TiggerToo
Well-known member
Traditionally Teak is used for exteriors. But how does mohogany behave (untreated) when left to the elements: it is any good? Or does one have to varnish it to keep it from rotting?
mohogany for external use
- Thread starter TiggerToo
- Start date
prv
Well-known member
I believe it's borderline - some varieties are ok and some are not.
Wait for an expert before relying on that
Pete
imac8
New member
My father used mahogany, it was fine for a few seasons but eventually needed replacing. Instead of teak, he went for Iroko which is a decent alternative and slightly cheaper (or what I'm led to believe)
RobBrown
Active member
I think the naturally oily woods do best outdoors, which is why Teak lasts pretty well untreated. I think best of cheaper (but stilll not cheap) alternatives is Iroko, which I used, but I also epoxy painted & varnished.
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exfinnsailor
New member
Try Ironwood. I have laid a decking using it. You cannot get nails in it and you have to drill it. Mind you I did find some bug holes so they must have good teeth. Its rock hard and splinters really hurt.
According to goooooooogle
Mahogany has a durability outdoors in excess of 12 years. It can be left untreated , allowing it to mellow to a silvery grey colour.
According to goooooooogle
Mahogany has a durability outdoors in excess of 12 years. It can be left untreated , allowing it to mellow to a silvery grey colour.
prv
Well-known member
Ah - this is what I was remembering.
Larry Pardey in The Cost Conscious Cruiser reckons bare is ok for "good quality, stable Honduras mahogany", but not "Philippine mahogany which, because of its more open grain, should be protected."
Pete
Larry Pardey in The Cost Conscious Cruiser reckons bare is ok for "good quality, stable Honduras mahogany", but not "Philippine mahogany which, because of its more open grain, should be protected."
Pete
SHUG
Active member
I note you don't really say that you laid an Ironwood deck just that you used it when laying a decking.
I know this wood and it is almost impossible to cut, weighs a ton and its so rotproof that in Borneo , Ironwood piles for river-side houses are passed from generation to generation as a valuable inheritance.
Its so full of minerals that its almost like a rock!!!
30boat
N/A
My mahogany tiller is at least 11 years old,possibly much more and is left untreated .It's still in very good nick with only a little checking.
chinita
Well-known member
No issues with mahogany for exteriors - in principle.
Finding good mahogany is not so simple and cheap Sapele is most likely to be offered. Alternatives will be difficult to source and expensive. IMO Iroko is better than todays mahogany.
It is not the elements which you need to worry about, it is rot due to poor ventilation. It could be argued that is the lack of the 'elements' which cause the problems. In other words, you need to consider the interior of your exterior!
