Almost every second enquiry we receive starts with the same sentence: “we saw a table we like, but we are not sure whether it is teak or suar.” That is a fair question, and it is worth answering properly before a purchase order is written. This page sets out how the two materials differ, where each one earns its place on a shop floor, and what we check before quoting either of them.
What suar wood is — and what it is not
Suar is a fast-growing Indonesian hardwood, also traded as trembesi. In our workshop it arrives as thick slabs and blocks rather than as roots. Teak root furniture is a different product entirely: it is cut from the root system of the teak tree, which is why every piece has an irregular silhouette, hollows and a shape that cannot be repeated exactly.
That difference matters commercially. Suar can be produced in repeatable dimensions, which makes it easier to plan a container, replenish a best-seller, and match a specification sheet. Teak root cannot — and any supplier who promises identical repeats of a root piece is either not telling you the truth or is selling you something else.
How the two materials compare in practice
| What buyers compare | Suar wood | Teak root |
|---|---|---|
| Material source | Trunk and slab timber | Root system of the teak tree |
| Shape | Repeatable sizes and thicknesses | One-off, irregular, sculptural |
| Grain | Straight to wavy, warmer tone | Dense, interlocking, sanded smooth |
| Natural checks | Common in thick slabs; usually stable after drying | Hollows and fissures are part of the look |
| Best for | Slab dining tables, stools, planters, benches | Signature dining tables, consoles, bowls, decor |
| Reordering | Straightforward — same dimensions, new slab | Similar, never identical |
Where suar does the work better
Three categories keep coming back to suar in our production line, and each of them is a shapes-and-repeats argument rather than a fashion argument.
Slab dining tables. A buyer who sells a 200 cm live-edge table in three finishes needs the same table again next season. Suar slabs allow that. Root pieces give character, but the second container will not look like the first, and that is a conversation most retail buyers would rather not have with their own customer.
Stools and benches. Under-seat structure is where suar is most efficient: solid, quick to machine, and easy to keep within a consistent height and footprint. Our own stool series is produced this way — the finishing steps are filmed in the pre-sanding video from our workshop.
Planters. Planter bodies are simple geometry with a large surface area, which suits slab and block material. If the planter is going outdoors, the finish — not the species — is usually the part that decides how long it lasts.
What we produce in suar
Suar is one of several materials we work with, alongside teak root, mahogany and mixed hardwood. In practice that means we can tell you when suar is the wrong answer for a project — a hotel lobby that needs a genuinely sculptural centrepiece will not be served by a slab table, and a retailer who needs 120 identical stools will not be served by roots. You can see the full mix on our furniture range page, and the style-level detail in the catalogue.
Three questions we ask before quoting suar
1. Indoors or outdoors? A finish that performs in a covered terrace is not the same finish that survives a wet garden. Tell us where the piece lives and we will specify accordingly.
2. Repeatable or one-off? If you need a reorder programme, we build a specification with fixed dimensions. If you want one statement piece, we work from a photo and accept that the result will differ in shape.
3. What is the acceptable range for natural defects? Thick solid wood moves. Checks, colour variation and small fissures are normal; the commercial question is how much of that your customer will accept, because that number decides what we select and what we reject at inspection.
How suar is finished and packed here
Slabs are sanded through the grits, inspected for movement and cracks, then finished to the buyer’s specification — natural, white-wash or dark. Before packing, every piece is photographed and labelled by item code, and the loading plan is built around the actual CBM of the finished goods rather than the catalogue figure. The packing and shipping process is documented step by step if you need it for an internal approval.
Frequently asked questions
Is suar wood the same as teak?
No. Suar (trembesi) is a different species from teak, and teak root is a different product again. They are often grouped together in showrooms because both are sold as “natural Indonesian wood”, but they behave differently in production and in service.
Does suar wood crack?
Thick solid wood can develop checks as it adjusts to a new climate, particularly in dry, heated interiors. In our experience most movement happens early and then stabilises. A stable indoor humidity and an oiled finish reduce the risk considerably.
Can suar be used outdoors?
Yes, with the right finish and detailing, and with the expectation that any solid wood outdoors will weather over time. We will tell you honestly when a project is better served by a different material or a different construction.
Do you publish FOB prices for suar models?
We send the current FOB price list for the models you are interested in once we know the mix and volume — usually within one working day, by email or WhatsApp.
If you are weighing suar against teak root for a range, send us the model list or a photo of what you sell. We will reply with an honest view of which material suits, realistic dimensions and a sample plan — including the cases where we are not the right supplier for it.
See also
FOB price guide — 210 models · Table bases for glass and stone tops · Stools and seating wholesale · How to choose a manufacturer: 10 checks
Written by
Mr. August Praymunor — Overseas Marketing Director
CV. Nusantara Sourcing Agent · manufacturer and exporter of teak root and suar wood furniture in Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia. We have shipped over 300 containers since 2016, loading 4×40’FCL per month for importers, hotel groups and interior contractors in Europe and North America. Every figure on this page comes from our own production and shipping records.
export@teakrootfurniture.com · WhatsApp +62 852 0600 7878 · LinkedIn · Jl. RA Rukmini KM.02 Pekalongan RT.02/V, Tahunan, Jepara 59428, Central Java, Indonesia
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