Category: wood

Water resistant wood or waterproof timber refers to wood that has basic or advanced water resistant properties. In other words, water resistant timber can survive in normal rainy conditions without going bad. This type of wood is particularly useful for making outdoor furniture, boats, ships, decks, and outdoor flooring.

Just because rain or excess water can harm wood doesn’t mean you cannot or should not use wood for outdoor furniture and similar purposes. This is where timber waterproofing comes in.

While some timber species useful for outdoor use are naturally water resistant, others can be treated to add waterproofing abilities to them.

Factors To Consider When Selecting Water Resistant Timber

Moisture Content

The moisture content in wood is an important factor to consider. Normally, wood has about 20-30% moisture content, which can increase when the wood is continuously exposed to moisture or rain without prior treatment.

Oxygen Content

The higher the oxygen content in the wood, the higher will be the probability for it to rot in the presence of moisture.

Maintenance Needs

Some timber species need more maintenance compared to others and can start rotting in the constant presence of water if not maintained properly.

Wood Species

As we mentioned before, some wood species are more water resistant than others. So, select your wood wisely and only after considering all your requirements.

Top Waterproof Timber Species

Following are some of the best timber species that are naturally resistant to water and moisture and are suitable for rainy places.

1. Afrormosia

Afrormosia is an Africa-native hardwood that is commonly used as an alternative to teak, mainly because of its outstanding durability and resistant capabilities. The timber is widely used for making outdoor flooring, patio furniture, boats, etc. And it costs nearly half the price of teak.

2. Teak

Teak Wood is one of the most popular and widely used hardwood species. It also has extraordinary moisture resistance, which makes it the preferred choice for outdoor furniture, boats and flooring. However, the price is generally higher than alternatives.

3. Cedar

Cedar also has decent wood resistance. However, cedar has many varieties, with different cedar species having different resistance capabilities.

4. Mahogany

Natural mahogany is very durable and has good resistance to moisture and rot. It is usable both indoors and out.

5. Oak

Some species of oak, including white oak, are rated as very durable and show outstanding resistance to water. This is why they are widely used for boatbuilding.

6. Redwood

Redwood is primarily used for making furniture that shows great durability and is particularly attractive in appearance.

How To Make Wood Waterproof (Timber Waterproofing Methods)

Wood treatment is the process of externally treating the timber to enhance its natural properties, including water resistance, rot resistance, strength, and durability. The following four methods are known to help increase the water resistance capability of wood.

Waterproof Staining

Staining refers to the process of using stains to color the wood to make it waterproof to some extent. Waterproofing stains are usually made by combining a sealing agent with the dye. Depending on the type and quality of stain, it can make the wood waterproof for up to many years.

Waterproofing Sealing

In the sealing process, sealants are used instead of stains. Sealing only provides resistance to moisture but not so much for heavy water exposure or rains.

Waterproofing Finishing

Finishing is another commonly used method to provide water protection to wood intended for outdoor furniture and floors. This involves finishing the wood using a specialised coloring agent that adds both a new glossy layer to the wood as well as enhances its resistance to water and rot.

Waterproofing Stabilizers

Wood Stabilizers work differently than finish or stain. They do not make the wood durable on the outside but react chemically with the alkali inside the wood in order to make the wood more waterproof. Also, it is organic and, therefore, safe for humans.

How To Protect The Wood From Water/Moisture Damage?

Besides staining or sealing the wood, there are a number of things you can do to ensure a long life for your patio furniture and outdoor flooring. These include:

Regular Maintenance: Even though the outdoor furniture and decks are usually made with water-resistance wood, taking good care of them is important to ensure a long life. Besides regular cleaning, you need to keep the moisture away from wood. If the furniture has become wet, clean or wipe it immediately. If there are open pores in the wood, use paint or polish to close them.

Use covers: Using a plastic cover on your outdoor furniture and wood objects, especially during rain and extreme heat, is another good way to protect the timber from damage and ensure a long life.

To buy the best quality water and rot resistant wood, timber and slabs at the lowest price online with doorstep delivery to your location, contact CameroonTimberExportSARL.

What Are The Different Types of Hardwood  Species?

Hardwood is one of the two most common types of wood, with softwood being the other. It is the wood produced by dicot trees and found in temperate and tropical forests. In Africa and beyond, there are hundreds of hardwood species found and used. In this article, we will talk about top hardwood types/species that are commonly used and exported by us.

Here at CameroonTimberExport Sarl, we deal in a wide range of hardwood species. Before you choose wood for your particular project, make sure to read about the different types of hardwood to make a sound decision. Here are a few details about the most popular hardwood properties of different species that we sell/export at CameroonTimberExport.

Types of Hardwood Species

Afrormosia	Bilinga	Azobe
Black Limba (Frake)	Bubinga	Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata)
African Mahogany	Makore	Meranti
Niangon	Okan	Okoume
African Padauk	Sapele	Teak
Merbau	Moabi	Movingui
Wenge	Zebrawood	Zebrano
Afzelia (doussie)	Black Ebony	Iroko

 

Some of the Most Common Types of Hardwood Species For Woodworking

Afrormosia Hardwood Properties

 

Common Name(s)	Afrormosia, Afromosia, African Teak
Scientific Name	Pericopsis elata
Distribution	West Africa
Tree Size	100-150 ft (30-46 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Color	yellowish-brown
Grain/Texture	straight, can also be interlocked
Resistance/Durability	very durable
Workability	Easy to work
Price/Availability	medium to high
Uses	Boatbuilding, veneer, flooring, and furniture

 

Azobe Hardwood Properties

 

Common Name(s)	Ekki, Azobe
Scientific Name	Lophira alata
Distribution	West Africa
Tree Size	100-150 ft (30-46 m) tall, 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8 m) trunk Diameter
Color	Dark reddish or violet brown
Grain/Texture	interlocked, with a coarse texture
Resistance/Durability	very durable
Workability	Difficult to work
Price/Availability	medium to high
Uses	Bridges, marine applications, decking, boatbuilding, and flooring

 

Bubinga Hardwood Properties

 

Common Name(s)	Bubinga, Kevazingo
Scientific Name	Guibourtia spp. (G. demeusei, G. pellegriniana, G. tessmannii)
Distribution	Equatorial Africa
Tree Size	130-150 ft (40-45 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter
Color	pinkish red to a darker reddish-brown
Grain/Texture	straight to interlocked
Resistance/Durability	moderately durable to very durable
Workability	Easy to work
Price/Availability	moderately priced
Uses	Veneer, cabinetry, turnings, inlays, fine furniture, and other specialty items

 

Black Ebony

 

Common Name(s)	Gaboon Ebony, African Ebony, Nigerian Ebony, Cameroon Ebony
Scientific Name	Diospyros crassiflora
Distribution	Equatorial West Africa
Tree Size	50-60 ft (15-18 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1 m) trunk diameter
Color	jet-black
Grain/Texture	straight but can also be interlocked
Resistance/Durability	very durable
Workability	Difficult to work
Price/Availability	very expensive
Uses	Small/ornamental items, such as piano keys, pool cues, carvings, musical instrument parts, and other small specialty items

 

Iroko Hardwood Properties

 

Common Name(s)	Iroko
Scientific Name	Milicia excelsa, M. regia (syn. Chlorophora excelsa, C. regia)
Distribution	Tropical Africa
Tree Size	100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Color	yellow to golden or medium brown
Grain/Texture	medium to coarse texture
Resistance/Durability	very durable
Workability	Easy to work
Price/Availability	moderate price
Uses	Veneer, flooring, boatbuilding, turned items, furniture, cabinetry, and other small specialty wood items

 

African Mahogany Hardwood

 

Common Name(s)	African Mahogany
Scientific Name	Khaya spp. (Khaya anthotheca, K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, K. senegalensis)
Distribution	West tropical Africa
Tree Size	100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Color	very pale pink to a deeper reddish-brown
Grain/Texture	straight to interlocked grain, with a medium to coarse texture
Resistance/Durability	moderately durable
Workability	Easy to work
Price/Availability	low to moderate
Uses	Veneer, furniture, boatbuilding, plywood, turned items, and interior trim

 

Makore Hardwood

 

Common Name(s)	Makore
Scientific Name	Tieghemella heckelii, T. africana
Distribution	Western and Middle Africa (from Sierra Leone to Gabon)
Tree Size	180-200 ft (55-60 m) tall, 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) trunk diameter
Color	Heartwood pink or reddish-brown
Grain/Texture	straight grain
Resistance/Durability	very durable
Workability	easy to work
Price/Availability	mid-range
Uses	Veneer, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, plywood, furniture, turned objects, musical instruments, and other small wooden specialty items

 

African Padauk Hardwood Species

 

Common Name(s)	African Padauk, Vermillion
Scientific Name	Pterocarpus soyauxii
Distribution	Central and tropical west Africa
Tree Size	100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Color	pale pinkish-orange to a deep brownish-red
Grain/Texture	straight
Resistance/Durability	excellent decay resistance, durable to very durable
Workability	Easy to work
Price/Availability	moderately priced
Uses	Veneer, musical instruments, furniture, flooring, turned objects, tool handles, and other small specialty wood objects

 

Sapele Hardwood Properties

 

Common Name(s)	Sapele, Sapelli, Sapeli
Scientific Name	Entandrophragma cylindricum
Distribution	Tropical Africa
Tree Size	100-150 ft (30-45 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Color	golden to dark reddish-brown
Grain/Texture	interlocked and sometimes wavy
Resistance/Durability	moderately durable to very durable
Workability	troublesome to work with machines
Price/Availability	moderately priced
Uses	Veneer, cabinetry, flooring, plywood, furniture, turned objects, boatbuilding, musical instruments, and other small wooden specialty items

 

Teak wood Properties

 

Common Name(s)	Teak
Scientific Name	Tectona grandis
Distribution	tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Tree Size	100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
Color	golden or medium brown
Grain/Texture	straight
Resistance/Durability	high resistance, very durable
Workability	Easy to work
Price/Availability	very expensive
Uses	Ship and boat building, exterior construction, carving, veneer, furniture, turnings, and other small wood objects

 

We supply wood logs, sawn timber and wood slabs in all the hardwood species listed above. If you need more information about our hardwoods, quality, and price, feel free to contact us.

When you are out in the market looking to buy wood for construction, firewood or any other purpose, it helps to know about the different types of wood so that you can make the right decision.

Not all woods that we see around us, in objects like furniture, tabletops, etc., are solid wood. Because of the increasing cost and scarce availability of natural wood, the concept of manufactured or engineered wood has become very popular in recent years.

Based on your particular woodworking project and/or requirements, you can go with either solid or manufactured wood, given that you know the differences between the two. So, manufactured wood vs solid wood: which is better? well to answer this question we must first understand about both types of wood.

What is Solid Wood?

Solid Wood is the natural lumber that we get from trees. Traditional lumber has been in use for making furniture, wood objects, crafted items, etc. for centuries. However, the scarce availability of this type of wood in recent years has forced us to use manufactured wood instead.

Based on origin and growth, solid lumber can be divided into two major types: hardwood and softwood.

Solid type of wood obtained from trees is cut into timber, which is then used for making furniture, flooring, doors, and other purposes. Common and most used types of solid lumber include oak, maple, mahogany, birch, ash, pine, teak, rosewood, and cherry.

The easiest way to identify natural wood is by its grain structure, which is beautiful and unique. Grain structures of two different wood species are never alike. Solid lumber is durable and strong and usually has good resistance to moisture, insects and rot. Another way to identify wood is by its color, which may range from light yellow to dark brown or red, depending on the species. Solid wood obtained from natural jungles is non-renewable and therefore costly.

What is Manufactured Wood?

Engineered or manufactured wood is a product that looks and acts similar to wood, but is manufactured in factories/laboratories instead of being obtained from natural trees.

Since there is only so much natural wood available in the world, the price of solid wood furniture is generally very high and cannot be afforded by everyone. This gave birth to the concept of manufactured wood.

Plywood, HDF (high-density fibreboard), particleboard, veneered board, and MDF (medium-density fibreboard) all are examples of engineered woods. These are easily available and cost effective.

Engineered wood is manufactured by adding two or more different materials, including particles, veneers, fibres, and thin wood boards, together. The use of engineered wood is common in a variety of low-cost woodworking projects, ranging from furniture to plywood, windows, doors, desks, kitchens, bookshelves, wardrobes, and others. Surfaces of items are furnished with solid wood layers or veneers to achieve a more natural look. These are usually water-resistant and easy to clean and work with.

Veneered boards have natural wood veneer on surfaces, which make them look and feel exactly like real wood.

Manufactured Wood Vs Solid Wood

Now that you have a good basic idea of solid lumber and manufactured wood, let’s discuss the various differences between the two, and which is most suited for what purpose.

Manufacturer

Solid timber wood is obtained directly from trees, while engineered wood is manufactured by combining different boards, participles, fibres, veneers, etc.

Types

Common examples of solid lumber include oak, pine, maple, teak, and mahogany. Common types of engineered wood include MDF, particleboard, plywood, and veneered board.

Durability and Life

Solid wood has high durability and objects last for decades. Composite wood is comparatively less durable with limited life.

Moisture Resistance

Solid lumber is resistant to moisture, but cannot stand up to constant exposure. Engineered wood is more resistant and can withstand exposure to moisture.

Hardness

Solid lumber may be very hard or soft, depending on the species. Manufacturer woods such as MDF and HDF are comparatively harder and denser.

Availability

Solid wood is non-renewable and trees might take years to grow again. Manufactured woods are easily available as well as environmentally sustainable.

Cost

Since natural wood is scarcely available and has high demand, it’s much more expensive compared to engineered wood, which is readily available.

Now that you know everything about the basic differences between solid and engineered wood, we hope you are ready to make better buying decisions for your woodworking projects. Most of the furniture and objects we see and use today are made from composite wood.

If you are looking to buy top-quality, all-natural solid lumber obtained sustainably from African forests, visit our official website to explore our wide range of African timber and wood species. We at CameroomTimberExportSarl are the largest supplier of raw African wood logs and timber to customers in over 15 countries and at the best price guaranteed.

Oak is a very popular hardwood used in a variety of projects, ranging from flooring to furniture, cabinetry, crafting, joinery, paneling, and decking. Though the use of oak timber is common since pre-colonial times, the wood is equally great for building modern pieces of stylish furniture. Because of its high durability, hardness and great looks, it is a first choice timber for woodworkers around the world. In this article, you can find in detail about the basic oak wood properties, characteristics and uses.

CameroonTimberExportSarl is a top supplier of premium quality oak wood logs and timber and provides delivery worldwide. Contact us to buy the best timber at an affordable price.

Oak Wood Properties & Characteristics

It is one of the most versatile, beautiful and useful woods. There are over 60 varieties of Oak, each with its own distinct color and hue. Of all types of oak, red and white are the most popular. It is a hardwood since it comes from a dicot or leafy tree. Hardwoods are generally stronger/harder than softwoods, but that may not always be the case.

Let’s dive deep into the different properties of oak wood.

Origin & Source

The wood comes from oak trees, which have numerous varieties. Even red oak can be further categorised into northern red, southern red oak tree, and other varieties based on the source tree location. Similarly, white oak can come from a variety of trees, including Quercus alba, Arizona white, or swamp white. These trees can grow up to 100 feet in height and have a diameter of around 50-inches.

Colour

Since it has many varieties, the colors may also vary significantly. While white oak has a beige-brownish hue, red oak has a darker, rosy color. Sometimes, two pieces from the same tree can have different colors based on where it has been extracted from. The sapwood is usually lighter than the heartwood, but not always.

The color may also darken with age, but the change is usually too subtle to notice.

Grain Texture

Another important property of oak wood is its grain texture, the grain pattern of this wood type is quite unique, which makes it rather easier to recognise. The wood has straight grain and an uneven texture, which can be identified easily. Specific species have specific grain texture. For instance, white oak has closed pores, which make the wood resistant to water. Red oak, on the other hand, has open pores. Another thing that is easy to notice in the grain of oak is the presence of dotted lines across the board. These are present in both red & white oak.

Strength & Resistance

Based on hardness, it is considered one of the strongest woods. White oak has a Janka rating of 1,360 while red oak has 1,290 Janka hardness. The higher the Janka rating, the harder the wood is. In terms of hardness, oak is superior to even walnut and cherry. More hardness means the furniture and items last longer and are sturdier.

Water resistance is another one of the major properties of oak wood, especially white oak which has decent resistance to water and damage because of its closed pores and higher Janka rating. The wood is quite durable and highly resistant to wear and tear insects, and fungal infestations. Oak wood furniture and construction have a fairly long life and will not go to landfill anytime soon, which also makes it eco-friendly. It can also be used as outdoor furniture because of its decent resistance to water and sunlight.

Workability

Oak is not only easy to recognise but also it’s quite easy to work with, which is another reason why woodworkers around the world prefer this timber type for furniture making. It stains, finishes, glues, and polishes well. The wood works easily with cutting tools and other machinery. It can be easily cut and split and is easy to use as a veneer. Because of its straight grain, nailing and screwing oak is also easy.

Because of high tannic acid content, it can sometimes react with iron, causing discoloration.

However, oak is rather heavy because of its high density.

Oak Wood Properties in a Nutshell

• Common Name(s): White Oak
• Scientific Name: Quercus alba
• Distribution: All over the world
• Tree Size: Up to 100 ft tall, 3-4 ft (1-1.2 m) trunk diameter
• Average Dried Weight: 47 lbs/ft3 (755 kg/m3)
• Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .60, .75
• Janka Hardness: 1,350 lbf (5,990 N)
• Modulus of Rupture: 14,830 lbf/in2 (102.3 MPa)
• Elastic Modulus: 1,762,000 lbf/in2 (12.15 GPa)
• Crushing Strength: 7,370 lbf/in2 (50.8 MPa)
• Shrinkage:Radial: 5.6%, Tangential: 10.5%, Volumetric: 16.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Oak Wood Uses

Oak wood properties such as its strength, durability, and workability, makes it a common choice of timber for furniture-making as well as for flooring and other construction work. Basically, it can be used in a wide range of applications, ranging from basic work such as home construction to specialty projects like crafting and making kitchen appliances. Since white oak has decent resistance to water and moisture, it is also commonly used for making wine barrels and boats.

Other common uses of oak wood/timber include flooring, cabinetry, interior trim, boatbuilding, wine barrels, and veneering.

Where to Buy Solid Oak Timber Online

We at CameroonTimberExportSarl supply our sustainably-grown local and the best quality oak timber wood to dealers and individual woodworkers worldwide. We take pride in being one of the leading suppliers of oak wood in Central Africa. Our top-quality wood products combined with our top-notch service are made to fit your particular project needs and preferences.

If you are looking to buy top quality, authentic, and sustainable oak timber wood, contact us to shop now. For all your enquiries about the wood quality, availability, species and price, you can email us at info@cameroontimberexport.com or Whatsapp +237 683 37 5541.

Whether you are a professional woodworker, someone who works in construction, or are a wood enthusiast, the timber identification technique is the ability to identify one wood species from one another that might be valuable to you. There is no way you can learn to identify all kinds of lumber in just one day or by reading just one article, but this article about ‘the best ways to identify top & common wood species can be a good start.

Note that it may not always be possible to 100% correctly identify wood type, no matter how much knowledge or experience you have. As Eric Meier of Wood-database.com says, “The more accurate and thorough my identification process becomes, the more certain I become that I really cannot guarantee that I am correct.” Keep that in mind when you start your timber identification journey.

Timber Identification On Different Basis

There are multiple ways of Timber identification, which work best when used combinedly.

1. Identifying Wood Based on Solidity

Solidity is the characteristic of how solid the lumber is. Before we begin to identify the wood species, it is important to first confirm that it is actually solid wood or natural wood, and not manufactured by men. Here are some ways to do that:

• The endgrain of man-made or manufactured lumber is easily distinguishable from the endgrain of natural lumber.
• Real wood has growth rings clearly visible on freshly sawn surfaces.
• Veneered wood usually has repeating grain patterns.
• Check if it is plastic painted or printed to give a wood-like appearance.

2. Timber Identification Based on Color

Another quick and easy way of lumber identification is through its color and appearance. Here is how.

• Natural timber color vs stained: First of all, verify whether the color on the wood you’re trying to identify is natural or not.
• Weathered wood: Mostly, wood gets darker with age. So, if you’re trying to identify an aged/old wood, chances are the color would be darker (or occasionally lighter) than the original lumber color. The best way to confirm this is by sanding a corner of the wood item to unveil its original color.

3. Identify Wood Type Based on Grain

If the lumber is fresh or unfinished, it is possible to identify the type by looking at the wood grain. Here’s how.

• While most hardwoods have an open, porous texture (some exceptions such as maple are there), softwoods will generally have a perfectly smooth surface.
• Quartersawn vs plainsawn: Many times, it’s possible to identify wood grain patterns based on how the timber has been cut.
• Some wood species have unusual or specific figures on their freshly sawn surfaces, which make them easy to identify. Soft maple, for instance, has curly grain patterns located closely together.

4. Timber Identification Based on Weight & Hardness

The weight of one wood species will almost always be different from the weight of other species. So, you can identify timber based on its dry weight, hardness and density.

• If possible, try to weigh the wood and then compare it to commonly known wood species based on weight.
• Measure the lumber length, width, and thickness, and calculate its density in order to figure out weight per unit volume.
• To get an idea of the wood hardness, try cutting a corner with your fingernail.

5. Timber Identification Based on Origin & History

It is also completely possible to identify a wood based on its origin and history. So, ask yourself questions like where did the lumber come from and how old is it in order to find out the type.

• Based on the wood origin, it is possible to identify whether the wood was processed locally or imported from someplace else.
• If the wood came from a certain timber mill or carpenter, it is likely to identify the type based on the common types of wood that the mill or carpenter uses.
• Similarly, wood can be identified based on its age. Some species such as Brazilian Rosewood, for instance, are no longer commercially available because of CITES restrictions.

6. Other Timber Identification Factors – odor, uses, etc.

Wood can also be identified based on other factors such as odor and wood applications. For example, red oak and maple are usually the common choices for hardwood flooring. Similarly, many lumber species have their distinct scent, which can be used to identify them.

So, by now, you must have a quite good idea about how to identify wood type based on different factors such as weight, color, strength, hardness, uses, odor, etc. If you are still not sure, do contact us to help identify the type of your Timber.

CameroonTimberExportSarl is a top exporter and supplier of premium quality African wood timber and logs in Cameroon, Africa. You can buy all top quality African timber in a variety of species at wholesale price directly from us and get delivery to all locations anywhere in the world.

The timber species we supply include but are not limited to Afromosia, Anigree, Azobe, Bilinga, Bubinga, Black Limba, Doussie, Ebony, Ironwood, Iroko, Ekop-naga, Ekop-beli, Mahogany, Merbau, Makore, Meranti, Maobi, Okan, Ovangkol, Okoume, Rosewood, Pine wood, Padauk, Pachyloba, Sapele, Tali, Teak, Wenge, Zebrawood, and Zebrano.

For enquiries about price, availability, and delivery to your location, call us today +237 683 37 5541.

Live edge wood slabs are a fast-growing trend among interior designers who love to blend contemporary designs with natural objects like live wood furniture. Applications of natural edge wood can be seen in both home and workplace settings. In fact, no interior design magazine is complete without some live edge wood objects. If you are wondering what it is, how and where it is used, and why, you’ll find answers to all these questions here.

One of the major purposes of using live edge slab is to make furniture and other objects for home/office design is to give a more natural, rustic appearance to an otherwise all-modern interior. And they blend beautifully with each other. These are generally easy to work with and can be painted, oiled, glued, and finished in almost every style and to fit every setting.

At CameroonTimberExportSarl, you can find and buy both finished and unfinished wood slabs for projects ranging from construction, home furniture, decor and DIY projects. We supply timber slabs and wood logs to businesses and individuals all over the world. Contact us today to check availability in your location/country.

What are Live Edge Wood Slabs?

A natural edge wood slab is a piece of wood that has the tree’s natural edges, including the bark. The wider the tree trunk, the wider will be the live edge slabs produced from it. Since the middle section of the tree is usually the widest, this is where the widest slabs come from.

The term “live edge” means that the slab retains the living part, i.e. the outer edges or rings, of the tree in order to give it a more natural look. A natural slab will usually have the rough tree bark intact on both sides.

Live Edge slab is widely popular and quite expensive

Natural edge slabs are getting a lot of popularity these days. They don’t just look beautiful but also have a unique character that cannot be duplicated. Unlike manufactured timber, each live edge slab is unique and an exact replica of it is nearly impossible to produce. Another reason for the increasing popularity is that they look wonderful when mixed with modern design for the interior of a place. People love the natural appearance they give to the place.

As a natural, raw part of a tree, live edge slabs are usually very strong, durable and have a long life. Their immense popularity and unbeatable strength properties are the reasons why these slabs are usually very expensive. However, there are also cheaper alternatives such as live edge Pine wood.

What are the uses of Natural Edge Wood Slabs?

While natural edge slabs are most commonly used for building centerpieces such as tabletops and countertops, it doesn’t mean that they cannot be used for other creative woodworking projects. Here is a list of some examples in which live edge slabs is used extensively.

1. Natural Edge Wood Table

2. Natural Edge River Table

3. Live Edge Bartop

4. Natural Edge Countertop

5. Live Edge Shelves

6. Headboard

7. Coffee Table

8. Natural Edge Artwork

9. Mantle

10. Live Edge Bench

As I said, there is practically no limitation to what you can do with a slab. We have seen people using these slabs to build mirror frames, benches, and other things.

Choosing a Live Edge Wood Slab

Live edge slabs are available in wide varieties, and each slab has different properties than the other. So, you should be careful while choosing the right slab for your project. While the cheaper slabs are less durable and have basic strength qualities, the more expensive ones are usually stronger and more durable.

If you are confused, you can contact us to discuss your project requirements and find out the best wood slabs for you.

How to Buy the Best Quality Wood Slabs

Are you looking to buy the quality live edge slab at affordable prices, you’ve just found it. At CameroonTimberExportSarl, we locally manufacture and process these slabs, which are the best in quality and priced economically to fit the budget of our customers. You can also order for custom live edge slabs online.
Contact us today with your requirements.

For most of us, when we hear the word ‘teak’, before comes the image of a timber that is dark or golden-brown in color with creamy whitish sapwood. But, did you know there are over 10 varieties of teak wood on the basis of origin alone, with color ranging from dark brown to red and golden? In this article, you can read about all the different types of teak wood, along with their properties and uses.

CameroonTimberExportSarl is a leading provider of top-grade African timber, logs and wood, with shipping all over the world. We export and supply all major types of teak wood to our customers in the UAE, Malaysia, Vietnam, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia and other countries. Contact today for a quote.

What is Teak Wood?

Teak is one of the most widely used timbers, for it is strong and very durable. Also, it’s one of the most expensive woods because of its outstanding popularity and huge demand.

Teak Properties:

• Scientific Name: Tectona grandis
• Distribution: Southern Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, etc.), tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
• Janka Hardness: 1,070 lbf (4,740 N)
• Shrinkage: Radial: 2.6%, Tangential: 5.3%, Volumetric: 7.2%, T/R Ratio: 2.0

The teak wood has a golden brown heartwood and white-yellowish sapwood. The grain is usually straight, sometimes interlocked. The presence of natural oils might make surfaces oily, but doesn’t affect the wood’s workability. Teak has the highest level of durability and is considered the best wood in terms of resistance to rot, decay and termites. The high silica content of Teak might cause cutting edges to get blunt. Freshly milled teak has a leather-like scent.

Teak Wood Applications & Common Uses

Because properties of teak wood includes strength, durability and water-resistance, it is widely popular and used across a variety of projects, such as:

• Marine works, including railings, decking, cabins, boat building, etc.
• Making high-quality outdoor furniture
• Railings of decks
• Veneering
• Flooring
• Shelving
• Exterior construction
• Making decorative items
• Carving
• Turnings
• Making cutting boards & countertops
• Making doors & windows

Different Types of Teak Wood

Let’s now start talking about the interesting varieties of teak. On the basis of quality, there are three types, while on the basis of quality, there are 13 different variety of teak lumber available in the market.

Teak Wood Types on The Basis of Grade

1. Grade A Teak

As the name suggests, this type of teak is that of the highest quality. The timber is extracted from the heartwood (very center) of a fully matured teak tree. It can be easily identified by its identical golden-brown color. The presence of natural oils makes the wood highly resistant to weather, water and insects. It is the most expensive type of teak wood.

2. Grade B Teak

This type of teak wood is extracted from the outer heartwood of the tree, which is not as great in quality as the Grade A teak, but still has decent durability, strength and resistance properties. It is lighter in color and is also less expensive.

3.Grade C Teak

This is the lowest quality teak with limited or zero durability. It is derived from sapwood or mature tree logs. The color is pale white to creamish. It is soft and very cheap.

Types of Teak Wood on The Basis of Origin

4. Burma/Burmese Teak Wood

Burmese teak wood is derived from an old-growth tree that grows naturally in the forests of Myanmar and Burma. It is one of the best quality teak available in the market. The color is dark golden and gets darker with age. It has high amounts of natural oils, which make it very durable and strong.

5. Thailand Teak Wood

Thailand teak wood is the best quality teak on the planet. It’s even better than Burmese and Indian teak woods. However, it’s no longer available for common use because of rare availability.

6. Indian Teak Wood

In terms of quality, Indian teak wood is one of the best. It is extracted from the old-growth forests of India. It is even better in quality and durability than Burmese teak. However, it is very expensive because of huge demand and limited availability.

7. South American Plantation Teak Wood

These teak trees are planted in South America and have a low life span. The teak quality, color and other properties are very similar to that of African teak wood.

8. African Plantation Teak Wood

This type of wood is derived from trees planted in Africa. The low growth span makes this wood have a limited amount of natural oils, which means their strength and durability is only decent. The color of the wood is light brown with widely distributed grains.

9. South American Teak Wood

Also known as garapa, this teak wood is very durable and has a golden-brown color. But, it is not natural teak.

10.Brazilian Teak Wood

Commonly known as Cumaru, this is also not real teak wood. However, it’s very durable and has a high content of natural oils, which makes it very resistant to insects and water.

11. African Teak Wood

Iroko, which is often called African teak, is not real teak wood.

12. Indonesian Teak Wood

This type of teak is native to Indonesian forests. The wood is highly resistant to weather and soil, which makes it suitable for outdoor projects. The quality is not as good as the Burma teak, but still very good. It is brown in color.

13. Chinese Teak Wood

Chinese teak wood is golden in color. It’s also not a real teak and is famous by the name Robinia wood, however, the properties are similar to that of real teak.

Now, you can buy as much industry-grade wood as you need in wide varieties directly from CameroonTimberExportSarl at the best wholesale prices with delivery to your doorstep. Whether you are looking to buy teak wood for personal use or to resell, we can offer the lowest price with a quality guarantee. Contact us today to know more.