Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBrownheart Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Brownheart is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameVouacapoua americana
Janka hardness1,880 lbf
Average dried weight62 lb/ft³
Best fitFlooring
Overview
Why choose Brownheart?
Brownheart is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Northeastern South America. It is useful when the project calls for flooring, heavy construction, turned objects, furniture, and cabinetry
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameVouacapoua americana
DistributionNortheastern South America
ShrinkageRadial: 4.6%, Tangential: 6.7%, Volumetric: 11.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
DurabilityRated as very durable; good insect resistance.
Brownheart colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is a medium to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish hue. Lighter brown lines (from parenchyma) mixed throughout give a contrasted appearance.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight to slightly irregular, with a uniform medium texture and moderate natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, moderately difficult to work on account of its density. Tends to blunt cutters.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Brownheart has been reported to cause skin irritation.
Brownheart should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Brownheart
Best projects
Flooring, heavy construction, turned objects, furniture, and cabinetry
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Brownheart from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Brownheart FAQ
What is Brownheart best used for?
Brownheart is best considered for flooring, heavy construction, turned objects, furniture, and cabinetry. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Brownheart beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Brownheart?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.