If you’re here, you’ve probably heard all about everyone’s low-cost alternative to Teak: Iroko timber. Iroko is a West African hardwood that very closely resembles Teak in performance and appearance, and while it’s not quite the same, it is comparable enough to be worth the massive savings.
So, what is it used for? Well, the most common uses all have to do with interior and exterior home projects.
Let’s go over the most common uses for Iroko timber.
Interior Renovation
Due to Iroko’s high durability and resemblance to Teak, it’s a highly popular choice for home interior projects.
Its high resistance to wear and tear makes it a great choice for hardwood flooring, and its ability to resist rot makes it a versatile option that can be used everywhere from the living room to the kitchen. This durability makes it less likely to need repairs or replacements, and it can save you even more money in the long run. However, it does need to be treated properly to avoid watermarks.
Iroko is also commonly used for interior framings such as window frames, molding, and door frames. This is mostly due to its price and resemblance to Teak than is its strength and durability, though.
Less common interior home décor uses include veneer tables and counter toppers that help match interior décor to Iroko-based flooring and framing.
Exterior Surfaces
The robust strength and impressive wear resistance of Iroko make it a prime contender for outdoor surfaces. If you’re considering a patio refurbishment, aiming to replace decking or introduce handrails, for example, Iroko can prove to be an excellent choice. Its versatility further extends to structural endeavors as well, making it suitable for projects like sheds and garden structures.
When used for elevated surfaces such as decks and patios, Iroko excels due to its ability to sustain high loads, resist scratching, chipping, and rotting, and its low maintenance requirements. These all come together to create a surface you can safely trust as you walk across it, sit on it, or decorate it with patio furniture and other somewhat heavy pieces of décor.
Its resistance to rotting also means that its maintenance requirements are much lower. You don’t need to constantly stain and seal it, and you certainly don’t have to resort to painting. A semi-regular application of a sealant will keep your Iroko surfaces looking fresh for years.
Indoor and Outdoor Heirloom Furniture
Despite Iroko not being as commonly known as Teak, there are countless antique Iroko furniture pieces dating back 100+ years. This is due to its durability and strength.
Furniture makers often use Iroko to make more cost-effective, yet still exceptionally high quality, furniture pieces that can be used indoors or outdoors. The results usually have excellent visual appeal, require little maintenance, and are easier to craft. Also, like the antiques we referenced, you can expect Iroko furniture to last for an insanely long time. You can reasonably expect to pass well-crafted Iroko furniture down to your children, and they might even pass it down to their children. It’s that durable.
There are Many Uses for Iroko
Iroko tends to be used for these three main types of projects, but a creative mind can adapt its fairly straight grain and high level of strength to a lot more than its traditional uses. If you have a creative mind, a little bit of Iroko, and the desire to make something that will last for years, give Iroko timber a try.