Honduran Mahogany Lumber in Houston – Overview

Honduran Mahogany Lumber

Specifications

  • Thicknesses (Commonly Stocked at Houston Hardwoods in): 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4, and 12/4. We also offer custom milling to your exact specifications (e.g., 1×2, 1×4, 1×6, or other custom dimensions), as well as various options including S4S, S2S, S2S1E, and SLR1E.
  • Species: Swietenia macrophylla (also known as Genuine Mahogany, Big-Leaf Mahogany)
  • Hardness (Janka): 900 lbf
  • Color: Pale pinkish-brown to rich, dark reddish-brown heartwood; light sapwood; darkens with age
  • Grain: Straight, interlocked, or wavy; medium, uniform texture with a natural luster
  • Workability: Excellent — machines, cuts, glues, and finishes easily; ideal for detailed work
  • Common Uses in Houston: Custom furniture, cabinetry, decorative veneers, boatbuilding, musical instruments, and specialty woodworking

What Makes Honduran Mahogany Unique

Honduran Mahogany stands out from other hardwoods, including maples and African Mahogany, due to its rich, reddish-brown heartwood and exceptional workability. Unlike Soft Maple’s light, plain grain or Hard Maple’s dense, straight grain, Honduran Mahogany offers a warm, elegant tone that deepens over time, paired with a smooth texture ideal for fine furniture and intricate carvings. Compared to African Mahogany, it has a more consistent color and finer grain, making it a preferred choice for high-end, classic designs.

Why Choose Honduran Mahogany

  • Rich, Warm Look: Its deep reddish-brown color adds a timeless, elegant touch to furniture and cabinetry in Houston homes.
  • Easy to Work: With a Janka hardness of 900 lbf, this hardwood is easy to cut, shape, and finish, perfect for detailed woodworking projects.
  • Great for Finishing: Takes stains, polishes, and clear finishes well, enhancing its natural luster for a smooth, glossy look.
  • Stable When Prepared: When properly dried and acclimated, Honduran Mahogany resists warping, making it reliable for precision joinery and veneers.
  • Premium Appeal: While more expensive than some hardwoods, its beauty and workability make it a top choice for high-end, classic projects.

Why You Might Not Choose Honduran Mahogany

  • Moderate Hardness: At 900 lbf, it’s less durable than harder woods like Hard Maple, making it less ideal for high-traffic structural uses without protective finishes.
  • Higher Cost: Its premium qualities make this wood pricier than common hardwoods, which may not fit smaller budgets.
  • Indoor Preference: Houston’s humid climate and strong sunlight make Honduran Mahogany less practical for outdoor use without heavy protective coatings.

Honduran Mahogany in the Houston Climate

Acclimation for Best Results

This hardwood performs well in Houston’s humid climate when acclimated to indoor conditions before use. This prevents movement from the area’s high humidity (70–90%) and temperature changes, ensuring it lasts in furniture and decorative projects.

Ideal for Indoor Projects

With Houston’s frequent rain and intense sunlight, Honduran Mahogany is best used indoors. Outdoor projects need strong sealing to avoid moisture damage, making it less suitable for exterior use in the Gulf Coast region.

Color and Grain Changes

The rich, reddish-brown tones of this wood deepen naturally over time in sunlit Houston homes, enhancing its warm look. UV-resistant finishes can help control color changes, ideal for spaces with large windows or bright natural light.

Popular Honduran Mahogany Applications in Houston

Honduran Mahogany’s warm color and smooth texture make it a favorite for Houston’s designers, craftsmen, and homeowners seeking elegant, high-quality materials. Its rich grain adds a classic, luxurious touch to custom projects in homes and businesses.

Popular Applications Include:

  • Custom Furniture: Elegant pieces like dining tables, desks, and bookshelves in areas like River Oaks, Memorial, and Tanglewood
  • Cabinetry: Kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and built-in shelving for upscale interiors
  • Decorative Veneers: Thin panels for furniture surfaces, wall accents, and cabinet doors in luxury settings
  • Musical Instruments: Guitar bodies, piano components, and other instrument parts crafted by Houston’s artisans
  • Boatbuilding: Interior trim, decking, and structural members for boats, popular in Houston’s coastal community
  • Architectural Details: Decorative trim and low-traffic stair parts with strong finishes for home settings

Current Design Trends Featuring Honduran Mahogany:

  • Classic Luxury Furniture: Honduran Mahogany is used for timeless dining sets and office furniture, popular in Houston’s high-end renovations.
  • Richly Finished Cabinetry: Its warm tones shine in polished kitchen cabinets and built-ins for elegant homes.
  • Nautical Designs: Designers use this hardwood for boat interiors and coastal-inspired furniture, reflecting Houston’s proximity to the Gulf.
  • Instrument Craftsmanship: Local artisans choose Honduran Mahogany for high-quality guitar and piano components, a trend in Houston’s music scene.
  • Traditional Accents: Honduran Mahogany trim and veneers add a classic touch to home libraries and commercial spaces.

Looking for Honduran Mahogany for Your Next Project?

We stock this hardwood in 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4, and 12/4 thicknesses and can custom mill to your exact needs. Whether you’re building elegant furniture, crafting detailed cabinetry, or creating a musical instrument, our team is here to help you pick the right material.

Visit Houston Hardwoods or contact us to check availability, request a quote, or talk about your project plans.