Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionKarri Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Karri 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 nameEucalyptus diversicolor
Janka hardness2,030 lbf
Average dried weight55 lb/ft³
Best fitConstruction purposes
Overview
Why choose Karri?
Karri is an imported specialty hardwood. Found in southwestern Australia. Used for construction purposes, plywood, cabinetry, furniture and flooring.
Scientific nameEucalyptus diversicolor
DistributionFound in southwestern Australia
ShrinkageRadial: 7.8%, Tangential: 12.9%, Volumetric: 20.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.7
DurabilityIt is rated durable to moderately durable, with moderate insect resistance but a vulnerability to termites.
Karri colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood runs from golden to reddish brown, now and then carrying an orange or purple cast, and it darkens with age.
Interlocked grain, with a uniform texture from medium to coarse.
Working notes
Karri is hard to work because of its density. Surfacing can also cause tearout, mostly on quartersawn faces.
Karri can cause skin irritation, though serious reactions are rare.
Karri should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Karri
Best projects
Used for construction purposes, plywood, cabinetry, furniture and flooring.
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 Karri 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.
Karri FAQ
What is Karri best used for?
Used for construction purposes, plywood, cabinetry, furniture and flooring. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Karri 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 Karri?
The buying section on this page links to any Karri 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.