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Merbau
Handloggers’
Opinion
Merbau is a rich, dark red-brown floor that can have colors ranging
from pale yellow to deep purple-brown boards. Some customers enjoy
this color variation but if you prefer a more color consistent
floor a clear grade Brazilian cherry would be a better choice.
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 withing 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.
Workability
Sawing/Machining: Sawing is difficult;
wood gums saw teeth and dulls cutting edges; carbide tooling is
recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Wood stains black in contact
with ferrous metals or moisture.
Comments: High resistance to termites.
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to species page
"Wood
Species Used in Wood Flooring, publication A200, ©1994" provided
with permission and courtesy of the National
Wood Flooring Association.
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