Merbau Wood Flooring

lpil, kwila (Intsia 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 yellowish to orange-brown when freshly cut, turning brown or dark red- brown upon exposure.

Grain: Straight to interlocked or wavy; coarse texture.

Variations Within Species And Grades: Moderate to high variation in color.
 

Properties

Hardness/Janka: 1925; 49% harder than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00158; 57% more stable than red oak). However, actual installations have demonstrated significant movement in use.

Durability: Strength is comparable to hickory, but density is somewhat lower.
 

Workability

Sawing/Machining: Sawing is difficult; wood gums saw teeth and dulls cutting edges; carbine tooling recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.

Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Wood stains black in contact with ferrous metals or moisture.
Comments: High resistance to termites.
 

Cost

(relative to plainsawn select red oak)
Multiplier: 1.25
 

Availability

Limited.