It's often used for rustic pieces, like farmhouse-style tables. With straight-grain consistency, meranti trees produce long, straight pieces of lumber. For clean cuts, rip with a rip-profile blade having 24-32 teeth. The wood is dimensionally stable and resistant to warping or twisting. Re-polishing is recommended after a few years to bring back the shine in the furniture . Marindi wood is available in the market as Timber logs. Douglas fir, a softwood, ranks 660. The majority of meranti for domestic use is imported to the United States from Southeast Asia. As veneer, much of it becomes plywood, plywood paneling, cabinets, and hollow-core doors. Meranti is one of the easier hardwoods with which to work. The majority of meranti for domestic use … Light-red and dark-red meranti produce medium-to-coarse textured wood that ranges in color from pale pink to brown and reddish-brown. that makes up the greatest proportion of timber that's sold as Philippine mahogany. Meranti traditionally grows in well-drained soils at low altitudes. But unlike some types of pine and fir that yield long splinters, those of meranti tend to be short. To avoid chipping, power carvers should use the less aggressive bits when working meranti. that makes up the greatest proportion of timber that's sold as Philippine mahogany. Meranti has a coarse, fibrous texture with open pores. For stability in use, always work wood with a maximum moisture content of 8 percent. Specializing in hardwood furniture, trim carpentry, cabinets, home improvement and architectural millwork, Wade Shaddy has worked in homebuilding since 1972. Philippine or Lauan mahogany is another, somewhat generic term for meranti that is harvested and is available in abundance on a worldwide basis. after the genus name means that several species in that genus share similar appearance and characteristics, e.g. Steel blades, bits and knives cut meranti with ease, but carbide-tipped blades and tools are recommended for projects on a production level. Another common name for this wood is Meranti: while the name Lauan is commonly used when referring to plywood made of this type of wood. A lumberman's dream, it will also be branch free for 90'. Subsequent sanding with progressively finer grits yields smoother finishes. Not as hard as mahogany, and a bit brittle, meranti tends to easily tear out or splinter in jointing. And you may find brittleness in some boards. Pine Wood and Meranti Wood. You see, in the world timber trade, the wood of many species with similar characteristics can sometimes be lumped together and sold under one name. Pine trees grow around the world, not just in the U.S. Pine has a great deal of stiffness and… Previous Next. Crosscutting with either hand or power tools requires a fence or backing board on the exit side to prevent splintering, known as tearout. Makers of classical furniture loved genuine mahogany because it could be carved in intricate detail. Meranti holds paint well, too, but either fill first or use a good primer coat over its open grain. Meranti, unlike some tropical woods (teak, for instance), does not contain extractives or traces of silica, so all types of woodworking glues work well. Like Alder, it’s another wood with a hard skeleton and soft meat. Redwood is an attractive soft wood that can endure for a long time with proper care, while pine is cheaper and requires less maintenance. after the genus name means that several species in that genus share similar appearance and cha… Meranti represents a wood of world-wide commercial importance. Already milled, it is available as moldings and other interior trim parts. That's the story behind Philippine mahogany. Philippine or Lauan mahogany is another, somewhat generic term for meranti that is harvested and is available in abundance on a worldwide basis. In normal dry warm weather, it is suggested that seasoning for about one month is recommended. Colored gray or yellow, blending to reddish depending on where it's harvested, meranti ages to a golden brown with continued exposure to light. (Note: In botanical science, the letters spp. Regards. All Rights Reserved. Pine trees are considered a softwood tree, which means the wood is softer than hardwood varieties. Feed straight-grained wood into planer knives at a 90° angle. The grain may be slightly interlocked. WoodSolutions is an industry initiative designed to provide independent, non-proprietary information about timber and wood products to professionals and companies involved in project development and design and construction in In ideal conditions, a meranti tree can reach a 200' height and a trunk diameter of 6'. Smooth crosscuts require at least a 40-tooth saw blade. The White Meranti is available twice the price of pine, besides all that, it is far more durable for outdoor furniture and can be used as the best substitute for locally available hardwoods. Pros: It's low-cost, and it takes paint well, so it's great for kids' furniture. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Frequently called Philippine mahogany, this wood isn't mahogany at all. The Philippine Islands, as well as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia, produce a great variety of hardwoods. Meranti Wood Properties Density – Variable, depending on the group: Dark Red - 670 kg/m3 Light Red - 560 kg/m3 White - 705 kg/m3 Yellow - 660 kg/m3 Durability – Class 4 – Suitable for use only in continuously dry situations under cover, well ventilated, clear of the ground and fully protected from the weather and other dampness. Tropical vs. The Meranti Wood has the open grain, that needs to be Sanded then Priming before painting. Sanding or woodworking dust can cause irritation; eye and breathing protection is recommended when working with meranti. Meranti is a versatile wood with many subspecies, sources and purposes.