When sourcing outdoor furniture from China, the wood species you specify determines the product’s lifespan, maintenance burden, and retail price point. Teak, acacia, and eucalyptus are the three most commonly available hardwoods for outdoor furniture production, and they differ significantly in durability, weather resistance, and cost. Choosing the wrong species for your climate or price tier leads to customer returns and warranty claims.

For the metal side of the decision, compare aluminum versus steel versus wrought iron frames.

This comparison evaluates teak, acacia, and eucalyptus across the criteria that matter to furniture buyers: hardness, natural oil content, weather resistance, maintenance requirements, and sourcing cost from Chinese factories. By the end, you will know which wood fits your product positioning and target market.

Teak: The Benchmark for Outdoor Wood

Teak (Tectona grandis) is the gold standard for outdoor furniture. Its natural oil content — 2 to 6 percent of dry weight — makes it inherently resistant to water, decay, and insects without any chemical treatment. Teak's tight grain and high silica content also give it a natural non-slip surface that improves with age.

The key sourcing consideration for teak is origin. Myanmar (Burmese) teak is considered the highest quality due to its mature growth and high oil content, but international sanctions and logging restrictions have limited supply. Indonesian plantation teak is the most commonly available certified source, grown on government-managed plantations with FSC certification available. Chinese furniture factories typically source teak from Indonesia or Africa (Cote d'Ivoire and Tanzania), with Indonesian plantation teak commanding a 20 to 30 percent premium over African teak.

Teak furniture from Chinese factories typically carries the highest price in the outdoor wood category. A teak dining chair (unfinished, FOB price) costs $45 to $85 per unit, compared to $25 to $45 for acacia and $18 to $30 for eucalyptus at the same specification.

Acacia: Dense and Affordable

Acacia refers to several species in the Acacia genus, with Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis being the most commonly used for furniture in Chinese factories. Acacia is significantly harder than teak — its Janka hardness rating of approximately 1,500 lbf (pounds-force) exceeds teak's 1,070 lbf — but it has lower natural oil content (0.5 to 2 percent), meaning it requires surface treatment for outdoor use.

Acacia is widely grown in Southeast Asia, and Chinese factories source it domestically (from Guangxi and Hainan provinces) and from Vietnam and Malaysia. The wood has a rich, varied grain pattern ranging from light amber to dark reddish-brown, making it visually appealing for furniture that competes with teak at a lower price point.

The trade-off is weather resistance. Acacia will develop surface checks, mold, and eventual rot if left untreated outdoors. Factory-applied oil finishes (typically teak oil or linseed-based products) provide 6 to 12 months of protection before the furniture needs re-oiling. For more detail on wood maintenance and defect patterns, see solid wood vs MDF vs plywood, which covers wood behavior under moisture stress.

Eucalyptus: The Budget Option

Eucalyptus (primarily Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus globulus) is the most affordable hardwood option for outdoor furniture. It is fast-growing (harvestable in 12 to 15 years versus teak's 50 to 70 years), widely planted in southern China, and abundant in the domestic timber market at $250 to $350 per cubic meter.

Eucalyptus has moderate hardness (Janka rating of 900 to 1,125 lbf, depending on species) and low natural oil content (under 1 percent). Without treatment, eucalyptus furniture will crack, warp, and rot within 2 to 3 seasons of outdoor exposure. With proper treatment — kiln drying to 10 to 12 percent moisture, followed by oil or sealant application — eucalyptus furniture can last 5 to 8 years outdoors.

Chinese factories producing budget outdoor furniture lines often use eucalyptus with a teak-stained oil finish, allowing the product to visually approximate teak at one-third the cost. The key quality variable is drying: improperly dried eucalyptus (moisture content above 15 percent) will crack regardless of surface treatment.

Janka Hardness and Durability Comparison

Janka hardness measures resistance to denting and wear — higher numbers mean harder wood. For outdoor furniture, hardness affects scratch resistance, joint stability, and screw-holding strength.

Property	Teak	Acacia	Eucalyptus
Janka hardness (lbf)	1,070	1,500	900 to 1,125
Density (kg/m3)	630 to 720	710 to 830	560 to 680
Natural oil content	2 to 6%	0.5 to 2%	under 1%
Natural decay resistance	High (25+ years)	Moderate (5 to 10 years)	Low (2 to 3 years untreated)
Screw-holding strength	Good	Excellent	Moderate

Acacia's higher hardness gives it better screw-holding and joint durability than teak — an advantage for furniture with bolted or screwed joints that experience load stress (dining chairs, benches). Teak's advantage is dimensional stability: it moves less with moisture changes, so joints stay tight without gaps.

Weather and Moisture Resistance

Outdoor furniture failure modes are moisture-driven: swelling, warping, checking, and rot. The three woods resist these failures through different mechanisms.

Teak resists moisture through its natural oil content, which permeates the wood structure and repels water at the cellular level. Teak can be left unfinished outdoors indefinitely — it will weather to a silver-gray patina without structural degradation. This is why teak is specified for marine applications and high-end resort furniture where maintenance budgets are minimal.

Acacia resists moisture through density — its tight cell structure slows water penetration. But without oil treatment, acacia will absorb moisture at cut ends and joints, leading to swelling and checking. Factory-applied oil must be reapplied every 6 to 12 months for outdoor use.

Eucalyptus has the lowest natural resistance and is the most prone to moisture-induced movement. The wood's interlocked grain pattern causes it to warp asymmetrically when moisture varies — a characteristic that proper kiln drying mitigates but does not eliminate. Eucalyptus furniture must be sealed on all surfaces (including undersides and joints) to perform outdoors.

Maintenance Requirements by Wood Type

Maintenance Task	Teak	Acacia	Eucalyptus
Initial oil treatment	Optional	Required	Required
Re-oiling frequency	12 to 18 months (optional)	6 to 12 months	4 to 6 months
Covering in rain	Not necessary	Recommended	Required
Winter storage	Optional	Recommended	Required
Expected outdoor lifespan	25 to 50+ years	10 to 15 years	5 to 8 years

Maintenance burden directly affects the total cost of ownership. Teak's higher initial price ($45 to $85 per chair) is offset by minimal maintenance over a 25-plus year lifespan. Eucalyptus's low initial price ($18 to $30 per chair) looks less attractive when the furniture needs replacement after 5 to 8 years.

Price Comparison for Outdoor Furniture

FOB prices from Chinese factories for a standard outdoor dining chair (unfinished, EXW Foshan):

Wood Type	FOB Price (per chair)	MOQ (units)
Teak (Indonesian plantation)	$45 to $85	50
Teak (African)	$38 to $65	50
Acacia	$25 to $45	50
Eucalyptus	$18 to $30	50 to 100

Prices vary with specification: kiln-dried wood adds 8 to 12 percent to cost, FSC-certified timber adds 5 to 10 percent, and factory-applied oil finish adds $2 to $5 per unit. For a full sourcing cost analysis including freight and duty, see the furniture materials overview on the Riwick product pages.

Which Wood Should You Source?

For premium and resort furniture (retail $300 to $800 per chair): Teak is the only credible specification. Buyers in this tier expect 25-plus year outdoor lifespan and the silvery-gray patina that signals genuine teak. Specify Indonesian plantation teak with FSC certification for sustainability claims.

For mid-range retail furniture (retail $120 to $300 per chair): Acacia offers the best value. Its hardness and visual appeal justify the mid-range price, and buyers in this tier accept seasonal re-oiling as part of furniture ownership. Specify kiln-dried acacia with factory-applied oil finish.

For budget and mass-market furniture (retail $50 to $120 per chair): Eucalyptus is the standard. Specify kiln-dried (10 to 12 percent moisture), fully sealed on all surfaces, with a teak-tone oil finish. Set buyer expectations for 5 to 8 year outdoor lifespan. For more guidance on sourcing outdoor furniture from China, explore sourcing options available through Riwick.

FAQ

Is acacia harder than teak?

Yes. Acacia has a Janka hardness rating of approximately 1,500 lbf, compared to teak's 1,070 lbf. This makes acacia more resistant to denting and scratching. However, teak's higher natural oil content makes it more durable outdoors despite being slightly softer.

Can eucalyptus furniture be left outside year-round?

Only if properly treated. Kiln-dried eucalyptus with a full oil or sealant treatment on all surfaces can last 5 to 8 years outdoors. Untreated eucalyptus will crack and rot within 2 to 3 seasons. Even treated eucalyptus should be covered during extended rain and stored indoors in winter.

Why is teak so much more expensive than other outdoor woods?

Teak's price reflects its slow growth cycle (50 to 70 years to maturity), limited geographic availability (primarily Southeast Asia and parts of Africa), and high demand from marine and luxury markets. Indonesian plantation teak is more sustainable but still commands a premium due to 25-plus year natural outdoor durability without treatment.

How can I tell if my furniture is real teak?

Look for a golden-brown to medium-brown color with straight grain and visible oil sheen. Teak feels slightly oily to the touch due to natural oil content. A simple test: press a thumbnail into an inconspicuous spot — teak's 1,070 lbf hardness means moderate resistance, distinctly softer than acacia but harder than pine.

Which wood is best for humid climates?

Teak is the best choice for tropical or humid climates due to its natural oil content, which repels moisture and resists mold. Acacia performs adequately if re-oiled every 6 months. Eucalyptus is not recommended for consistently humid climates unless sealed and stored during peak humidity.