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Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionDark Red Meranti Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Dark Red Meranti 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 nameShorea spp.
Janka hardness800 lbf
Average dried weight42 lb/ft³
Best fitBoatbuilding
Overview
Why choose Dark Red Meranti?
Dark Red Meranti is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Southeast Asia. Common uses include boatbuilding, veneer, concrete forms, general construction, interior furniture and plywood.
Scientific nameShorea spp.
DistributionSoutheast Asia
ShrinkageRadial: 3.9%, Tangential: 7.8%, Volumetric: 12.5%, T/R Ratio: 2.0
DurabilityReported decay resistance falls between moderately durable and non-durable, and insects can attack the wood.
Dark Red Meranti colour, grain, and figure
Colour is usually a deep reddish or purplish brown, and white resin streaks are common.
The grain may be straight or interlocked. The texture is coarse with low natural luster.
Working notes
It is typically easy to work, but interlocked grain can cause problems in planing, and the wood is reported to steam bend very poorly. Small amounts of silica in some species may dull tools slightly.
Serious reactions are rare, but Shorea meranti is reported to irritate the eyes, throat and skin.
Dark Red Meranti should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Dark Red Meranti
Best projects
Common uses include boatbuilding, veneer, concrete forms, general construction, interior furniture and plywood.
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 Dark Red Meranti 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.
Dark Red Meranti FAQ
What is Dark Red Meranti best used for?
Common uses include boatbuilding, veneer, concrete forms, general construction, interior furniture and plywood. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Dark Red Meranti 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 Dark Red Meranti?
The buying section on this page links to any Dark Red Meranti Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.