Sapele rough sawn lumber
Warm reddish-brown alternative with furniture and millwork appeal.
View optionMerbau Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Merbau 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 nameIntsia spp.
Janka hardness1,840 lbf
Average dried weight51 lb/ft³
Best fitFlooring
Overview
Why choose Merbau?
Merbau is a imported specialty hardwood associated with From East Africa to Southeast Asia and Australia; (primarily New Guinea). It is useful when the project calls for flooring, furniture, musical instruments, turned objects, and other specialty wood items
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 nameIntsia spp.
DistributionFrom East Africa to Southeast Asia and Australia; (primarily New Guinea)
ShrinkageRadial: 2.9%, Tangential: 4.8%, Volumetric: 8.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.7
DurabilityMerbau is reported to be very durable, and resists both rotting and insect attack.
Merbau colour, grain, and figure
Expect has an orangish-brown color when freshly cut, which ages to a darker reddish-brown. Color between boards can be highly variable.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight to interlocked. Texture is coarse, with a moderate natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, glues and finishes well, though it can be difficult to saw due to gumming and dulling of teeth.
Merbau has been associated with mild allergic reactions: most common is skin irritation and a runny nose.
Merbau should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Merbau
Best projects
Flooring, furniture, musical instruments, turned objects, and other specialty wood items
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 Merbau 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.
Cherry lumber collection
Domestic warm-colour alternative when the customer wants easier sourcing and workability.
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.
Merbau FAQ
What is Merbau best used for?
Merbau is best considered for flooring, furniture, musical instruments, turned objects, and other specialty wood items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Merbau 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 Merbau?
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.