Category: wood

Engineered wood is artificial wood that is made by using natural wood (softwoods and hardwoods) and a variety of additives like adhesives. Different types of engineered wood are considerably cheaper than natural wood because it is made from waste wood (coming out of sawmills) and rejected wood but can be equally strong or even better.

To increase its strength and durability, engineered wood is often treated through various processes. Also, these woods can be manufactured in custom sizes to fit specific requirements of certain premises.

Note: CameroonTimberExportSarl is a leading supplier and global exporter of top quality African timber sawn wood and logs with guaranteed on-time delivery. Contact us to enquire.

Benefits of Engineered Wood

Engineered wood has many benefits over natural wood timber, such as:

• These can be stronger than some natural wood species; Can have more durability and better insect resistance;
• Looks almost the same as natural wood;
• It comes in custom sizes and can be manufactured to fit any place;
• Engineered wood is less costly than natural hardwood;
• Suitable for a range of purposes, from flooring to furniture, construction, interior design and more;
• Engineered wood is sustainable because it is generally made from the waste parts of a tree that are generally rejected when making timber.

9 Different Types of Engineered Wood

Depending on quality, strength and design, different types of engineered wood are categorised as follows:

1. Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
2. Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL)
3. Oriented strand board (OSB)
4. Plywood
   • AB
   • AC
   • CDX
5. High-density fiberboard (HDF)
6. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
7. Composite board
8. Cross-laminated timber (CLT)
9. I-Joists

1. Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

LVL is made by compressing wood veneers together using resins and glues. This engineered wood is very strong and highly dense and can be used in a variety of projects, including framing. Veneers in the LVL wood are stacked such that grain is in the same direction, which is why it has a single strength axis and can take the load in one direction.

2. Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL)

This type of engineered wood is made by combining small wood strips – called strands – in a dense pattern such that the result is a high-quality, strong and dense wood product. LSL is primarily made by using wood fiber and resin. It can easily take heavy loads and is about 3 times costlier than natural wood because of the high demand.

3. Plywood

Plywood is a wood sheet that is made by combining thin layers of wood (plies) or veneer together using glue. Plywood is generally one of the most popular types of engineered wood and a common choice for builders. This composite wood is made by combing resin and fiber sheets together and has extraordinary strength and stability because of its cross-grain structure.

The two sides of plywood are made with veneers, which can be of different types depending on the quality. The common types of veneers used in plywood are A, B, C, D, and X, where A-grade veneer is of the highest quality and the D-grade is for the lowest quality, while X indicates plywoods that are suitable for external use.

CDX plywoods, for instance, have C-grade veneer on one side and D-grade on the other side and are suitable for outdoor use.

4. Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

This is a type of wood sheet or board that is formed by compressing wood strands or flakes together with adhesives. OSB sheets are primarily used in flooring, roof decking and other load-bearing applications. OSBs can be further categorised into other types based on strength, moisture resistance, and whether or not the board is sanded.

5. High-Density Fiberboard (HDF)

Fiberwood is a type of engineered wood made using fiber and glue. Based on the density, it can be of different types, including HDF, MDF and LDF.

High-density fiberboard, or commonly known as hardboard, is made by combining wood pulp with glue in a densely packed structure. It is strong, hard and can be used in a variety of projects including for making curved items.

6. Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

MDF is formed by combining fibers (made by breaking down hardwood and softwood pieces) with wax and resin into panels under high temperature and pressure. It is highly dense and can withstand moisture and insect attacks, depending on the quality.

7. Composite Board

Any wood that is formed by combining two different items is composite wood or board. MDF and OSB are popular examples. Composite engineers boards can have both wood fiber and plastic content and are sustainable and cost-effective.

8. Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

Cross-laminated timber is engineered wood made by combining the layers of solid sawn timber panels in a cross form using glue such that each layer is perpendicular to the next. The result is a stronger wood with a flexible design and excellent insulation capabilities.

9. I-Joists

I-joists are a special kind of engineered wood that is designed to take heavy loads. These are suitable to use in all kinds of building structures, especially in areas with heavy loads, including floors and roofs.

For all your timber needs for composite wood and engineered wood, contact CameroonTimberExportSarl to buy premium quality wood timber at the best price online with worldwide delivery.

External Timber cladding refers to the use of wood on another surface, usually walls and exterior of a place. The use of timber adds strength, durability and natural beauty to the exterior walls.

If you are looking for the best wood for your next cladding project, you are at the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including the best wood species for cladding.

It is a type of popular finish for the exterior of buildings. It refers to attaching wood slabs to a primary structure (wall, etc.), generally to increase its strength and appearance.

It is made by processing wood to a certain profile. Depending on the type of timber used in cladding and the profile, it can be of many types, such as v-groove, shiplap, shadow gap, half-lap, and others.

Since one of the reasons to use cladding is durability, lumber species with good natural durability and beauty are preferred for external projects. And thankfully, there are many options to choose from. A large number of timber species, such as European larch, have been found to be useful in building cladding for building exterior.

Though cladding is made from many other materials, wood is preferred because of its high durability as well as aesthetic appeal. Not just homeowners and public properties, many commercial properties are also increasingly using it as a great way to add both protection and appeal to their building exterior. On top of everything, it is also favourable to the environment as compared to many other building materials, which is another reason why people are being inclined to them.

Benefits of Using External timber cladding

• One of the primary reasons why people choose timber cladding is that it adds beauty and a natural look to the place.
• Also, it is sustainable and environmentally friendly as opposed to other construction materials.
• It’s easy to install, change, customise or replace.
• It can fit any budget, as cladding is available in a wide range of timber species.
• And last but not the least, it is also known to provide outstanding insulation against temperature, sound, etc.

Now, let’s come to the main point. What’s the best wood for cladding?

Top 5 Woods for External Timber Cladding

Depending on your budget and needs, you can choose from a variety of lumber options. Red Cedar, considered the most stable of the softwoods, is a good choice for cladding boards. Exterior wood cladding must not only match your building style and look but also should be durable enough. Depending on your location, the wood cladding must be strong enough to withstand natural elements like rain, sun, snow, wind, etc.

At the same time, it should have decent resistance to insect and fungal attacks. In addition to this natural durability, dimensional stability is key to ensure that the timber remains structurally sound and maintains its shape over time.

If you are looking for the best wood for your external cladding project, here are some of our best options.

Iroko

Native to the west coast of tropical Africa, iroko wood is extensively used for decking, flooring, furniture, and cladding. It’s often called African teak because of its teak-like look and properties. The hardwood looks beautiful in its yellowish-brown colour and has extraordinary strength and durability. It’s naturally resistant to insect attacks.

Iroko is one of the oldest wood species in Africa. Did you know many iroko trees live up to 500 years or more? The slow growth rate of these trees is one of the reasons why the timber is so strong and dense, making it a perfect choice of wood for exterior cladding.

Oak

Oak is highly durable and dense, including european oak, and can withstand a variety of insect attacks as well as natural phenomena. It is very tough and strong and lasts for decades, which make it a good choice for exterior cladding as well as a range of other exterior projects like furniture and flooring. Oak cladding, including european oak, also looks beautiful and has a unique appearance.

Sapele

Sapele is a West African hardwood found exclusively in tropical rainforests. It is primarily used in flooring, furniture, panelling and cladding. Being an exotic wood, Sapele can be expensive depending on where you buy it from.

Sapele looks somewhat like mahogany and gives a wonderful appearance when used in exterior furniture and cladding. It’s also exceptionally durable and has good resistance to rot and insects.

Zebrano

Famous for its unique, zebra-like appearance, Zebrano is a highly durable wood that not only looks good but is also quite strong. It originates in West Africa and is commonly used for flooring, furniture making and cladding. The wood is dark brown with natural zebra-like stripes. Zebrano is highly durable and can withstand all kinds of natural phenomena. It’s also naturally resistant to insect attacks.

Wenge

Wenge is a premium lumber like Zebrano. It grows in central and western tropical African and is widely used in furniture, flooring, cladding, among others.

Not only wenge wood looks exceptionally good in its natural dark brown colour with black streaks but also it’s extremely durable. The lumber is very hard, dense and naturally resistant to termite attacks.

Where to Buy Quality Wood for External Timber Cladding?

CameroonTimberExportSarl is a wholesale exporter of lumber in 20+ countries. We deal in a large variety of wood species, all produced, sawn and processed locally in our Cameroon mill. Contact us to buy the best quality wood for external cladding at the best price in the market.

When it comes to fence, cedar and pine are the two most popular materials to choose from, but choosing between them can be difficult.  Cedar Vs Pressure Treated Pine Fence both of them have their own pros and cons and Sometimes buyers end up buying both due to their unique characteristics.

This article will draw a clear line between cedar and pine wood with the aim of helping you make the right decision for your fence or any other woodwork.

What is Cedar?

Cedar (Cedrus) is not actually a particular species of wood, but it is a combination of several species of wood, including northern white cedar, western red cedar, Australian red cedar, Spanish cedar, fragrant red cedar, incense cedar, and many more. It is used very commonly for fences but it is also a popular choice for quality furniture making.

Cedar is used where great appearance and durability are required. Its qualities include. These qualities make it suitable for outdoor applications. However, the list of qualities doesn’t end here and these unique qualities separate it rest of the softwoods.

What is Pine Fence?

Along with chemical treatment, pine also requires pressure-treated to withstand the elements and other wear and tear. It loses its natural look and can have a pale green color in places.

Cedar Vs Pine Fence: Main Difference

Some of the key differences between Cedar and Pine Fence are engraved in the table below.

Pressure Treated Pine Fence Vs Cedar: Some Important Facts

Some other things that businesses and people will be interested to know are durability, lifespan, and environmental concerns.

If we talk about durability, then cedar is the stronger and more durable type of wood. It doesn’t require any special treatment and stands up well to the elements. Cedar also possesses a low chance of shrinking and warping.

Pine possesses the risk of warping, shrinking, and even buckling. It is not suggested for outdoor furniture. It can lose shape and color in just a few years. However, Pine is not on the losing side every time, pine got pressure-treated, and due to which it shows more resistance to the soil. That’s why people choose pine for fence posts.

It is important to know the lifespan of the wood before buying and using it, in the case of cedar and pine, cedar easily wins the debate with almost twice the lifespan. While the average lifespan of pine is 10 to 15 years, pine can live anywhere from 20 to 25 years. Meanwhile, it is suggested that whether you choose cedar or pine wood, keep checking and cleaning them regularly to increase their lifespan.

If the effect on the environment is a concern then, we would like to inform you that Cedar is one of the most eco-friendly options for you. It is because it doesn’t require any chemical treatment, but pine does.

Cedar Vs Pressure Treated Pine Fence: Which One Should you Choose?

Cedar and pine are good for making furniture but if you are looking for wood species for outdoor furniture then cedar is a better option. However, cedar is very expensive and hard to find compared to many other softwoods. Additionally, cedar is much better than cedar if you care about workability.

Neither Cedar nor Pine are waterproof and cannot resist constant exposure to water or moisture. However, cedar is preferred for the outdoor wooden stuff, and it is naturally rot-resistant and environment-friendly too.

So, the difference is clear and now it is time to place your order. Contact CameroonTimberExportSarl now to get more details about our wood species, availability, delivery, and prices.

CDX vs OSB, here is a brief comparison between two of the most common types of engineered wood popular these days. Engineered wood is made by combining real wood with other materials using glue or other adhesives. Engineered wood is not real solid wood.

It might be helpful to know about CDX and OSB engineered wood products, including their basic properties, characteristics, advantages, price, differences, and uses so that you can choose & buy the best-engineered wood for your project. Let’s start.

CameroonTimberExportSarl is a leading provider of premium-grade African wood and timber in a large variety of species. Contact us to buy quality timber at the best price online.

What is CDX?

CDX is veneer plywood that is made by combining multiple thin veneer sheets of wood together using glue and high pressure. C and D are representations of the quality/grades of either side of the plywood. While the C grade sheet is used on the top surface, D grade sheets are generally used inside. As you may probably assume, the grades of the wood are based on the veneer quality. The higher the grade means the better the wood quality.

The C and D grade woods used in CDX are of medium quality, of which the C grade sheet is better and is, therefore, used on the outer surface.

The letter “X” in CDX stands for exposure, which indicates the wood can withstand a little exposure to moisture and insect attacks, but not for a long duration.

CDX is quite strong and durable and is extensively used in bathrooms and other areas with humidity. However, CDX furniture and items should not be kept in direct exposure to rain for a long period.

What is OSB?

OSB stands for Oriented strand board and is made by compressing wood chips, resins and waterproof adhesive together into a sheet. Isocyanate glue and Phenol-Formaldehyde (PF) are two of the most common types of glue used to form OSB. While Isocyanate glue is generally applied in the inner core, Phenol-Formaldehyde (PF) is used on the outer layers.

Depending on the Quality and Use, Osb Wood Can Be Divided into the Following Four Categories:

OSB/1 – Average quality – suitable for general purposes such as indoor furniture.
OSB/2 – Medium quality structural panel – suitable for flooring, crating, and building panels.
OSB/3 – Good quality load-bearing boards – used mainly in humid conditions because of good moisture resistance.
OSB/4 – Very good quality heavy duty wood – used in humid conditions, for making load-bearing beams, floor trusses, and outside sheathing.

OSB vs. CDX – What is The Difference?

PROPERTIES	OSB	CDX
Weight	High	Low
Workability	Not so easy to work	Easy to work
Availability	Easily available	Available in short panels only
Water-Resistant	Good moisture resistant	Low moisture resistant
Price	Low	High
Uses	Roof sheathing, walls, floors	roof sheathing, flooring, and exterior walls

Applications

Let us compare CDX vs OSB on the basis of applications in which they are used, Both oriented strand board and CDX have different properties and features but they can be used for similar tasks.

Due to the strength and hardness of CDX, it is widely used for flooring purposes. The CDX remains undamaged even after applying a lot of pressure.

Osb on the other hand is more moisture resistant and is widely used for decking purposes. The oriented strand board does not get rotten even after long exposure to water, but a sheet of coating must be used over the edges, to prevent the absorption of water.

If you are looking to build a house with either OSB or CDX, you just can’t. Both the boards have different properties and are usable for different tasks altogether. So, it’s better to understand the pros and cons of both the wood boards before using them.

OSB vs CDX: Which One Should You Choose?

Both CDX and OSB are popular types of engineered wood. Which you should choose will entirely depend on your particular project and goals.

CDX is stronger than OSB but does not have high resistance to moisture. It is durable though and ideal for use in the roof sheathing, flooring, and other places of low humidity. Since it’s very strong and has a cross structure, the wood can withstand the considerable weight.

OSB usage is ideal in places with medium humidity. It is not as strong as CDX but can withstand exposure to moisture for a short period. The most common uses are for walls, floors, and roof sheathing.

Neither OSB nor CDX are fully waterproof and cannot withstand constant exposure to water or moisture. OSB can withstand moisture for a longer period because of its gapless structure and the presence of resin inside, but it may change shape with time and exposure to moisture. CDX has low resistance to moisture, however, treated CDX is better, more durable and has improved resistance to termites and rot.

Contact us at CameroonTimberExportSarl to know more about our wood species, availability and price.

Wood is one of the most used natural resources in the world. It grows and is used everywhere. Depending on the availability and demand of wood, certain timber species can be more expensive than others.

There are a number of factors that determine the price of wood. These include demand, scarcity, strength, durability, usability, workability, etc. the more rare the wood, the more expensive it is likely to be, given that it has a good usability and high demand in the market.

In this article, we are going to talk about some of the most expensive woods in the world.

Top 6 Most Expensive Wood In The World

CameroonTimberExportSarl is a reputed exporter of premium quality and rare African wood timber to customers around the world at wholesale prices. Contact us to know more about our wood species.

African Blackwood

African blackwood is arguably the most expensive wood on the planet. It grows exclusively in dry savanna regions of central and southern Africa and is often completely black. The sapwood is pale yellow and clearly distinguishable from the heartwood that is exceptionally dark. The wood has a straight grain with fine, even texture. It has been rated as extremely durable and has high decay resistance but only moderate resistance to insects and borers.

Even though African Blackwood is not easy to work with, it has great demand because of its scarce availability. It is primarily used for making premium musical instruments such as guitars and clarinets, tool handles, and a variety of turned objects.

Ebony

Gaboon Ebony or African Ebony is one of the most expensive wood in the world and can be sometimes even more costly than African Blackwood depending on the availability and demand in some regions. It is usually jet-black, with a straight grain. Ebony wood  is highly durable and has good resistance to termites and insect attacks.

Because of its high density and hardness, Ebony can be difficult to work with. Nevertheless, it remains high in demand, mainly because of the small size of the tree and high demand.

Lingam Vitae (Iron wood)

Lingam Vitae, also known as Ironwood in some regions, is a tropical wood of trees of the genus Guaiacum. The heartwood is generally olive-brown or black in color, with an interlocked grain and a very fine texture. It is very durable and commonly used for outdoor purposes ranging from furniture making to tool handles, decorative items, bearings, and turned objects. The wood is very hard with good resistance to insect attack. It has high demand and rare availability, which makes it one of the most expensive wood in the world.

Bubinga

Bubinga is a hardwood found in Equatorial Africa. The heartwood color range from red to dark brown and has purple or black streaks. The grain is interlocked and the wood has a fine, uniform texture. Bubinga wood  is rated as moderately to very durable and is known to be resistant to termite and borer attacks. It is generally easy to work with. The timber price can range from moderate to high, depending on the availability and type.

Agar wood

Agar wood is premium wood found in tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It’s primarily known for its distinct and pleasing aroma that is also known to have medicinal properties. In some regions, Agar wood can be costlier than gold, mainly because of its scarce availability. Common uses include fumigation of premises, making scents, etc.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is another expensive type of wood  known for its outstanding aromatic properties. The wood is considered religious in some parts of Asia, including India. Besides religious purposes, sandalwood is widely used for making perfumes. The wood smell and flavour last for many years. It’s not easily available and is rated as one of the most expensive timbers in the world.

CameroonTimberExportSarl deals in a large variety of some most expensive woods along with some very rare timber species, including all types of African wood species such as African blackwood, Cameroon ebony, Bubinga, and others. Call us or send an email to enquire about our wood species, availability and price. We deliver to all major locations around the world.

Ebony is one of the premium and expensive timbers, which is primarily used for making high-quality furniture, cabinets, musical instruments, and other wood objects. black ebony wood has over 10 species, scattered around different parts of the world. One thing that is common in almost all ebony wood types is their dense structure and high durability.

Whether you are looking to buy the best quality ebony or just want to know more about one of the strongest timbers in the world, you’re at the right place.

CameroonTimberExportSarl is a premium exporter of top quality African timber species and wood logs to woodworkers all over the world. Contact us to know mor e about our wood species, availability and prices.

Ebony Timber Introduction

Ebony is a hardwood found in many parts of the world. It’s strong and has good resistance to termites and insect attacks. Ebony has a natural black or dark brown color, which looks good on any object made from it. The stripes of the wood are generally black or dark brown. The Janka score of the hardest Brazilian ebony is 3,690, which makes it one of the strongest woods on the planet.

Some of the most famous species of Ebony include Gaboon Ebony (African Ebony), Macassar Ebony, Brown Ebony, Ceylon Ebony, Mauritius Ebony, and others.

Ebony trees have an average height of 20-30 feet and a lifespan of more than 500 years.  The wood is so hard and dense that it does not float on top of the water.

Ebony lumber  is not always readily available and can be very expensive depending on the demand and availability in a specific region.

Ebony Wood Properties: Pros & Cons

There are some properties that almost all the ebony wood types share. These include hardness, durability, termite resistance, and appearance.

Appearance/color: Ebony can be easily distinguished based on its unique appearance and color. It has a natural dark appearance, with color ranging from jet black to dark brown, depending on the species.

Durability: Ebony timber is known for its dense structure and high durability, which make the wood quite resistant to insects, termites and moisture. Furniture and other objects made from ebony require little maintenance and would easily last a hundred or more years.

Strength and Hardness: Ebony is a really hard wood and has great strength. In fact, hardness is one of the main ways to identify ebony. The wood is ideal to be used in places with high load requirements.

Ebony grain and texture: Ebony generally has a straight grain with uniform texture, which makes it both attractive and easy to work with.

Workability: Though most species of Ebony have a straight, uniform grain pattern, some might have irregular grain, which can sometimes make it difficult to work, especially with hands and small tools. However, it works fine with electric machines and is easy to glue, paint, and polish.

The biggest disadvantage of Ebony wood is its high price because of its rare availability.

Availability: Even though Ebony has over 10 species and grows in all parts of the world, its slow growth rate (12 to 24 years) is the reason behind its scarce availability.  Also, the wood is produced by limited manufacturers, it is not readily available and is very expensive.

Price: Ebony is one of the most expensive woods in the world. Since it has outstanding durability and strength properties, it is always in high demand. But, the limited supply of Ebony makes it expensive to buy.

From CameroonTimberExportSarl, you can buy top-quality African Ebony at the best price online. We provide doorstep delivery in Canada, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and all other countries in Europe and the Middle East.

Ebony Wood Types

Ebony has the following 10 major species:

1. Ceylon Ebony – evergreen, 60 to 85 feet tall, big leaves, jet-black heartwood, smooth texture, very durable and decay-resistant
Distribution: Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India

2. Gaboon Ebony/African ebony – evergreen, 16 to 60 feet tall, termite-proof, dark grey stripes
Distribution: African Savannah

3. Macassar Ebony – Up to 65 feet tall, wider brown streaks, easy to work with
Distribution: Sulawesi, Indonesia

4. Pale moon Ebony – Up to 115 feet tall, yellow fruits, yellow heartwood, pale white sapwood, black and white stripes, very durable, moderate insect resistance
Distribution: Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia

5. Coromandel Ebony – jet black heartwood, light brown sapwood, leaves and bark have medicinal properties
Distribution: Sri Lanka and India

6. Mauritius Ebony – up to 65 feet tall, dark to light green leaves, black while heartwood, white sapwood, Straight grain, Moderate Rot Resistance
Distribution: Mauritius

7. Mun Ebony – black and brown stripes, medium brown heartwood, pale yellow sapwood, straight grain, uniform texture, low to medium rot resistance
Distribution: Vietnam and Laos

8. Myrtle Ebony – Up to 130 feet tall, white and red flowers
Distribution: Queensland, Australia

9. Queensland Ebony – used for cabinet making, low to medium rot-resistant
Distribution: coast of Queensland and Northern NSW

10. Brazilian ebony – 50 to 75 feet tall, very hard, heavy, straight grain, nearly black color,
Distribution: Brazil

Ebony Wood Uses

This wood is exclusively treated for making premium quality, expensive objects, including furniture items, musical instruments, turned objects, and decorative objects.

Ebony is a wood of choice for making high-quality, durable furniture items that would last very long. Since it is strong and looks really good, it is the perfect choice for making domestic use items. However, the high cost and rare availability of few types of ebony make it not so suitable for general use items.

It is extensively used for making musical instruments and parts, as it looks good, has outstanding strength and bends easily using steam bending.

However, because of the high cost of Ebony, Mahogany and Sapele are generally used as alternatives for making musical instruments.

Other than that, ebony wood type is also a great choice for building decorative objects. The wood has a fine texture and gives a great appearance and finishes well.

Looking for a reliable timber supplier to buy different types of Ebony wood from? Contact CameroonTimberExportSarl to explore and choose from our wide range of the best quality timber species offered at the lowest price with worldwide delivery.

While the sapwood is the outermost portion of a wood log and the first thing you see when you start cutting a tree, the heartwood is the inner wood present in the centre of a wood log and usually the most precious and useful part of it.

In this article, we will discuss in detail about heartwood vs sapwood, including the various differences between the two in terms of color, uses, workability, strength, and other properties.

What is Heartwood?

Heartwood is the innermost part of the tree. It is formed after the older sapwood cells start dying with age and turn into the heartwood. This keeps happening as the tree grows older. The heartwood becomes denser while the sapwood is reduced to a thinner layer.

The Heartwood is mainly formed of dead cells. Besides the dead cells, additional chemical compounds are also present in the heartwood, which contribute to making it stronger, durable and more resistant and are also responsible for the heartwood’s darker color.

What is Sapwood?

Sapwood is the outer part of a tree trunk. You can see it by removing the bark from a tree. It is formed by a thin layer of living cells called cambium. Sapwood is responsible for carrying water and minerals through the tree, from the roots to the tree crown.

Sapwood is almost always light-colored and is formed by new, living cells.

Heartwood vs Sapwood

Generally, it is possible to distinguish heartwood from sapwood based on the color, but not always.

Let’s talk about the various differences between sapwood and heartwood based on colors, uses and other factors.

Color

In most cases, the color of heartwood is dark brown to red, depending on the wood species. In some species such as mahogany, the color of heartwood darkens with age.

Most of the time, the color of sapwood is light yellow or white. The light color of sapwood is because of the high moisture content and the presence of living cells.

Strength & Durability

Heartwood is almost always stronger than sapwood. It contains little to zero moisture and has chemical compounds that can add to the wood strength. The durability and rot resistance of heartwood is also generally high. Because of their strength, heartwoods need less maintenance compared to sapwood.

Sapwood is not very strong and also not very durable or resistant to fungi and insect attacks. This is because of the high moisture content in the sapwood. It needs a lot of maintenance and can start rotting soon after coming in contact with moisture.

Workability

Heartwood is almost always the first preference for any woodworking project. This is because the wood is stronger, harder and has good resistance properties. It has a good appearance, can survive for a long time and needs little maintenance. However, because of hardness, not all sapwood species may be easy to work with.

Sapwood is not always a popular choice for woodworking. However, it’s used in some projects (mentioned below). The wood is rather soft and very easy to work with.

Difference Between Heartwood and Sapwood Based on Uses

As mentioned before, the heartwood is stronger and denser than sapwood. Also, it has more durability and exhibits resistance to decay, rot and insect attack. All these properties make heartwood perfect for use in furniture making, flooring, roofing, and a variety of other woodworking projects. It is also commonly used for plywood, boat building, musical instruments, turned objects, and more.

Sapwood is not as strong or beautiful as heartwood, which is why it is not generally used in modern woodworking projects. However, the use of sapwood in combination with heartwood or for making small parts of a bigger object can be seen. Also, beginners use sapwood to practice woodworking, as it is not expensive and is easily available.

Sapwood generally has a higher moisture content, which makes it not so suitable for woodworking. It is also more vulnerable to fungi and decay. Also, drying sapwood makes it shrink and reduces density.

These are some of the major heartwood vs sapwood differences by which you can clearly distinguish each other To purchase the best quality hardwood in all leading African timber species, contact CameroonTimberExportSarl. We export wood timber and logs to customers worldwide with a 100% quality guarantee.

African Mahogany vs Sapele, Here is a brief comparison between two of the most famous and hot-selling African timber species. Sapele is often used as a mahogany substitute because it looks the same and has properties similar to African Mahogany.

Here at CameroonTimberExportSarl, we have plenty of stock of both Mahogany and Sapele, which can be exported to your location anywhere in the world. CameroonTimberExportSarl is your best source to buy top quality African Mahogany at wholesale prices. All our timber is sourced from local timber producers who follow the best quality and sustainability guidelines.

If you are looking to know more about Mahogany and Sapele, along with their differences, you’re at the right place.

African Mahogany Vs Sapele

Traditionally, the price of African Mahogany has generally been higher compared to Sapele because of its high demand and extraordinary properties. However, Sapele has also been in high demand lately. Let’s discuss the difference between these two based on properties, demand, availability, price, color, and other factors.

#1 Differentiation On The Basis Of Properties

African Mahogany, also known as Khaya, has its distribution limited to West tropical Africa. Its tree is about 100-130 ft tall and has a 3-5 ft trunk diameter. Mahogany heartwood color may range from pale pink to dark red and sometimes has medium to dark red-brown streaks on it. The wood grain is straight to interlocked and the texture is medium to coarse. Mahogany is moderately durable to moisture and has decent rot/insect resistance.

Sapele is a hardwood found in tropical Africa. It’s tree is about 100-150 ft tall and has a trunk diameter of 3-5 ft. The heartwood is golden to dark red, with its color darkening with age. Ribbon-like and other patterns are common on quartersawn Sapele boards. The wood has interlocked or wavy grain with fine uniform texture. It is classified as very durable and has moderate insect resistance.

Hardness & Color

While African Mahogany has a Janka Hardness of 1,070 lbf (4,760 N), Sapele has 1,410 lbf (6,280 N) Janka rating, which makes Sapele harder than mahogany.

Workability & Drying

Mahogany is generally very easy to dry. Sapele, on the other hand, is difficult to dry, especially in the quartersawn.

Mahogany may have interlocked grain, which sometimes makes tearing difficult. However, it’s generally easy to work, and glues and finishes well. Sapele also has interlocked grain, which can lead to difficulty in machining operations. Also, the wood is known to react with iron, which leads to discoloration and staining. It’s easy to glue and finish.

#2 Differentiation On The Basis Usage

Mahogany is one of the most popular and used woods for both exterior and interior works. However, it has limited resistance to moisture and insect attacks, which is why it’s preferred for interior, veneering, plywood, furniture, and turned items. It is also commonly used for boat building.

Sapele is hard, heavy and quite dense and is the most suitable wood for flooring and exterior projects. Other common uses of Sapele timber include veneering, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, turned objects, boatbuilding, musical instruments, and other specialty wood items.

#3 Differentiation On The Basis Availability & Price

African Mahogany is available with a number of wood sellers and exporters and is rather easy to find if you know where to look. At CameroonTimberExportSarl, we sell Mahogany in a variety of custom timber sizes as well as mahogany slabs. Mahogany prices with CameroonTimberExportSarl are the lowest in the world.

Sapele is not as easily available as mahogany and can be priced moderate to expensive, depending on where you buy it from. We have the best-quality Sapele timber available in plainsawn, quartersawn, and veneer forms, which you can buy at wholesale prices right now.

Call us or send an email to info@cameroontimberexport.com to enquire about our timber species and place an order online in minutes. We deliver timber all over Europe and the Middle East, including UAE, Malaysia, Canada, Vietnam, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Panama.