Wood for outdoor use different from Teak
CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL WOOD
Timber effortlessly complements natural surroundings. Its flexibility allows landscape artists the freedom to incorporate enhancements such as handrails, balustrades, pergolas, screens and gazebos.
Any wood has different characteristics that make it suitable for certain use instead than others. This wood list would help you to choose the most suitable for your needs.
Balau
Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Chengal
Neobalanocarpus heimii (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow-brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : n.d. Air-dry Density: 915-980 (kg/m3 at 15% MC)
Remarks: n.d.
Keranji
Dialium spp. (Leguminosae)
Colour and grain : n.d. Durability: High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type I & II. Air-dry Density: 755-1,250 (kg/m3 at 15% MC)
Remarks: n.d.
Merbau
Intsia spp. - I. palembanica (Leguminosae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is pale yellow in colour. Heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown when fresh, darkening to brown or dark red-brown on exposure. The texture is coarse but even, with interlocked grain. Durability: High. Strenght: Strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 515-1,040 (kg/m3 at 15% MC)
Remarks: A popular timber for joinery in Europe, particularly Belgium and The Netherlands. The timber is attractive and particularly suitable for decorative flooring. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Kapur
Dryobalanops spp. (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : n.d. Durability: High. Strenght: Strong. Tangential movement : Type V. Air-dry Density: 575-815 (kg/m3 at 15% MC)
Remarks: n.d.
Kelat
Syzygium spp. (Myrtaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is not well-defined from the heartwood which is light brown, pink-brown, red brown or purple brown with a grey tinge. The grain is interlocked, irregular or wavy. Texture is moderately fine and even. Durability: Moderately High. Strenght: Strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 495-1,010 (kg/m3 at 15% MC)
Remarks: Suitable for medium traffic flooring. Machines easily and takes a good finish. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Keledang
Artocarpus spp. (Moraceae)
Colour and grain : n.d. Durability: Moderately High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : n.d. Air-dry Density: 495-945 (kg/m3 at 15% MC)
Remarks: n.d.
Kempas
Kompassia malaccensis (Leguminosae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Keruing
Dipterocarpus spp. (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Mengkulang
Heritiera spp. (Sterculiaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Merawan
Hopea spp. (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Merpauh
Switonia spp. (Anacardiaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Simpoh
Dillenia spp. (Dilleniaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Tualang
Kompassia excelsa (Leguminosae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Bintangor
Calophyllum spp. (Guttiferae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Durian
Coelostegia spp., Durio spp., Kostermensia sp., Neesia spp. (Bombacaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Meranti, rosso scuro
Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Meranti, bianco
Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Meranti, giallo
Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Meranti Bakau
Shorea uliginosa (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.
Mersawa
Anisoptera spp. (Dipterocarpaceae)
Colour and grain : Sapwood is lighter in colour and well defined from the heartwood, which is yellow- brown, brown or reddish brown. The grain is interlocked and the texture is moderately fine but even. Durability: Very High. Strenght: Very strong. Tangential movement : Type III. Air-dry Density: 850-1,155 (kg/m3 a 15% MC)
Remarks: This timber is suitable for heavy-duty applications and has good working properties. Pre-boring before nailing is recommended.