Padauk (African) Wood Flooring

Pterocarpus soyauxii

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 vivid reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening to reddish- or purple- brown or black over time. Sapwood is cream-colored. Very uniform in color.
Grain: Straight to interlocked; coarse texture.

Variations Within Species And Grades: Slight variation in color.
 

Properties

Hardness/Janka: 1725; 34% harder than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00180; 51% more stable than red oak.
Durability: Average to high durability.
 

Workability

Sawing/Machining: Saws well, but requires a slow feed rate; carbine tooling recommended. Machines easily, with some tearing of the interlocked grain.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Takes finishes well, some have found that water-based finishes hold color better.
Comments: Dermatological and respiratory allergic potential.
 

Cost

(relative to plainsawn select red oak)
Multiplier: 4.50
 

Availability

Moderately available.