Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionWhite Meranti Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
White 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 hardness1,050 lbf
Average dried weight37 lb/ft³
Best fitGeneral construction lumber
Overview
Why choose White Meranti?
White Meranti is an imported specialty hardwood. Grows across Southeast Asia. Common uses include general construction lumber, interior furniture, boatbuilding, veneer and plywood.
Scientific nameShorea spp.
DistributionGrows across Southeast Asia
ShrinkageRadial: 3.3%, Tangential: 6.9%, Volumetric: 8.9%, T/R Ratio: 2.1
DurabilityDurability differs between species, but the wood is usually reported as non-durable against decay and open to insect attack.
White Meranti colour, grain, and figure
Freshly cut heartwood is pale yellowish orange, ageing to golden yellow-brown.
The texture is coarse, and the pores are medium to large, and the grain is sometimes interlocked.
Working notes
White meranti is easy to work in itself, but its high silica content severely blunts tools, so choose carbide-tipped cutters. Interlocked grain can also cause trouble in planing, and sawn or planed surfaces can end up fuzzy or ragged.
Serious reactions are uncommon, but Shorea woods such as meranti have caused irritation of the eyes, throat and skin.
White Meranti should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for White Meranti
Best projects
Common uses include general construction lumber, interior furniture, boatbuilding, veneer and plywood.
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 White 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.
White Meranti FAQ
What is White Meranti best used for?
Common uses include general construction lumber, interior furniture, boatbuilding, veneer and plywood. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is White 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 White Meranti?
The buying section on this page links to any White Meranti 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.