Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionEkki Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Ekki 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 nameLophira alata
Janka hardness3,220 lbf
Average dried weight66 lb/ft³
Best fitFlooring
Overview
Why choose Ekki?
Ekki is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is West Africa. Common uses include flooring, decking, marine applications, boatbuilding and bridges.
Scientific nameLophira alata
DistributionWest Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 8.0%, Tangential: 11.1%, Volumetric: 18.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.4
DurabilityThe wood is very durable and resists insect attack well.
Ekki colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood is a dark violet-brown or reddish brown. Light mineral deposits in the pores form small but noticeable streaks across the wood.
Interlocked grain, coarse texture, low natural luster.
Working notes
It is hard to work, owing to density and to interlocked grain that can tear out. Ekki also dulls cutting edges noticeably.
Serious reactions are rare, but skin irritation has been reported from ekki.
Ekki should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ekki
Best projects
Common uses include flooring, decking, marine applications, boatbuilding and bridges.
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 Ekki 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.
Ekki FAQ
What is Ekki best used for?
Common uses include flooring, decking, marine applications, boatbuilding and bridges. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Ekki 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 Ekki?
The buying section on this page links to any Ekki 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.