| Teak | Pine | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hardwood | Softwood |
| Density | Dense, heavy | Lighter |
| Moisture and pests | Naturally resistant | Needs treatment |
| Dents and wear | Resists | Dents more easily |
| Workability | Harder on tools | Easy to cut and fix |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
Where teak is the better choice
Main door frames, exposed window frames, premium furniture and outdoor-facing pieces. Here the cost of failure is high and the timber's durability pays off. See teak wood.
Where pine does the job
Furniture frames, shelving, battens and light furniture inside the house, especially if the surface will be painted or laminated. See pinewood.
Don't use pine for
- Exposed outdoor work without proper treatment
- Ground-level frames in damp conditions
- High-wear surfaces
The middle path
Many builders put teak where it shows and a more economical wood where it does not. Another approach is teak veneer over a stable base for large panels.