance to denting and wear).

Maintenance Requirements

• Teak Care: Very low maintenance. For outdoors, you can leave it to turn silver-grey or oil it annually to keep the golden color.
• Suar Care: Requires more attention. Clean spills immediately to prevent staining. Do not place hot pans directly on the surface. We recommend a polyurethane (PU) matte finish to seal the wood pores completely.

Sustainability: Which is More Eco-Friendly?

Sustainability is a key concern for many of our clients in 2026.

• Teak: Slow-growing (40-80 years). We strictly use SVLK-certified wood (Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu) from Perhutani to ensure no illegal logging is involved.
• Suar: Fast-growing (invasive species). Suar trees grow very quickly and are not endangered. Using Suar is often considered a sustainable choice as it is abundant and captures carbon rapidly.

Which Wood is Best for Your Custom Furniture?

The verdict depends entirely on placement and usage.

Choose Teak Wood IF:

1. You are furnishing an outdoor area (pool deck, terrace).
2. You want bathroom vanities or kitchen cabinets (wet areas).
3. You prefer a minimalist, clean, and uniform look.
4. Budget is not the primary constraint, and you prioritize “buy once, last forever.”

Choose Suar Wood IF:

1. You want a massive “statement” dining table or conference table.
2. You love the artistic, high-contrast look of natural wood grain.
3. The furniture will stay indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.
4. You want a luxury look at a more accessible price point compared to Grade A Teak.

Ordering Custom Furniture in Bali: Our Quality Process

Whether you choose the golden elegance of Teak or the dramatic beauty of Suar, quality manufacturing is non-negotiable.

At Bali Best Buy Furniture, we control every step of the process:

1. Sourcing: Selecting the best logs from legal depots.
2. Kiln Drying: Ensuring MC levels are below 12%.
3. Construction: Using mortise and tenon joints for strength.
4. Finishing: Using top-tier coatings (Propan/Impra) for protection.

Ready to start your project?

Don’t gamble with quality, Contact our team today to discuss your material options and get a transparent quote for your custom furniture needs.