HARDWOODS
Shropshire Building Supplies keeps both Meranti and Sepele hardwoods in stock at Leebotwood branch, but all branches have access to a range of different hardwoods, both FSC and PEFC certificated.
MERANTI
General Description
Malaysian dark red Meranti varies in colour from pale pink / white to dark red / purple. The density can also vary substantially as there are numerous sub-species.
It is generally easy to machine, and imported grade is mainly Selects & better.
Occasionally Meranti is affected by ambrosia beetle (visible as pinhole) when logs have been lying in tropical forests, but are killed off in kilning process.
Often used as a false 'mahogany' for products such as windows, conservatories and doors.
Thicknesses 1", 1¼", 1½", 2", 2½", 3" & 4". Widths 4" - 12", mainly 6" - 8". Lengths 7' - 18' ,average about 12'.
Working Properties
Easy to work with hand and machine tools
Good nailing and gluing properties
Smooth finishes but some tearing of interlocked grain
Takes finishes well
Moderately slow drying with a tendency to warp, thick material may check and end split
Little movement in performance
Physical Properties
Average overall strength and hardness
Stable
Durability
Heartwood is moderately durable
In general, Meranti is naturally resistant to decay and insects
Sapwood liable to attack by powder-post beetle
Not resistant to marine borers
Generally rated as resistant to preservative treatments, sapwood reported to be moderately resistant to permeable, varying with species
Main Uses
Veneer and plywood
Joinery
Flooring
Furniture and cabinetwork
General construction
Boatbuilding
SAPELE
General Description
Sapele from West Africa is a reddish-brown hardwood. Although some parts of the Sapele logs will produce straight-grain or 'quartered' effect, generally it has a more random grain appearance. It is used for numerous mahogany-looking products, for example conservatories, door frames and solid wood doors, furniture and counter tops.
It is available kiln dried in thicknesses 26mm, 32mm, 38mm, 50mm, 63mm, 76mm and 100mm. Random widths range from 100mm to about 400mm and lengths 2m to about 5m.
It is essential to specify the narrowest and shortest dimensions to optimise the lower priced sizes.
Working Properties
Works fairly well with hand and machine tools
Tends to tear interlocked grain in planing
Saws easily
Finishes well
Good gluing and nailing properties
Satisfactory peeling and slicing
Physical Properties
Moderate hardness and weight
Medium bending and crushing strengths, not recommended for steam bending
Seasons fairly rapidly but with a marked tendency to warp
Very variable in drying properties, requires careful stacking
Movement in service is rated as medium
Durability
Heartwood is moderately durable
Resistance to termite attack is variable
Sapwood liable to powder-post beetle attack
Heartwood resistant, sapwood moderately resistant
Main Uses
Furniture and cabinetwork
Decorative veneers
Plywood
Joinery
Flooring
Panelling
