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′.
| 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 |
| Average overall strength and hardness | |
| Stable |
| 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 |
| Veneer and plywood | |
| Joinery | |
| Flooring | |
| Furniture and cabinetwork | |
| General construction | |
| Boatbuilding |
