Sapele vs Accoya: A Comparison of Solid Wood & Modified Alternatives

When you’re selecting the perfect wood for your project, whether it’s for wood for windows and doors, wood for cladding, or wood for decking, the choice between traditional timber or a modern modified alternative can be tough. This is becoming increasingly confusing as new options of modified wood become increasingly available.

Two popular options that frequently contend this debate are Sapele, a naturally durable tropical hardwood, and Accoya, a modified wood derived from fast-growing pine.

Read on as we explore the pros and cons of each option, so you can make the best possible decision for your project.

Sapele: A Naturally Durable Hardwood

Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) is a tropical hardwood native to the rainforests of West Africa.

Known for its striking resemblance to Mahogany, Sapele has been a go-to choice for woodworkers for decades. Its rich, reddish-brown hue and fine grain make it a highly sought-after choice for a broad range of applications, including:

• Furniture wood
• Cabinetry wood
• Woodworking wood
• Joinery wood
• Decking wood
• Shipbuilding wood
• Sliced and sawn veneer
• Wood for staircases

It is classified as moderately durable, with a Class 3 durability rating, making it well-suited for both interior and exterior use. Its natural durability eliminates the need for preservation treatments, as the wood’s low permeability makes it resistant to such processes.

Sapele is sourced from natural forests in a well-managed single tree selection system. This process works with nature, allowing natural forests to remain and still provide economic value to their local community and governments.

Accoya: A Modified Softwood Alternative

Accoya, on the other hand, is not a specific tree species but rather a brand of modified wood. It begins as a fast-growing pine (Pinus Radiata) harvested from intensely managed plantation forestry. Using plantation forestry means natural forests can be left untouched.

The timber then undergoes chemical modification using an acetylation process with acetic acid. This changes the wood from being hydrophilic to hydrophobic, meaning that it no longer attracts water, resulting in an exceptionally stable and durable material.

Accoya is modified to its core and boasts a Class 1 durability rating, surpassing even the best hardwoods in terms of durability.

This acetylated wood is highly resistant to decay, insects, and moisture, making it an excellent choice for outdoor applications and projects requiring long-term stability.

Comparing Sapele and Accoya

When considering solid wood vs engineered wood or modified alternatives like Accoya, it’s essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option:

• Durability: Accoya is the winner when it comes to durability, but it is reliant on chemical modification. Sapele is less durable, but with good design and good construction technique, it is more than adequate for most applications. Sapele is also not reliant on chemicals for its durability.
• Strength: Sapele has greater strength. Accoya is pine, and although the acetylation process improves how the wood reacts with water, it does not improve the strength of the timber.
• Aesthetic appeal: Sapele’s rich, warm tones and attractive grain pattern give it a superior aesthetic appeal to Accoya, which will generally have a painted finish when used for joinery.
• Workability: Sapele is easier to work with and finish thanks to its even texture and moderate hardness.
• Dimensional stability: Accoya’s modification process results in greater dimensional stability. Sapele does rely on good joinery techniques to work with wood’s movement. Although not as good as Accoya, Sapele has one of the best stability ratings when it comes to using natural timber.
• Cost: Sapele being the simpler of the two products, comes in much cheaper generally.
• Use of hardware: As a hardwood, Sapele offers better screw retention compared to the modified softwood Accoya. We would always recommend the use of good stainless steel fixing, but this is very important when it comes to Accoya, as if you don’t, you will find the acid in the chemical will eat away at your hardware.

Making Your Decision

Both timbers will produce a fine end product. Ultimately, the decision between Sapele and Accoya depends on your specific project requirements and priorities. Sapele is available in more random sizes and 25mm-100mm thickness, which may make a difference depending on the end specification required.

At East Brothers, we offer a vast range of timber – including high-quality sapele wood for sale. We’ve been in the industry since 1886 and offer a range of valuable services such as planing, moulding, sawing, kilning, and more.

Feeling confused or still aren’t sure of what wood will suit your project? Simply contact us – we’ll help you select the perfect timber for your needs.