Wenge Wood Flooring

Panga-panga Millettia spp

Sample is 3/4-by-2-1/4-inch square-edge solid strip.
Top portion is finished with water-base urethane;
bottom with oil-modified polyurethane.

Appearance

Color: Heartwood is yellow-brown when freshly cut, turning dark-brown to almost black with alternate layers of light and dark. Sapwood is yellowish-white and clearly demarcated from heartwood.

Grain: Straight when quartersawn; coarse texture.
Variations Within Species And Grades: Moderate variations in color.
 

Properties

Hardness/Janka: 1630; 26% harder than Northern red oak.

Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00201; 46% more stable than red oak). However, actual installations have demonstrated significant movement in use.

Durability: Average.
 

Workability

Sawing/Machining: Difficult due to rapid dulling of tools; carbine tooling recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.

Finishing: Some solvent-based stains do not dry well.

Comments: Dermatological and respiratory allergic potential.
 

Cost

(relative to plainsawn select red oak)
Multiplier: 5.50
 

Availability

Limited.