Okan and Tali are both extremely durable tropical hardwood species for decking, but in practice they each fulfill their own role. Okan is the brute force for heavy construction work and edge zones; Tali excels as a stable, comfortable and aesthetic decking board for terraces. At Houthandel Jan Sok this combination is - with Okan posts and beams and Tali decking boards - an ideal basis for high-quality terraces, scaffolding and outdoor projects. In this guide we share our own experience with both types of wood, so that you can make an informed choice for your project.
Houthandel Jan Sok and the hardwood range
Houthandel Jan Sok is an established wood specialist in the Northern Netherlands, with a clear focus on garden wood and hardwood for professionals and do-it-yourselfers. In our hardwood range we offer, among other things: Azobe, Okan, Tali and Keruing - especially for civil engineering, road construction and hydraulic engineering, but also for decking, terraces and garden projects. We mainly use Okan constructively (posts and beams); We position Tali as the main choice for the visible decking surface. View the full hardwood range or our hardwood decking planks.
What is Okan wood?
Okan is a tropical hardwood species from West Africa, mainly from countries such as Gabon and Cameroon. The wood is known for its exceptional durability, high density and long lifespan, which is why it is widely used in civil engineering, such as bridges, sheet piling, sheet piling and street furniture.
Technical properties of Okan
- Origin: West Africa (including Gabon, Cameroon).
- Density: approximately 1.000–1.200 kg/m³ with fresh wood - very heavy.
- Durability class: usually class 1 (very durable), lifespan 30 years or longer for outdoor applications.
- Strength class: classified as D40 according to NEN-EN 1912, suitable for heavy constructions.
These properties make Okan excellently resistant to weather influences, fungi and insects - an ideal choice for projects with direct ground or water contact, exactly the type of applications for which we supply a lot.
What is Tali wood?
Tali is also an African hardwood species with high durability and good stability, but is more often chosen for decking and facades than for extremely heavily loaded structures. The heartwood has durability class I (very durable) and lasts a long time in outdoor applications such as terraces, waterworks and bridges.
Important properties of Tali
- Origin: Africa, from tropical regions.
- Density: hard and rather heavy; suitable for decking and heavy constructions.
- Durability class: class I (very durable) for the heartwood.
- Structure: very even, with little noticeable markings and sometimes slightly darker stripes.
- Colour: beautiful light brown, popular for terraces and decking.
Tali is often used for decking, floors, waterworks and facade cladding, partly because - once properly dried - it can be worked very smoothly and is very stable. This makes it ideally suited as a decking board for comfortable terraces with a quiet, chic appearance.
Okan vs Tali: comparison at a glance
| Characteristic | Okan | Tali |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | West Africa (Gabon, Cameroon) | Africa (tropical regions) |
| Durability class | 1 (very durable) | I (very durable, heartwood) |
| Strength class | D40 (NEN-EN 1912) | D40 |
| Density | 1.000–1.200 kg/m³ | Hard, quite heavy |
| Lifespan outdoor use | 30+ years, also in soil/water | Very tall, especially above ground |
| Structure | Less smooth, robust look | Very even, quiet grain |
| Colour | Golden brown to dark brown | Light brown, sometimes dark stripes |
| Processing | Difficult, solidifies tools | Can be worked smooth when dried |
| Best application | Posts, beams, construction, edge zones | Decking boards, terrace, visible work |
Durability and longevity
Both Okan and Tali belong to the highest durability classes and are therefore suitable for long-term outdoor applications. Practice shows that Okan is often classified in durability class 1, with an expected lifespan of 30 years or longer in direct ground or water contact - reflected in applications such as sheet piling, bridges and heavy beam constructions. Tali has durability class I for the heartwood, also "very durable", and is explicitly mentioned as an excellent choice for long-term projects such as decking and waterworks. Due to its high density and stability, Tali is very suitable for terraces, bridges and floors that are intensively used.
What does this mean for your choice at Jan Sok? Those looking for absolute top durability for constructions and edge solutions often choose Okan, while Tali is a sustainable choice for the walking surface of terraces and decking.
Appearance and aging on your deck
In terms of appearance, Okan and Tali differ subtly but noticeably. Okan has a color variation from golden brown to dark brown and can have a varying thread pattern. The structure is less even than some other hardwood types, which gives the wood a sturdy, robust look - suitable for scaffolding, edge finishing and heavier applications. During drying, Okan has a tendency to split and crack, although little deformation occurs; Untreated, it ages to a natural gray shade under the influence of UV light.
Tali is precisely described as wood with a "very even structure, without striking drawings", sometimes with slightly darker stripes. The light brown color and calm grain make it visually attractive for terraces and decking where a clean, modern look is desired. Tali also ages to a silver-gray color over the years, but due to its uniform structure, this aging often looks very homogeneous on a terrace.
For those who want a sleek, comfortable terrace, Tali is therefore usually the logical choice for the visible decking planks, while Okan visually looks a bit rougher and "utilitarian" - ideal for the less visible, but heavily loaded areas.
Density, hardness and processing
Both types of wood are hard and heavy, but their workability differs. Okan has a high density and is classified in strength class D40, making it very strong and wear-resistant. At the same time, machinability is difficult: Okan is described as "difficult to machine" due to the variable thread pattern and the dulling effect on tools. Drying is very slow and can be accompanied by splitting and cracking, which requires extra attention during storage and processing. Good, sharp tools and careful assembly are crucial here.
Tali is described as hard but, when properly dried, very smooth to work with and very stable. Product descriptions for Tali decking boards emphasize that the wood can be given a decking profile with grooves to drain water - nice for decking. With strength class D40 and durability class I, Tali offers an excellent combination of strength and workability for decking planks.
For professionals and serious do-it-yourselfers, Tali is therefore often technically more attractive because of the visible walking surface: sturdy, hard, but easy to machine and relatively dimensionally stable.
Applications at Houthandel Jan Sok: who does what?
Okan and Tali play clearly different roles in our range. We use Okan for posts and beams - structural applications such as foundation beams under decking in wet or heavy conditions, posts and edge finishing at jetties and water edges, and structures where direct soil or water loads occur. We refer to it as Tali decking boards: terrace decking at homes and holiday homes, walkways and platforms around ponds and gardens, and decking where comfort, aesthetics and stability are as important as longevity.
This division of roles makes it simple for you as a customer: Okan for the heavy, load-bearing parts and Tali for the decking boards that you walk over every day.
Selection aid for your decking
In summary, you can see Okan and Tali as two complementary parts of one strong decking solution.
Choose Okan if:
- You expect extremely heavy loads (scaffolding, water works, earthworks, road construction and hydraulic engineering).
- You need posts and beams that will last for decades, even in contact with soil and water.
- You emphasize raw strength and construction, less on the refined appearance of the running surface.
Choose Tali if:
- You want a flat, comfortable and aesthetic decking surface for the patio, garden or around the home.
- You are looking for a type of wood with a very even structure, calm grain and a light brown, chic color.
- You want to combine durability class I and strength class D40 with good workability and stability.
In many projects the optimal solution is: Okan in the substructure and edge zones, Tali as a visible decking plank - this way you utilize the strengths of both types of wood. For broader considerations, also read our guide choosing decking boards and the comparison hardwood vs Douglas.
Get started right away with Okan and Tali
Would you like to build a deck or terrace with Okan and Tali? At Houthandel Jan Sok you have come to the right place for both advice and materials. Our hardwood specialists are happy to help you find the right mix for your decking, scaffolding or terrace - including advice on substructure, screws and maintenance. With our experience in Brazilian and African hardwood, you are assured of wood that is technically and aesthetically correct.
Good to know: our standard hardwood decking planks (35×145 mm, extra thick) are made of Okan - the so-called "Extra Thick Okan Plank". We supply Tali on request; please contact us for availability and delivery time in your situation.
- Okan hardwood posts 100×100 mm (3,00 m) for foundation and edge finishing.
- Okan hardwood beams 100×150 mm (3,50 m) for the substructure.
- Hardwood decking plank 35×145 mm - Extra Thick Okan Plank (3,00 m) for the walking surface.
- View all hardwood decking planks or the complete Okan range.
- Question one customized quote on or please contact us for personal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is Okan or Tali more suitable as a decking board?
Tali is generally the better choice for the visible walking surface: more even, lighter in color and easier to work with. You prefer to use Okan for posts, beams and edge finishing.
Do both types of wood last long enough for a patio?
Yes. Both Okan (durability class 1) and Tali (class I) are very durable and last for decades in outdoor applications, even with intensive use.
Should I oil Okan or Tali?
Not required - both naturally gray to a silver-gray shade. If you want to maintain the original color, periodic oiling is recommended.
Do you also deliver in Drenthe, Overijssel and Friesland?
Yes, we deliver throughout the Netherlands and are happy to advise you on the right type of wood and dimensions for your project. Question one quote on or contact us for advice.