Shorea wood

Types of shorea wood

Shorea wood refers to the general category of hardwood products derived from shorea trees. However, several products are just called shorea wood, and here's an overview of the types.

Meranti

Meranti is a variably-colored timber in reddish, yellowish, or brownish shades. Light red meranti wood resembles mahogany, but it's cheaper and easier to get than mahogany. Also known as red meranti, light red meranti is from the light red meranti part of the shorea robusta tree. Light red meranti wood is common in tropics and near tropics and has a Janka hardness of 880, meaning it's about as hard as black walnut.

Seraya

Seraya wood is amber to bright red in color and is derived from the shorea species like shorea albida, shorea argentifolia, and shorea brunoniana. Seraya wood is light to moderately heavy with a Janka hardness range of 750 to 950, depending on the tree species. It is a dense hardwood with a fine, close texture and straight grain. Seraya wood is often used in construction and where affordable yet durable wood is needed.

Red balau

Also known as shorea reddingia, red balau wood is light to moderately heavy. Its Janka hardness is in the range of 1090 to 1400, depending on how old and which part of the tree the wood was harvested from. Balau is a very durable type of shorea wood that can last in the outdoors for decades without any treatment. It often withstands exposure to moisture, insects, and other wood-degrading elements.

Blonde balau

Blonde balau is a lighter variant of red balau and resembles the properties and qualities of blonde meranti. Its Janka hardness is 930, meaning blonde balau is softer than many hardwoods and easy to work with. Blonde balau wood is durable and weather-resistant, making it good for outdoor use.

Bangsaw

Bangsaw wood, also referred to as bangkirai or yellow balau, is relatively light for a dense hardwood. Its Janka hardness is in the range of 900 to 1600. Bangsaw resembles teak but is more affordable and easier to find. The wood is durable and has good resistance to termites and rot.

Design of shorea wood

Shorea wood comes as solid wood and engineered wood. It is exported and sold in planks, boards, beams, or as assembled furniture.

As solid wood

As solid wood, shorea timber is mostly cut into boards, planks, or beams and used in its natural state. As solid wood, meranti replaces mahogany in many uses, such as in making furniture, cabinetry, and millwork. Seraya wood is too hard to work with, and the only way to use it as solid wood is by using power tools. The wood is suitable for producing high-end furniture that needs to stay affordable. Balau wood is hard and dense and is used for making outdoor furniture that needs to withstand the elements of weather. Bangsaw wood is distributed as solid wood for similar uses as balau.

Engineered wood

Shorea wood can also be made into engineered wood, where its veneer is glued onto a substrate made of cheaper wood types. Engineered shorea wood is commonly used in making plywood, which is then used in constructing furniture and other items. When used as engineered wood, shorea wood might be treated to protect it from expanding and warping due to changes in humidity. It might also have its grains stained to give it a more attractive appearance.

As applied furniture

Shorea wood is derived from tropical trees belonging to the Dipterocarpaceae family. Due to its affordability, availability, and workability compared to other hardwoods, shorea wood is often used as a substitute for pricier hardwoods in making furniture. The wood's natural oily properties make it suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms.

Much like mahogany, shorea wood has a straight to interlocked grain, giving it a uniform, attractive appearance. Shorea wood has a medium fine texture and is luminecent when polished. Meranti wood is often used to make cabinetry, paneling, and furniture, and its lightness makes it ideal for these projects. Meranti and seraya woods are often used interchangeably.

Specification & Maintenance of shorea wood

Key specifications

Shorea wood is characterized by certain attributes that influence its appearance and physical qualities. Some of these key attributes include:

• Color: Shorea wood ranges from light to dark reddish-brown, depending on the specific species and how it's been cut. Meranti, for instance, can be very light like mahogany or very dark reddish brown.
• Grain: The wood has a straight grain, which gives it a relatively uniform appearance across different pieces. Some species exhibit interlocked grain that gives the timber a decorative appeal.
• Texture: Shorea wood typically has a medium to fine texture. When polished, the wood displays a natural sheen, especially when the user oils it.
• Density: Shorea wood is classified as a dense hardwood. Meranti has a Janka hardness of about 900, while seraya has a Janka hardness of about 1500.
• Stability: The wood is relatively stable compared to other hardwoods. It doesn't tend to expand or contract much, which makes it ideal for furniture making that often changes due to humidity conditions.
• Durability: Shorea wood is considered highly durable. Certain species like balau are naturally rot-resistant and thus ideal for outdoor settings.

How to maintain and preserve

Shorea wood is a highly durable and hard-wearing material. It requires minimal maintenance compared to softer woods. However, it can be treated with appropriate maintenance practices so it lasts even longer with retained appeal.

• Cleaning: Clean shorea wood using a soft, damp cloth to remove debris and dust. Avoid using harsh chemicals as they might damage the wood finish.
• Oiling: Shorea wood is naturally oily, and the oil helps protects it from moisture. Users can periodically apply a high-quality wood oil like tung oil or danish oil to nourish the wood, keep it looking fresh, and enhance its water-resistance properties. Oiling also deepens the natural color of the wood, which makes it even more attractive.
• Sanding: Although highly durable, shorea wood can eventually become scratched or worn due to heavy use. Users should light sandshorea wood with fine-grit sandpaper to remove surface blemishes. Use a sander that spins in the same direction as the wood grain to avoid creating noticeable marks on the wood.
• Sealing: Users should first treat shorea wood with a wood sealer shortly after installation. A wood sealer protects the wood from moisture, stains, and other damaging elements. Consider using a penetrating sealant that soaks into the wood rather than sitting on top of the surface. Sealing is highly important for shorea wood used in outdoor applications.
• Stain: Shorea wood ranges from light to dark brown, and users can enhance its appearance with a suitable wood stain. Preferable, users should select a stain that highlights the wood's natural grain rather than masking it.

Scenarios of shorea wood

Interior applications

Shorea wood has certain attributes that make it ideal for a range of applications both indoors and outdoors. For interiors, its smooth finishing, appealing wood grain, and light color theme make it great for furniture, flooring, wall panels, and doors.

Exterior applications

Shorea wood also works excellently for exterior applications due to its strength and potentially rot-resistant properties. It is suitable for decking, railing, garden furniture, siding, pergolas, and other outdoor structures like fences.

Marine applications

Some shorea wood species such as balau have been used in making boat parts. However, the use is not widely popular, and there are more commonly applicable wood types for marine plywood.

High-end cabinetry and millwork

The wood's rich appearance and toughness make it applicable in high-end millwork projects where an expensive appearance and durability are desirable.

Utility wood

Other than in decorative applications, shorea wood is used where a degree of aesthetics is required but not highly sought after. It may also be used for making inexpensive plywood and fiberboard, which is widely applied in construction and packaging.

Industrial uses

Shorea wood has certain properties that make it applicable in the paper industry. Shorea wood has a high cellulose content and is thus very suitable for pulping. However, it has not commonly been used in this application.

Q&A

Q1. What are the attributes of shorea wood that make it suitable for outdoor applications?

A1. Shorea wood has attributes like high density and natural oils that make it resistant to rot, insects, and extreme weather conditions. It is highly durable and uses little maintenance over the years, making it ideal for outdoor furniture, decking, and other structures.

Q2. How can buyers distinguish genuine shorea wood from low-quality substitutes?

A2. Genuine shorea wood is often hard and heavy. It is also relatively more affordable than mahogany and teak, which it sometimes is a substitute for. Meranti, seraya, balau, blonde balau, and bangsaw wood belong to the shorea wood category, though they may be distinct species, they also share similar characteristics.

Q3. Is shorea wood ethically sourced, and what are the sustainability considerations?

A3. Buyers should ensure that their vendors source their shorea wood from suppliers that offer FSC-certified wood. Shorea wood that is not sourced ethically contributes to deforestation and loss of biodiversity in tropical forest ecosystems.

Q4. Does shorea wood require special treatment to maintain its quality over time?

A4. Though shorea wood is highly durable and virtually maintenance-free, periodic oiling, sealing, and other maintenance practices help preserve its appearance and extend its lifespan to the max. Treatments like applying teak oil enhance the wood's natural color and protect it against moisture and UV damage.

Q5. What are some common uses of shorea wood other than for making furniture?

A5. Other than inshorea wood furniture, manufacturers use the wood for flooring, cabinetry, marine applications, and exterior structures. Thanks to its durability properties, manufacturers prefer using it for building industrial and utility products as well as outdoor and indoor products.