Trying to decide on type of wood for staircase - OAK or WENGE

[MikeSmyth]

Anyone used WENGE as opposed to OAK for their staircase?
Was wondering if there is a clear cut advantage of one over the other (Wenge is naturally darker and more dense I know).

[Big Jimbo]

Oak is quite soft, infact it is actually a soft wood, and not a hardwood as most people think. As you said, Wenge is very dense, and heavy, and cost a considerable amount more than Oak.

[nod]

I fitted oak and painted the spindles Heavy enough with just myself and my wife fitting 

[Temp]

9 hours ago, Big Jimbo said:

Oak is quite soft, infact it is actually a soft wood, and not a hardwood as most people think. As you said, Wenge is very dense, and heavy, and cost a considerable amount more than Oak.

 

Trivia: Balsa wood is technically a hardwood.

 

We went with Oak and despite protecting it managed to get some dings during construction.

[Big Jimbo]

34 minutes ago, Temp said:

 

Trivia: Balsa wood is technically a hardwood.

 

We went with Oak and despite protecting it managed to get some dings during construction.

Well done Temp. Top of the class. Not many people know that about Balsa, and most people think Oak is a hardwood.

[Critical Path]

I used Wenge solid T&G floorboards in our old house, cost me over £100m 2 as unfinished planks, looked amazing when laid, blunted every tool

and was very dense. Not sure how sustainable it is though?

[Mr Punter]

4 hours ago, Critical Path said:

Not sure how sustainable it is though

 

I think we know - not at all.

 

I have used Ipe for decking.  Apparently no too bad in terms of how many get felled, until you learn that they will fell a massive swathe of trees to get to one Ipe and drag it out of the forest.

 

Tropical hardwood is not sustainable.

[PeterW]

Just planed some ipe board for a neighbour and thought the thicknesser was missing it’s blades..!! Was like planing steel ..!

[Construction Channel]

5 hours ago, Big Jimbo said:

Well done Temp. Top of the class. Not many people know that about Balsa, and most people think Oak is a hardwood.

Are you sure about that? 

Iv always been taught that oak was a hardwood and Wikipedia seems to agree

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_woods