West African Utile Timber - Cut to Size, Planed all round and Smooth
Premium Quality West African Utile Wood
From £15.79
We offer West African Utile wood, meticulously cut to your exact specifications, saving you time and reducing waste on-site. Whether you're crafting exquisite furniture, installing long-lasting flooring, or building a weather-resistant outdoor structure, our Utile timber arrives ready for immediate use. Our planed all-round (PAR) service ensures a smooth finish, minimizing the need for additional processing and allowing you to focus on bringing your creative vision to life.
Sourced from sustainable forests, West African Utile is a premium hardwood renowned for its exceptional durability, stability, and striking appearance. The heartwood and sapwood are distinct; the heartwood is pale pink when freshly cut, darkening on exposure to reddish-brown. It closely resembles the related sapele, both in appearance and properties, but is more open in texture due to the larger pores. Its unique interlocking grain often produces a captivating ribbon-like figure, adding depth and character to any project. With its natural resistance to decay, weathering, and insect attack, Utile is a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor applications. It's ideal for Furniture, Joinery, Flooring, Decking, Exterior Cladding, and even marine applications like Boatbuilding.
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Order Your West African Utile Timber Today
Get started on your next project with our premium West African Utile timber. Contact us for a quote or to discuss your requirements.
Call us on +44 (0) 1373 469905 or email us at [email protected].
Cut to Size / Planed West African Sapele Timber
The sapwood is pale yellow or whitish, the heartwood pinkish when freshly cut, darkening to typical mahogany colour of reddish-brown. Sapele is characterised by a marked and regular stripe, particularly pronounced on quarter-sawn surfaces.
Occasionally mottle figure is present, it is fairly close textured, and the grain is interlocked. It is harder and heavier than African mahogany, weighing about 640 kg/m³ when dried. It has a pronounced cedar-like scent when freshly cut.
Many Tropical timbers including West African Sapele may affected by the tiny Ambrosia beetle when the logs are fresh-felled and lying on Forest floor in humid climates, as soon as the log is resawn and kiln dried, the Ambrosia dies i.e. it is not continuous damaging woodworm. This is not considered a defect especially as these timbers are frequently given a paint finish and either a coloured or dark stain typically hides any pin marks.
Ordering West African Sapele Timber
People ordering Sapele timber from Timbersource will find that this is a reasonably hard and heavy wood which is easy to work, tending to saw easily, finish well, and peel and slice effectively for veneers. This is also a great wood for gluing and nailing, although it may tear during planing
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the typical uses for West African Utile?
West African Utile is a versatile hardwood suitable for a wide range of uses, including:
- Furniture: tables, chairs, cabinets
- Joinery: doors, windows, stairs
- Cabinetry: kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities
- Flooring: solid and engineered hardwood flooring
- Musical instruments: guitars, drums, veneers
- Boatbuilding: interior and exterior trim
How does West African Utile compare to other hardwoods?
West African Utile is known for its:
- Durability and stability: It is a strong and durable wood with good stability, making it suitable for demanding applications.
- Reddish-brown color: It has a rich reddish-brown color that can range from light to dark, often with a ribbon-like figure due to its interlocking grain.
- Good workability: It is relatively easy to work with both hand and power tools, although it can have a blunting effect on cutting edges.
- Moderate price point: It is generally more affordable than some premium hardwoods like mahogany.
It is often compared to mahogany, but Utile tends to have a slightly finer texture and a more consistent color.
What is Utile wood?
Utile is a tropical hardwood native to West and Central Africa. It is known for its rich reddish-brown color, interlocked grain, and durability.
What are the properties of Utile wood?
Utile is a dense, heavy wood that is resistant to rot and insects. It is also easy to work with and finishes to a smooth, lustrous surface.
Is Utile wood sustainable?
It is important to purchase utile from sustainable sources to ensure the long-term health of the forests.
Is Utile wood difficult to work with?
Utile is generally easy to work with, but it can be prone to tear out when planing or sanding. Using a sharp blade and a low cutting angle can help to minimize tear out.
How should Utile wood be finished?
Utile can be finished with a variety of finishes, including oil, varnish, and lacquer. It is important to apply the finish evenly to avoid blotchiness.
Oil-based finishes tend to enhance the natural beauty of the wood, while water-based finishes are more environmentally friendly. Stains can be used to change the color of the wood to match your desired aesthetic.
For a high-quality and natural finish, we recommend Rubio Monocoat. It enhances the beauty of the wood while providing excellent protection.
Before applying any finish, be sure to sand the wood smooth and remove any dust or debris. Always test the finish on a scrap piece of sapele first to ensure you're happy with the results.
Is West African Utile a good choice for outdoor projects?
West African Utile has good natural durability and resistance to decay, making it suitable for some outdoor applications. However, it's essential to treat it with a protective finish designed for exterior use to ensure its longevity. It's commonly used for outdoor furniture, decking, and cladding.
What sizes of West African Uapele do you offer?
We offer West African Utile in a wide range of sizes, both standard and custom. You can find detailed information about our available sizes on our website or contact us directly to discuss your specific requirements. We also offer a cut-to-size service, so you can get the exact dimensions you need for your project.
Where does your West African Utile come from?
Our West African Utile is sourced from sustainably managed forests in West Africa. We are committed to responsible forestry practices and ensure that our timber comes from suppliers who prioritize environmental stewardship and sustainable harvesting.
Download West African Sapele Timber Spec Sheet
West African Sapele Tips
Best external rated timber for painting
Can bend slightly in long narrow pieces due to tension release
High moisture content can lead to shrinkage when drying
Standard Delivery
Timbersource usually aims to dispatch orders within 5 working days for most requirements. We will endeavour to complete your order ahead of schedule.
Next Day / Same Working Day
Click and Collect - next working day collection when you order by 12:00pm**
Delivery - Next working day delivery when you order by 12:00pm (please call +44 (0) 1373 469905 to ask if we can meet your timescale requirements)
**Subject to Stock availability and excludes Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays and Christmas Periods.
Timbersource deliver Nationwide, for more information please CLICK HERE.
