Sapele Wood: Properties, Characteristics & Uses

sapele wood

sapele wood properties
Sapele was not so popular until the governments worldwide put an outright ban on the commercial exploitation of Mahogany, which is one of the world’s most popular and rare timber species. Not only Sapele is similar to Mahogany in terms of properties like color, strength, etc. but also it’s much cheaper and readily available, which makes it a viable alternative for industrialists and woodworkers worldwide. Same as Mahogany, Sapele can be used for a range of interior and exterior woodworking applications.

If you are here, you are probably looking to know more about Sapele wood properties, including the timber characteristics and uses.

Sapele Wood: Distribution and Basic Properties

sapele wood properties

Sapele belongs to the same botanical family as Mahogany and comparisons between mahogany vs sapele are made as they shares similar characteristics in terms of color, workability, etc. The distribution of Sapele trees is largely limited to West African countries including Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. The Sapele can grow to a maximum height of 100-150 ft (30-45 mt) and have a maximum trunk diameter of 1.5 m.

As mentioned before, most of the characteristics of Sapele are similar to that of Mahogany. These include the heartwood color, which is golden to dark reddish-brown and darkens with age, durability, and grain patterns. Because of the interlocking grains, Sapele can be relatively difficult to work with and can result in tearouts during machining operations like planing and routing.

Color & Appearance: Sapele heartwood is dark reddish-brown and gets darker with age. The interlocking grain pattern of Sapele wood can cause the heartwood to have ribbon patterns along with a variety of other figured patterns, such as wavy, quilted, and pommele. This dramatic figurative pattern is what makes Sapele an exotic looking timber.

Texture: The Sapele heartwood has a wavy, but fine uniform texture due to interlocked grain patterns, which are clearly visible on quartersawn timber and veneer. However, these anomalies in the texture can make it difficult to cut or mold the wood using machines.

Resistance: Because of similarities to mahogany, Sapele is also quite durable and has decent resistance to rot, insect, etc.

Other Physical and Mechanical Sapele Wood Properties

  • Janka Hardness – 1,410 lbf (6,280 N)
  • Average Dried Weight – 42 lbs/ft3 (670 kg/m3)
  • Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC) – .50, .67
  • Crushing Strength – 8,750 lbf/in2 (60.4 MPa)
  • Modulus of Rupture – 15,930 lbf/in2 (109.9 MPa)
  • Elastic Modulus – 1,746,000 lbf/in2 (12.04 GPa)
  • Shrinkage: Radial – 4.8%, Tangential: 7.2%, Volumetric: 12.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.5

Availability and Price

Even though Sapele has been placed on IUCN Red List because about 20% of the wood population was lost in the past few decades, it’s still the easiest and cheapest available variant to Mahogany. From CameroonTimberExport, you can buy African Sapele slabs, logs and timber form at the lowest price in the market with guaranteed on-time delivery to your location anywhere in the world.

Primary Uses of Sapele Wood

The above listed sapele wood properties makes it usable for a variety of woodworking projects, including as a high-quality and good looking replacement to Mahogany. Some of the best examples of Sapele timber applications include making fine furniture, boatbuilding, turned objects, cabinetry, paneling, flooring, veneering making, doors and windows, outdoor furniture, musical instruments, countertops, beams, and specialty items.

How to Buy Sapele Online (At the Lowest Price)

If you are looking for the best place to buy Sapele lumber, timber or veneer online at the lowest price with location shipping, contact CameroonTimberExportSarl. We are Africa’s leading exporter of top-quality sapele wood logs and timber and ship to most locations around the globe.

Contact us today to know more about our Sapele wood specifications, dimensions, quality, availability and price.

Different Types of Pine Wood & Its Uses

types of pine wood

Pine is a softwood that comes in a number of variants with different colors and other core features. As a softwood, Pine wood is flexible but also durable. It is often used as a less expensive variant to timbers such as teak, which is one of the costliest woods for furniture making. If you are more curious about pine and its variants, here you’ll find out all about Pine wood, its variants and uses.
types of pine wood

4 Major Pine Wood Variants in Detail

Based on the color and other core pine wood properties, we have 4 major types of pine wood, which include white pine, western yellow pine, southern yellow pine, and red pine.

1. White Pine Wood

white pine wood

As the name suggests, this category of pine trees are white in color, i.e. have a white or pale yellow sapwood, while the heartwood is light brown. Other characteristics of white pine wood include low density, even grain, high durability, fine texture and small resin canals. Thanks to its high durability, the wood is resistant to splitting or swelling.

White pine can be further categorised into four species, which include sugar pine, western white pine, eastern white pine and limber pine.

Sugar Pine: The most popular and common species of pine is also the most valuable. It has a coarse texture and large resin canals. It’s commonly used in exterior and interior trim work, for making frames, moldings and musical instruments.

Western White Pine: Also known as silver pine, this species of pine has even grain and medium texture. Uses include plywood, interior, veneering, wooden matches, boxes and making fine furniture.

Eastern White Pine: It is used in construction timber, carving, boat-making and interior millwork.

Limber Pine: Also known as Rocky Mountain white pine, it’s mostly used in fuel wood or rough construction.

2. Southern Yellow Pine Wood

southern yellow pine

Southern yellow pine is relatively harder than regular pine trees and have a higher density. The sapwood of this category of pine is yellowish white while the heartwood is reddish brown. It can be further categorized into four major species, which are shortleaf pine, longleaf pine, slash pine and loblolly pine.

Shortleaf Pine: Besides being quite beautiful, this pine species is also very affordable. It’s primarily used for making timber, which is used for construction, veneer, etc.

Longleaf Pine: This precious pine is used mainly for ship building and timber is used for interior and exterior construction.

Slash Pine: Slash pine is primarily used for making timber, which is then used in the construction of beams, poles, bridges, etc.

Loblolly Pine: Same as Slash Pine, this pine species is used for construction, but it’s also used for making furniture, pallets, boxes and plywood.

3. Wester Yellow Pine Wood

western yellow pine

In terms of hardness, this category of pines falls right between white pine and Southern yellow pine. With a more even grain, they are neither very soft nor very hard. It has two major species, called Lodgepole pine and Ponderosa pine.

Lodgepole pine: The wood is used for lodges, veneer, sheathing, plywood, poles, subflooring and cabinetry.

Ponderosa pine: This species of pine has a clearer wood that is ideal for making blinds, modlings, doors, cabinetry and subflooring.

4. Red Pine Wood

red pine wood

The red pine wood has white yellowish sapwood and a reddish brown heartwood. It has straight, even grain with a medium texture. The red pine timber is used as construction lumber and for making poles, cabin logs and railway ties.

Pine Wood Uses

common uses of pine wood

The use of pine wood depends on the type and color. Most of the timber is used for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Since pine timber is available in a great variety of colors, they are particularly liked for interiors, furniture making and other design-focus woodworking projects.

For centuries, people have been using pinewood for making log cabins. From the 18th century and after that, pine timber was started to be used to make furniture, flooring, etc.

In the modern world, it is used as a cheaper yet high-quality alternative to many premium woods for making flooring, furniture, trims and moldings, decks, veneer, etc.

Buy Your Favorite Types of Pine Wood Timber & Logs At The Best Price Online

Because of the abundant supply of pine softwood in many locations around the globe, the price of the pine timber is still affordable compared to leading species such as teak, mahogany and rosewood. However, finding the right supplier of different pine lumber that can consistently deliver good quality at a reasonable price is not easy.

Now, you can buy top quality pine wood at a wholesale price directly from CameroonTimberExportSarl. We as a leading timber manufacturer & exporter in Cameroon supply 18+ wood species, including pine wood species, to our clients all over the world.

Visit our website to know more about our different types of wood species, quality, availability and price. You can place your order online, via email or call us on +237 671 77 6559 to enquire and place an order.

Pine Wood: Properties, Characteristics & Uses

pine wood properties and uses

pine wood properties and uses
Pine is a softwood commonly imported from Northern, central and eastern Europe. Pine timber is widely used across a variety of woodworking projects, including furniture making, interior finishing, building & construction, panelling, among others. If you are looking to buy top quality pine wood timber, it helps to first know about the basic properties of pine in order to select the best timber for your particular project. We at CameroonTimberExportSarl supply and export the best quality pine timber and wood logs to our customers all over the world. You can send your queries over the phone or via email to us.

Pine Wood: Distribution & Basic Properties

Pine belongs to the Pinaceae botanical family and has over 100 different varieties, most of which can be found north of the Equator. Depending upon location, pine trees can grow to a maximum height of 40 m and different variants may develop different properties.

For instance, the color of summerwood is dark reddish, while that of springwood is light.

As a softwood, pinewood is not very hard and has a medium weight. However, the wood has good strength, durability and elasticity. The summerwood is relatively harder and heavier compared to other variants. The wood can be sometimes prone to a fungal infection that may lead to blue staining because of the natural moisture content of pinewood.

Color & Appearance: Color-wise, the Pine heartwood and sapwood are quite different from each other. While the heartwood is reddish-yellow that darkens with age, the sapwood is yellowish or reddish-white.

Texture: The pinewood may have a striped or wavy grain, depending on how the wood is cut. It has a medium texture and closed grain, which makes it easier to work compared to most hardwoods.

Resistance: As a softwood that is not very strong, pine has no natural resistance to decay and rot, but it is often pressure treated to increase its durability, especially rot and insect resistance for outdoor projects.

Other physical and mechanical properties of Pine timber

  • Pine tree height: 20 – 40 m
  • Average tree life: 300 – 500 years
  • Texture: Monotonous
  • Average humidity: 112% (sapwood) and 33% (core)
  • Shrinkage: 6.7% (at standard humidity of 12%)
  • Average density: 505 kg / cu.
  • Strength tensile:
    • In static bending – 70 – 92 MPa;
    • In compression parallel to grain – 40 – 49 MPa;
    • In tension along the fibers – 100 – 116 MPa;
    • When shearing along the tangential plane – 6,6-8,1 MPa.
    • Modulus of elasticity in static bending – 8.0 – 13.1 GPa.
    • Impact strength – 28 – 51 kJ / sq.
    • Hardness:
      • End – 28 – 33 N / mm;
      • Radial – 21-25 N / mm;
      • End – 16 – 23 N / mm.

Pine Timber Availability and Price

Even though Pine is an easily available softwood that costs lower compared to many high-end timber species, both the price and demand of pine have increased significantly in the past few years. The good news is that it’s still not been added to the IUCN red list of threatened timber species, which means it’s easy to buy pine for both personal and commercial uses.

We at CameroonTimberExportSarl manufacture and supply the best quality pine timber and round logs in Cameroon and export to our customers all over the world. We guarantee the best price for pinewood timber. Contact us today for a quote.

Primary Uses of Pine Wood

Pinewood is easy to work with both hand and machine. It can be easily cut, sliced, peeled, nailed, screwed, planed and glued. The surfaces of pine are easy to finish.

It can be used across a variety of wood projects and as an affordable alternative to many high-end species. Some of the common applications of pine include buildings and construction, pine furniture, flooring, outdoor projects, interior finishing, windows and facade panelling, manufacturing composite wood materials, masts and poles, wood and paper pulp, veneering, etc.

Pine is available in timber, round logs and veneer form and can be purchased directly from manufacturers here at CameroonTimberExportSarl.

How to Buy Pine Timber & Wood Logs Online (At the Best Price)

If you are looking to buy top-quality pinewood timber, logs, veneer and/or slabs, we have got plenty of them and can export it to your location anywhere in the world.

CameroonTimberExportSarl is a leading supplier of timber and wood logs in Central Africa. We ship more than 18 species of wood to major countries including Canada, Australia, Iraq, Vietnam, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others.

We have the best quality pine wood that we can deliver to your location in custom sizes and dimensions as required by you. We guarantee the best price in the market and on-time delivery with 100% quality assurance.

Contact us via email (info@cameroontimberexport.com) or use the form on our website to send your requirements or ask your queries. You can also call us or Whatsapp your needs, and we will revert promptly. Visit the website to explore more of our services and products.

Iroko Wood: Properties, Characteristics & Uses

iroko wood properties and uses

Iroko is a hardwood commonly used for cabinetmaking and panelling. It’s quite durable, which makes it a perfect timber for most woodworking projects. Iroko is sometimes used as a cheaper alternative to teak because of similarities in features and colour and is also commonly called African teak. If you are a woodworker looking to know more about the characteristics, uses,price and properties of iroko wood, you’re at the right place.

iroko wood properties and uses

Iroko Wood: Distribution and Basic Properties

Iroko wood can be further categorised into two species – Milicia excelsa (Chlorophora excelsa) and M. regia (C. regia). While Milicia excelsa can be found in most regions of tropical Africa, the distribution of M. regia is limited to the West African regions of Gambia and Ghana.

The hardwood of iroko is extracted from a tree that is about 100-130 ft in height and has a 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter. The average dried weight of iroko wood is about 41 lbs/ft3 (660 kg/m3). It has a specific gravity of .55, .66 and the Janka hardness of 1,260 lbf (5,610 N). The iroko tree has long and widespread roots, which make it more stable against strong winds.

Other Basic Properties of Iroko Wood are as Follows:

Color & Appearance: Color of the outer layer, i.e. sapwood, of iroko is a pale yellow, which is very different from the color of the heartwood, i.e. the innermost part, which has a yellow to medium/dark brown color. The heartwood has light stripes all over it, which are quite visible on flat-sawn surfaces. The color of iroko hardwood is very similar to that of teak wood and tends to get dark over time.

Texture: The texture of Iroko hardwood is medium to coarse. It has interlocked grain, which may cause some tearouts when working with a machine. However, Iroko is typically easy to work with both hand and machine.

Resistance: Iroko has been categorised as very durable, and is similar to red maple in strength. It has very good resistance to insect attack, decay and rot and can be used for outdoor projects as well.

Since Iroko is a very durable wood, it doesn’t require much maintenance or perseverance, which reduces the cost of maintenance of the iroko wood items in the long term.

The Iroko tree also has environmental values, as it is said to have the ability to absorb CO2 from the air and transform it into limestone, which not only helps reduce the carbon but also enriches the soil, making it more fertile.

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Iroko Tropical Timber (*at 12% of wood moisture)

Total tangential shrinkage (TS): 5.4%
Specific gravity*: 0.64
TS/RS ratio: 1.5
Monnin hardness*: 4.1
Coef. of volumetric shrinkage: 0.44%
Total radial shrinkage (RS): 3.5%
Fiber saturation point: 23%

Durability and Treatability of Iroko Tropical Timber

Fungi: class 1-2 – very durable to durable
Dry wood borers: durable
Termites: class D – durable
Treatability: class 4 – not impregnable

Availability and Price of Iroko Wood

The availability of iroko, especially the one with premium quality, is mostly limited to tropical Africa. There are some authorised sellers of iroko wood & timber in this region of Africa. CameroonTimberExportSarl is one of them. We follow a sustainable iroko wood harvesting process, where not more than 20% of the harvest is cut down in a specific period. We have our own forests and lands as well as purchase wood from local landowners in a completely sustainable manner.

All our wood is processed at the company’s own mill located in Douala, Cameroon. We use skilled woodworkers and pay them well.

We at CameroonTimberExportSarl legally export our Iroko wood logs, timber and slabs to our customers all over the world, including to countries in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. We sell iroko timber and logs at wholesale prices. You can buy iroko timber at a really affordable price from CameroonTimberExportSarl and get it delivered to your local anywhere in the world.

Primary Uses of Iroko Hardwood

Iroko is a highly durable wood, which makes it perfect for a range of woodworking projects such as boat building, veneering, flooring, furniture making, panelling, cabinetry, barrel making for building turned items and specialty wood items. It is often used as a cheaper and easily available substitute for teak.

The high durability of Iroko hardwood makes it suitable for making outdoor furniture, ships, flooring, bridges, railways sleepers and other similar items.

Other possible uses of Iroko timber and slabs include structure and panels making, exterior joinery, building facades, recreation equipment, carpentry, interior fittings, etc.

Check out the complete range of African wood species and quality timber at the CameroonTimberExportSarl website and order online to get the best price and on-time delivery to your address.

Timber Selling Guide for Landowners: How to Get the Best Price for Your Timber

timber sales guide

timber sales guide
So, you are done growing timber on your land and are now ready to reap the rewards of years of hard work. But, how do you ensure to get the best or value for your bulk timber sales? Having a brief knowledge of the timber selling process might help.

We at CameroonTimberExportSarl help new timber businesses & landowners get the best out of their timber harvesting activities. Whether you need help with finding out the best timber quality or type to harvest or want to know the right process to sell your timber for the best value, we are here to help with our timber sales guide.

How Much Money You Can Make by Selling Your Timber Harvest Will Depend on a Number of Things, Including:

  • The time when you sell it;
  • How you sell it;
  • Whom you sell it to;
  • Timber species;
  • size;
  • And of course, the quality & quantity of timber.

Having the right people to assist you can make all the difference. For example, we have been in the timber industry for more than 30 years and have the specialized knowledge required to assess the value of timber based on species, volume, quality and other factors.

This timber sales guide takes you through the best process of marketing and helps you in selling timber for the best price, with or without professional help.

Timber Selling Process – the Best Route to Take for Maximum Gain

Before you could start selling your timber, it’s important to know about a few things, including the timber buying/selling process, methods, people involved in the process, how to measure timber, price conversions between different log rules, factors affecting the timber price, etc.

People in the Timber Buying/Selling Process –

A typical timber buying/selling process will have the following roles:

  • The owner/seller
  • A buyer/broker
  • A forester or legal advisor
  • A mill or manufacturer

Timber mills or manufacturers usually purchase their timber from intermediaries (timber buyers) who buy it from private landowners. Brokers sell the timber to their preferred mills after making a decent profit. Alternatively, owners can directly sell to manufacturers/mills, but that can be a complex and time-consuming process. And the broker also plays the role of determining the right timber value based on its quality, quantity, age, etc.

A seller can choose to sell timber on a ‘per unit’ or ‘lump sum’ basis. The price of the per-unit timber or the whole lot will be determined accordingly.

The timber measuring process can take considerable time, depending on the person doing it. Some buyers/sellers will measure each merchantable tree individually in order to calculate the entire volume of the lot/stand. Others work on the sampling mechanism, where a systematic sample is taken that represents the entire lot.

When measuring a tree, the person will usually measure two parameters –

1) The tree diameter at a height of 4.5 feet above the ground line, i.e. diameter at breast height or DBH,
2) The merchantable height of the tree.

Knowing about the factors affecting timber prices is also important in order to be able to determine the right price. These include timber species, type, quality & size, location, volume, competition in the market, etc.

Then, the next step is to market timber, i.e. get the word out about your timber harvest and let potential buyers know.

The timber selling process may sound complex, and it actually is, which is why we strongly recommend seeking professional assistance, especially if you are a new timber owner or seller.

Why Is Professional Help (From an Experienced Timber Supplier or Forester) Important?

Even though it’s possible to sell your timber on your own without the assistance of an expert, hiring professional help will ensure a smooth and profitable timber sales experience.

Professional timber suppliers and companies have good knowledge of the market and have experience in selling timber for the best price. They can help determine the right value of your timber harvest by assessing its quality, age, etc. Also, they can help market and sell the bulk timber to the right buyer for the right price.

For example, we at CameroonTimberExportSarl help local landowners throughout the timber harvesting process, from selecting the right timber species to growing and harvesting it, logging and processing, and then selling to the highest bidder.

We have our own sawmill in Douala, Cameroon where we process wood into the timber on behalf of hundreds of our partners and clients through the country and then transport it to buyers’ locations all over the world.

To know more about our timber-related services and to check out the timber species we export globally, visit the website cameroontimberexport.com.

Sustainable Wood Export and Development Practices

Sustainable Wood Development

Sustainable Wood Export
All our wood harvesting, processing and supplying practices here at CameroonTimberExportSarl are based on the concept of Sustainable Development, which refers to economic development without harming the nature of the environment.

Our woodworkers are hard-working individuals who are also very careful about protecting the environment while performing their duties. We at CameroonTimberExportSarl take every precaution to not accidentally or willingly harm the ecosystem or the health safety of our workers while doing our work. We are committed to taking very good care of the well-being of our workers and ensuring they are paid well.

Sustainable Wood Development – What It Means for Us

From harvesting forests to cutting & processing logs and timber, we strictly follow sustainable development practices.

At CameroonTimberExportSarl, we have multi hectares of forests reserved for sustainable wood harvesting. To maintain sustainability, we harvest not more than 2 trees at a time per hectare per year. Typically, each tree gets about 30 years of life before it’s ready to harvest.

Here at CameroonTimberExportSarl, all our wood processing and management plans are driven by the following three goals:

  • Maintaining biodiversity and protecting the ecosystem;
  • Welfare and development of workers & their families;
  • Respect local populations & their culture.

CameroonTimberExportSarl Environment Safety Policy

Tree harvesting and cutting can have serious environmental impacts if done improperly or ruthlessly. That’s why we at CameroonTimberExportSarl use multiple approaches to keep a track of the impact of our harvesting activities on the environment to ensure we do not cross the line.

Besides using modern tools & techniques including the Forest Compass and Geo-referencing, we train our workers to use low-impact logging techniques that are effective in achieving quality sustainable management of our forests in Cameroon.

Social Welfare & Development Policy

Sustainable access to quality housing, food and medic care is the least you can expect when working with CameroonTimberExportSarl. For us, the safety of our employees is always a priority and for this, we take every possible measure in our capacity. All our employees, whether residing at processing sites or in towns, are provided with the best-in-class living environment with easy access to top services, security & training.

In addition, all our employees are provided with adequate safety gear, including helmets, boots, coats, etc., which are replaced every couple of months. From time to time, we conduct health checkups to keep track of and maintain the health safety of all our workers.

For the growth and development of the local societies and people, we do our bit by promoting the recruitment of local people, providing financial support for the development of local projects, farms, schools and markets. Also, we generously pay Annual Forest Royalties (RFA), which further helps local development and growth.

Sustainability is in Everything We Do

Not just wood harvesting or processing, we maintain sustainability even in our daily practices, like saving water and electricity as much as possible, minimizing the use of paper, promoting the use of recycled items, among other things.

To know more about CameroonTimberExportSarl’s sustainable wood harvesting & development practices, contact us today.

We are a leading Cameroon-based supplier of top-quality African timber and export to countries like Malaysia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Canada and other locations in the Middle East and Europe.

How to Buy Best Quality Wood Directly from a Wood Supplier

buy wood directly form supplier

buy wood directly from supplier
If you are a professional woodworker or retailer, you must know that the most profitable way to buy wood is straight from the supplier rather than a dealer or your local shop. When buying wood directly from the wholesale supplier, you won’t only get the best price but also may get better options to choose from.

But, finding a reliable wholesale supplier of timber can be more difficult than you would imagine. You cannot simply ask your local retailer or distributor for the contact of their supplier. So, the best you can do is research online and through common contacts to find the right supplier that can consistently deliver good quality wood at cheap rates.

Finding the Right Wood Supplier in Your Area

Unless you have good contacts in the wood industry, it will not be easy to find a good supplier of wood. Most of the top suppliers work through dealers and/or supply directly to retailers, which is convenient for them. Working with individual buyers or consumers is not feasible for them. So, even if you manage to find a reliable wood supplier, convincing him to supply wood directly to you rather than his dealer will be a different task in itself.

You can use the internet to research and find good suppliers of timber that export to your location. Alternatively, you can use woodworking forums and communities to ask for referrals from expert people who are already using the services of reputable wood suppliers in your region. Social media can also prove to be a good source to seek leads.

CameroonTimberExportSarl delivers to most countries in the world, including Malaysia, UAE, Iraq, Canada, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. We are a Cameroon-based top supplier and exporter of the best quality African wood and timber in a wide variety of species. We also supply directly to consumers, retailers and woodworkers at guaranteed lowest prices.

How to Buy Wood/timber Directly from Cameroontimberexportsarl

The process to buy the best quality African timber and logs directly from CameroonTimberExportSarl at the lowest price is simple. Just follow the steps below.

1. Use the contact form here to send your timber enquiries. Make sure to mention the size, species and quantity of wood that you want to buy. Alternatively, you can call us at +237 683 37 5541 to register your wood order directly or drop an email at info@cameroontimberexport.com.

2. Once we receive your query, we’ll get back to you at the earliest to further discuss your requirements and other details like delivery, payments, etc.

3. We deliver to most countries around the world. So, you can place your order to receive wood directly to your location. We also take care of shipping and customs.

We supply the best quality African wood at the lowest price here at CameroonTimberExportSarl (best wood supplier). You can visit our website to find out more about the wood species that we deal in and other wood related services we provide.

We accept all the leading global payments, including T/T bank transfer, MoneyGram and Western Union. Contact us today to discuss your wood requirements.

Best Types of Wood for Woodworking (Softwood & Hardwood)

best types of wood for woodworking
best types of wood for woodworking

Woodworking is a timeless craft that has been cherished for generations. The choice of wood plays a pivotal role in the outcome of any woodworking project, influencing not only the aesthetics but also the durability and functionality of the final piece. In this guide, we will delve into the world of woodworking and explore various types of wood, their characteristics, and the best applications for each.

Understanding the Basics

Wood can be broadly categorized into two main types: hardwoods and softwoods. Contrary to the names, the classification is not solely based on the hardness of the wood. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees, and they are known for their dense structure, making them ideal for furniture and intricate woodcraft. Softwoods, on the other hand, are sourced from coniferous trees and are often used for construction and utility projects.

Pine

Pine is by far the best and one of the most used types of softwood for woodworking. All pine species are ideal for furniture making. One of the reasons Pine is preferred by most woodworkers is that it’s very easy to work with and carves easily.

You can purchase pine directly from your local wood store, however, if you are looking to buy pine in bulk for a woodworking project, it’s cost-effective to import top-quality pine from CameroonTimberExportSarl, the leading supplier of African wood.

Mahogany

Mahogany is one of the most commonly used hardwoods for furniture making. Its reddish-brown color featuring medium texture makes it look exquisite. The high popularity and lack of availability make mahogany quite expensive wood to buy and use.

You can purchase Mahogany timber and logs in bulk at the best rates from CameroonTimberExportSarl to get delivery to your location anywhere in the world. Place your order today.

Oak

Oak is a hardwood that is widely used for making furniture, among other objects. African oak is strong and very durable. It’s also easy to work with, which makes it a common choice for woodworkers.

Buy the best quality African oak timber and logs at the best price from CameroonTimberExportSarl.

Birch

Birch is a hardwood that strikes a balance between affordability and versatility. Its light color and fine grain make it suitable for a range of projects, from furniture to plywood. Birch plywood, in particular, is widely used in cabinetry and woodworking projects where stability and a smooth surface are essential. Its uniform texture and pale color also make it a popular choice for painting or staining.

Cedar

Cedar is a softwood prized not only for its natural beauty but also for its unique aromatic properties. The distinct aroma of cedar wood acts as a natural insect repellent, making it an ideal choice for outdoor projects like fences, decks, and garden furniture. Cedar’s reddish-brown hue and natural resistance to decay contribute to its popularity in both indoor and outdoor applications.

Teak

Teak continues to be one of the choicest types of wood for outdoor furniture. The African teak is hard and is super resistant to moisture, weather and heat. Not only it looks beautiful in its naturally golden-brown color but is also quite strong.

The rare availability of teak makes it very expensive. For the best deals on top quality African Teak timber and logs.

Walnut

For those seeking a darker, more luxurious option, walnut is an excellent choice. The deep chocolate-brown color of walnut wood is complemented by a rich grain pattern. Walnut is often used for fine furniture, cabinetry, and decorative items. Its workability, coupled with its natural beauty, makes it a favorite among both professional woodworkers and hobbyists.

Where to Buy Best Types of Wood For Woodworking Online?

Other than the above wood species, you can also buy different types of hardwood varieties including afromosia, azobe, anigre, bilinga, bubinga, ebony, iroko, rosewood, sapele, and walnut at the best prices with home delivery from CameroonTimberExportSarl.

Mahogany Wood: Properties, Characteristics & Uses

Mahogany Wood and its features
Mahogany is a world-class wood species

Mahogany is a world-class wood species that is found in many variants, such as African Mahogany, Cuban Mahogany, Honduran Mahogany, Santos Mahogany, Mountain Mahogany, Philippine Mahogany, etc., mainly based on the origin. It’s a heartwood, usually in deep red-brown color, with occasional dark reddish streaks.

Mahogany wood properties allow it to be used in both timber and logs forms, mainly for making furniture, cabinets, flooring, etc Also, mahogany slabs are also widely used for various interior and exterior furniture making. The usability and specific properties, however, depending on where the wood has grown.

Since African Mahogany is one of the most popular species, we will talk about its properties and uses here.

Common Mahogany Wood Properties

Scientific Name: Khaya spp.

Distribution: West tropical Africa, African Mahogany is grown in almost all parts of the country, but major plantation can be found in the West tropical regions.

Tree Size: With 100-130 ft (30-40 m) height, Mahogany is one of the highest naturally-grown trees. The trunk diameter is usually 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) in size.

Average Dried Weight: 40 lbs/ft3 (640 kg/m3)

Some of the reasons why Mahogany is so popular among woodworkers, luthiers and merchants is the easy availability and workability of this African hardwood.

In-depth View of Mahogany Properties & Characteristics

Color

African Mahogany color ranges from pale pink to dark reddish-brown, depending on the age. The heartwood grows darker with age. Also, it sometimes may have red-brown colored streaks.

Hardness/durability

Even though it’s a hardwood, Mahogany is not very hard. It ranks average in terms of hardness and has moderate, but not high, durability. Being not very durable, it’s poor to medium resistant to insects.

Workability

Since is a soft hardwood, it’s usually easy to work with. It is also easy to mill or cut in different shapes or timber sizes. At Cameroon Timber Export, you can buy African Mahogany timber in all standard sizes and shapes.

Stability

The stability of hardwood depends on its grain texture and moisture content, among other things. Mahogany has straight to interlocked grains, which makes it highly stable. The moisture content of the wood can be reduced through kiln drying.

Pricing

Mahogany is easily available and grown in almost all parts of the world. The prices are usually low or moderate, depending on where you’re importing Mahogany from.

Aesthetics and Uses of Mahogany

The most common use of Mahogany species is for furniture making. Almost everywhere in the world, Mahogany furniture is made with either locally-grown or imported Mahogany wood. The furniture made from Mahogany wood has a premium look and moderate stability. They look even better with a clean finish.

Other common uses of Mahogany include wood flooring, wood doors & windows, high-end trim work, veneering, turned items, plywood making, boatbuilding, etc. It’s also widely used for making guitar bodies.