Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionLight Red Meranti Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Light 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 hardness550 lbf
Average dried weight30 lb/ft³
Best fitPlywood
Overview
Why choose Light Red Meranti?
Light Red Meranti is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Southeast Asia. It is useful when the project calls for plywood, interior furniture, general construction, concrete forms, as well as a number of other general utility purposes
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 nameShorea spp.
DistributionSoutheast Asia
ShrinkageRadial: 4.1%, Tangential: 7.8%, Volumetric: 12.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.9
DurabilityReported as non-durable in regard to decay resistance, and is also susceptible to insect attack.
Light Red Meranti colour, grain, and figure
Expect color can be highly variable depending upon the species: ranging from a pale straw color, to a darker reddish brown.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: has a coarse texture with medium to large pores. Grain is sometimes interlocked.
Working notes
In the shop, typically easy to work, due to its low density. Though some rough or ragged surfaces may be left while sanding, and it may be necessary to sand up to a finer grit to obtain a satisfactory finish.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Meranti in the Shorea genus has been reported to cause eye, throat, and skin irritation.
Light Red Meranti should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Light Red Meranti
Best projects
Plywood, interior furniture, general construction, concrete forms, as well as a number of other general utility purposes
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 Light 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.
Light Red Meranti FAQ
What is Light Red Meranti best used for?
Light Red Meranti is best considered for plywood, interior furniture, general construction, concrete forms, as well as a number of other general utility purposes. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Light 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 Light Red Meranti?
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.