What is padauk?
The Wood Guide · The wood register
Tropical hardwood · referencePadauk
No other wood species comes off the saw so vividly. Fresh padauk is almost coral red — and then slowly darkens to a deep reddish brown.
- Pterocarpus soyauxii
- 700–800 kg/m³ · Janka 7,200–8,000 N
- Very durable, even untreated
Padauk
No other wood species comes off the saw so vividly. Fresh padauk is almost coral red — and then slowly darkens to a deep reddish brown.
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From the rainforests of Central Africa
Padauk — also spelt padouk — comes from Africa and Asia. The African variety, Pterocarpus soyauxii, is by far the most traded.
The tree grows mainly in the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa, with large populations in Cameroon, Gabon and Congo. It reaches 30 to 50 metres, with a straight, branch-free trunk 60 centimetres to 1.2 metres in diameter — which yields wide, knot-free boards.
As a tropical hardwood, origin is a real point of attention. Ask your supplier where the wood comes from and how the forest is managed.
Colour, texture and lustre
The colour is its trademark — and it changes.
Colour
The heartwood is bright orange to red when fresh, and after exposure to light and air darkens to a deep reddish brown or purplish brown. The sapwood is cream-coloured to light brown.
Texture and grain
Fine to medium in texture, with a straight to slightly wavy grain — works cleanly and takes a fine finish.
Lustre
A moderate natural lustre, which comes out more strongly after finishing.
If you choose padauk for its vivid colour, be aware that it will be gone after a few months. The darkening is irreversible — see it as maturing, not discolouration. A UV-filtering lacquer slows it down, but does not stop it.
Mechanical properties
| Property | Value | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 700–800 kg/m³ (at 12% moisture) | Heavy — comparable to robinia, heavier than oak |
| Bending strength (MOR) | 110–125 N/mm² | Very high; barely sags |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 11,000–13,000 N/mm² | Stiff enough for spans |
| Compressive strength | 60–70 N/mm² | Holds up well under vertical load |
| Hardness (Janka) | 7,200–8,000 N | Exceptionally hard-wearing — harder than oak |
Padauk offers exceptional resistance to weathering, insects and wear. With that combination of colour and mechanical properties, it is one of the better tropical hardwoods for outdoor use — comparable to what you read in our hardwood guide.
What padauk is used for
Decking and boardwalks
The classic outdoor use: durable, hard and weather-resistant. More options in wood for your deck.
Cladding
Suitable for cladding because of its weather resistance and aesthetic value — although the colour darkens there too.
Outdoor furniture
Heavy and sturdy, with a lively colour that deepens over the years.
Indoors and instrument making
Indoors, the colour stays intact for longer. Padauk turns up in furniture, veneer and in the making of musical instruments.
Our furniture is made of pressure-treated spruce, Douglas fir, teak and other hardwood. Padauk is in our register because it comes up regularly with decking and cladding — and because that colour simply stands out.
Frequently asked questions about padauk
Does padauk stay so bright red?
No. Freshly sawn, padauk is bright orange to red; light and air darken it to a deep reddish brown to purplish brown. That is normal and irreversible — see it as maturing.
How hard is padauk?
Very hard: 7,200 to 8,000 N on the Janka scale. That is harder than oak and comparable to robinia — highly resistant to wear.
Can padauk go outdoors untreated?
Yes. Padauk is naturally very durable and needs no treatment to survive outdoors. Untreated, it does turn grey, just like other tropical hardwoods.
What should I watch out for when working it?
Its hardness: use sharp carbide-tipped tools and always pre-drill. Padauk dust can cause irritation in some people, so work with dust extraction and a dust mask.
What is a European alternative?
Robinia comes closest in hardness and durability, with a short supply chain from European forests. The colour is very different, though: olive brown instead of coral red.
Padauk in perspective
Padauk is a reference species in our register — wood we do not work with ourselves, but know well.
Have a question about your project? Just ask — we're happy to help.
Pterocarpus soyauxii — Ragesoss, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Pterocarpus soyauxii — Philipp Zinger, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pterocarpus soyauxii — Philipp Zinger, CC BY-SA 3.0