International Wood International Wood 2004 | Page 9

W H A T
Y O U
N E E D
T O
Q
K N O W
A B O U T
S O U R C I N G
AFRICAN MAHOGANY
CUMARU
T R O P I C A L
IPE
W O O D S
RED MERANTI
OBECHE
Why use tropical wood?
A.
Tropical wood products are exceptionally
beautiful, durable, and improve the value of
the end product. Tropical hardwoods have
unique properties not found in other wood
species. Many tropical hardwoods grow very
slowly and, as a result, these species are very
strong and extremely weather resistant.
The resistance of some species to
weathering and pests make them uniquely
suited for outdoor uses such as decking as
they do not require any preservative
treatment. Given that more and more wood
treatments have come under scrutiny due to
health and environmental concerns,
businesses and consumers are increasingly
turning to environmentally safe and
sustainable products like imported wood.
Q
How do I determine which species are
better suited for various applications?
A.
Because of their unique color and grain
characteristics and ease of workability,
tropical woods can be used in virtually every
application as domestic species are used.
Many domestic manufacturers are
complementing their product lines with
tropical woods. For example, flooring
manufacturers are offering Jatoba flooring
alongside domestic species. Furniture
manufacturers are buying imported wood
components as a cost efficient alternative,
or to express a unique design. Imported
softwood plywood, softwood lumber, and
softwood mouldings, such as Radiata Pine,
are increasing and cost effectively used in
residential construction. Some of the most
commonly traded species in hardwood
products are made of Meranti, Okoume,
Khaya, Ipe, Virola, and Keruing.
Discuss with your supplier the technical
and aesthetic properties required for your
product line or project. Your supplier should
be able to provide you with photographs or
samples so you can make an informed
business decision. See the list on the side for
some of the most common species and their
applications. See the “Supplier” listing in this
guidebook for a list of sources. Or, you can
contact IWPA for information on various
species and visit our online directory at
www.iwpawood.org for a listing of suppliers.
There is a huge diversity of
useful timbers for numerous
applications. Below is a short
sampling of those commonly
traded in the United States.
SAPELE
HIGHER DENSITY
Strongest and most durable species
for sea defense, dockyard work,
bridges and other extra demanding
situations.
• Azobe/Ekki
• Bangkirai
• Cumaru
• Greenheart
• Ipe
• Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry)
MEDIUM/HIGH DENSITY
Variety of reliable species for
structural, industrial, and other
hard-wearing applications.
• Bubinga
• Cupiuba
• Kapur
• Kempas
• Keruing
• Purpleheart
MEDIUM DENSITY
Many well known woods used in
joinery, furniture and flooring.
• Afrormosia
• Agathis
• Andiroba
• Anegre
• Birch (Eastern European)
• Imbuia
• Iroko
• Khaya (African Mahogany)
• Lacewood
• Lauan
• Mahogany (Big-Leaf)
• Meranti
• Nogal (Peruvian Walnut)
• Nyatoh
• Ramin
• Rubberwood
• Sande
• Sapele
• Spanish Cedar
• Tauari
• Teak
• Wenge
LOW DENSITY
Lighter weight woods for interior use.
• Ceiba (Sumauma)
• Elliottis Pine
• Jarrah (Eucalyptus)
• Faveiria
• Melapi
• Okoume
• Radiata Pine
• Virola
IMPORTED WOOD
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