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What is Meranti (Dark Red)?
Meranti, also known as Dark Red Meranti, is a versatile type of wood from Southeast Asia, particularly recognized for its brown to pink heartwood with many color nuances. This wood type is ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications, including doors, skirting boards, stairs, furniture, and facade cladding.
Origin
Meranti is the commercial name for a range of botanical species from the genus Shorea in the family Dipterocarpaceae. This wood type grows in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, mainly in Malaysia and Indonesia.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Shorea spp. |
| Origin | Tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, mainly Malaysia and Indonesia |
Appearance and Structure
Meranti trees reach a height of 30 to 40 meters, with branch-free trunks of 10 to 30 meters.
The diameter varies from 70 to 180 cm, sometimes up to 300 cm. The heartwood is brownish-red to pink with a gray-pink sapwood that stands out clearly.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Height | 30-40 meters |
| Branch-free trunk | 10-30 meters |
| Diameter | 70-180 cm (sometimes up to 300 cm) |
| Heartwood color | Brownish-red to pink |
| Sapwood color | Gray-pink |
Durability
The heartwood of Dark Red Meranti ranges from moderately durable to durable (natural durability class II-IV), while the sapwood is not durable (natural durability class V).
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Durability class (heartwood) | II-IV |
| Durability class (sapwood) | V |
Drying and Processing
Meranti dries easily and is simple to work with, both machine and hand tools. The wood is suitable for various applications, including making veneer and plywood.
| Drying | Description |
|---|---|
| Drying time | Easy to dry |
| Processing | Easy to work with |
Finishing
Meranti can be well-finished with both solvent-based and water-based products. For outdoor applications, a pre-treatment is recommended to extend its lifespan.
| Finishing | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-treatment | Recommended for outdoor applications |
Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Average density | 550 kg/m³ |
| Radial shrinkage (60-30% r.h.) | 0.6% |
| Radial shrinkage (90-60% r.h.) | 0.9% |
| Tangential shrinkage (60-30% r.h.) | 1.2% |
| Tangential shrinkage (90-60% r.h.) | 1.8% |
| Movement (60-30% r.h.) | 1.9% |
| Movement (90-60% r.h.) | 2% |
| Bending strength | 76 N/mm² |
| Modulus of elasticity | 11,000 N/mm² |
| Compressive strength (parallel to the grain) | 45 N/mm² |
| Shear strength | 8.4 N/mm² |
| Hardness (Janka) – transverse | 3,705 N |
| Hardness (Janka) – longitudinal | 3,475 N |
Commercial Dimensions
| Thickness | Standard widths |
|---|---|
| 16 mm | 80/105/130 mm |
| 20 mm | 80/105/130/155/180/205 mm |
| 26/40/52/65 mm | 80/105/130/155/180/205/230/280/305 mm |
| 32/45/80 mm | 105/130/155/180/205/230/280/305 mm |
| 105 mm | 130/155/180/205/230/280/305 mm |
| 45 mm | 105/130/155/180/205/230/280/305 mm |
Applications
Meranti is versatile and suitable for various applications:
- Indoor: Doors, skirting boards, stairs, furniture, floors.
- Outdoor: Windows, doors, balconies, railings, facade cladding.
- Other: Plywood (Lauan – Indo Hardwood), shipbuilding, organs, turnery, barrels, interior furnishings.
Conclusion
Meranti (Dark Red) is a durable and versatile type of wood suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Its attractive color and easy workability make it a popular choice for various construction and furniture projects.