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