Simply put, domestic woods are grown and harvested in your country of origin (the US is my case) and exotic woods are grown elsewhere in the world and imported. Because they are imported, and due to their high demand, exotic woods carry a high price tag with prices ranging from $20 a board foot to over $200. Whereas most domestic lumbers typically runs from $2 to $15 a board foot.

 

While they are not necessarily better in regards to strength and durability, many exotic woods have vibrant wood grains and colors that cannot be found in regular domestic lumber making them an attractive addition to any piece of furniture.

 

One way to utilize the unique beauty of exotic wood is through accents and inlays.