Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionImbuia Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Imbuia 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 nameOcotea porosa (syn.
Janka hardness970 lbf
Average dried weight41 lb/ft³
Best fitFurniture
Overview
Why choose Imbuia?
Imbuia is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Southern Brazil. It is useful when the project calls for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, boatbuilding, gunstocks, and turned objects
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 nameOcotea porosa (syn.
DistributionSouthern Brazil
ShrinkageRadial: 3.0%, Tangential: 6.4%, Volumetric: 9.5%, T/R Ratio: 2.1
DurabilityRated as durable; also moderately resistant to insect attacks.
Imbuia colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood color can vary substantially; typically medium to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish, golden, or olive-colored cast. Light grayish yellow sapwood is usually differentiated from the heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight, though many boards can exhibit wild or burl-like patterning. Medium to fine uniform texture with good natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, produces good results with both hand and machine tools. However, pieces with wild or irregular grain may present challenges in surfacing and other machining operations.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Imbuia has been reported to cause nose, throat, and skin irritation.
Imbuia should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Imbuia
Best projects
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, boatbuilding, gunstocks, and turned objects
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 Imbuia 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.
Imbuia FAQ
What is Imbuia best used for?
Imbuia is best considered for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, boatbuilding, gunstocks, and turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Imbuia 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 Imbuia?
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.