However, the comparison to Mahogany as an outstanding exterior grade wood that has a rich reddish-brown heartwood holds true. Wood is primarily used for Pergola and Gazebo construction since it tends to be readily available, easy to work with and durable when exposed to outdoor conditions. Hundreds of thousands of people per year purchase outdoor furniture made of acacia wood, and for good reason. I could not believe the beauty of and depth of the grain and color. Absolutely. Shannon, you write some very informative and cool articles. Countertops 11. There is always a risk of some minor surface checking for the stuff that gets a lot of sun baking on it all day, but that is pretty much the same with any species out there. I was wondering if it would be suitable for a dining table? Sapele is a bit harder than Hard Maple and that has been a defacto dining table material for many years. The funny thing is that the botanical definition of hardwood and softwood has nothing to do with how hard the wood actually is; but rather it denotes the structure of the tree and in general whether or not it loses its leaves. Philippine Mahogany is synonymous with boat building, thanks to the iconic Chris Craft boats from the 1930-60s. We found that in many cases, the problem is not of the kind of timber material in use but merely the failure of developers to understand the different species of wood, their installation procedure, suitability and also … It should not be used where the lumber can be in permanent contact with animals or humans. The range of wood we have found best for making Hardwood vs Softwood Windows. It’s harder than both Honduran and African Mahogany. Ipe Wood Decking, also known as Ironwood, is yet another type of Mahogany Decking. On another note, Gene mentioned sapele as an equal to mahogany. We switched to sapele about five years ago and haven't wanted to buy SA since then. I plan to leave them unfinished and let them weather naturally like is often done with teak. While the grain pattern is still moving in the same direction, the interlocking pattern acts to cancel out a lot of movement that is typically found across the grain. Additionally Sapele grows with an interlocking grain pattern where the fibers twist around the tree as they grow. Although attractive, the ribbon-like texture of quartersawn Sapele lacks the consistency in coloration that the flat-sawn wood boasts. However, black locust is hard to work since the grain can be strange. I wish I could tell you what it was, but it slips my mind. Whether you buy Sapele lumber from J. Gibson McIlvain or another supplier, pay close attention to the provenance documentation to ensure that you are in fact getting Sapele as compared to another similar species. How do I compare attributes of each? Cuban Mahogany, Swietenia mahogani (genus and species names), the Wood of Kings, has been among the most prized and valuable timbers since the late 16th century. Architectural Millwork 6. It is a look-alike that some suppliers sell as the price is low and the customer does not know the difference. I have yet to find a wood that does NOT turn silvery gray when left to it’s own devices to weather. When I had my floors refinished about 10 years ago I specifically used a contractor that had 4 Rottweilers and had a finish he recommended. It grows in central Africa from the western coast, eastward in a broad band. Due to its great resistance to insects and fungi, the mahogany wood is one of the tough deciduous tree woods. Also like Mahogany, Sapele is a popular wood for guitar necks. Native to Africa, Sapele is a reddish-brown wood of closely interlocking grain. This availability will keep costs down as well as make it a species you can consistently rely on getting for your projects. However, this isn’t to say that it’s a perfect choice. Sapele is another type of Mahogany Decking. I talked to one supplier of tropical woods and he stated that SA mahogany often is not of the same genus and species as genuine. Choosing the Right Wood for Outdoor Projects Natural wood is a great choice for adding warmth and texture to your garden. Instead, if you want to color the wood, use this simple process. With supplies of North American Mahogany dwindling, more woodworkers are turning to Sapele as a substitute wood for use in furniture and musical instruments. Wood/plastic composites (WPCs) are made from thermoplastic resins, wood flour, and wood fiber. More than likely it wasn’t so much a special formula but just his application process. There are many wood species that can be used for outdoor decks, but not all offer the same benefits and maintenance requirements, and price and availability vary by region. This yields very straight grained, wide and long lumber in great abundance per log. However as a furniture manufacturer in Africa a long time back and a boat builder in the USA now, your title is very miss leading. Indoor construction elements (beams) 10. Ipe is found in South America. To add color to sapele with a stain, you don’t want to apply an oil pigment stain straight to the raw wood. He said that sometimes it is the same, but that SA mahogany is a seldom used name by most suppliers selling the genuine stuff. It is more expensive than Ipe (an imported wood great for outdoor work), but it is easier to work with and it just feels right to use an American wood. Use this table to find the right decay-resistant species for your project. Will it scratch and show a lot of nicks. Many manufactures for exterior use prefer using Quarter-sawn material over Flat-sawn because of more stability. I think this would look fabulous. When quarter sawn, the interlocking grain pattern aligns to form beautiful ribbon striping that is often seen in door panels and plywood veneer. I'm under the impression that true Honduras mahogany is commercially endangered, and what is being sold may be poached (according to HPVA). Sapele is a valuable resource and it is imperative we continue to treat it as such so this highly popular species won’t become difficult to obtain thus sparking questionable harvesting practices. FSC is usually obtainable but it will drive up the cost and decrease the availability. Today there are still a few trees, but they are extremely rare and should not be used as such usage will encourage harvesting and the ultimate end of this species. We do find Honduras mahogany used in the 18th Century in a few cases. But before you rush to the lumber yard to grab your materials, you should consider which type of wood is best for your project and your needs. Some make use of recycled material, but all are rotproof. When you’re constructing a deck or building Adirondack chairs for your backyard, you want to make sure you choose a wood that can stand up to the elements. I would love to see a picture of that rifle John; sounds beautiful! It is light in color and has a grain pattern quite similar to traditional oak. Fine furniture 2. However, that's not the full story. In North America we aim for 6-8% moisture for all our woods. Any of the Mahogany alternates are a good choice as well, you just need to figure out what qualities suit your project best and make decision from there. The natural superior stability means that there is much less waste over this journey as well as reliability once the wood is installed in it’s final project. It machines perfectly, with little to no tearout. This mahogany species is the wood that planked the ships of the Spanish Armada. March 26, 2010, KnowledgeBase: Architectural Millwork: General, KnowledgeBase: Lumber & Plywood: Wood Identification. Any Suggestion? I talked to one supplier of tropical woods and he stated that SA mahogany often is not of the same genus and species as genuine. We have had a Sapele dining table in our office conference room for several decades. How do you know if what is being sold as Honduras mahogany is really that? The good news is that the other climate factors won’t phase the Sapele regardless of the finish you apply. Tabonar, check out our Sapele page and the chart on the left details all the specifications you could want to know about Sapele. Famous furniture builders Thomas Sheraton, Thomas Chippendale, and Duncan Phyfe chose Cuban mahogany for their fine furniture. How to Treat Untreated Wood for Outdoor Use. Regardless, the appropriate percentage all relies upon what you want to do with the wood and in what environment (exterior, interior, local/regional climate, etc). Sapele is technically a hardwood or a deciduous tree. Each day we get requests for quotes and the Sapele species page on this site is one of the most clicked on. You will want to wipe down your outdoor patio furniture with a slightly damp rag every day to remove any accumulated dust. As a fellow dog owner I feel your pain. Due to greater awareness and strict controls, the species is recovering nicely. Your help would be greatly appreciated. When finished, I applied some Watco Danish Oil for Teak. we have dogs. You wouldn’t leave the wood raw regardless of the species used so a good finish will take up the slack. I do think the wood will handle it well, but it is really more about the finish you choose in this case. Green is a relative term too as there is just cut where most trees will run upwards of 80% moisture and then there is green as in wood that was cut months ago but has not been sawn. We love Sapeke and are lucky enough to have a good supplier near by. Thank you. Younger Cypress trees are moderately hard, stable, and strong, and are resistant to decay so they are good for indoor and outdoor use. Redwood. The grain and pore structure is tighter than Genuine Mahogany so Sapele also serves as a great substrate for painted surfaces. I found it a little softer than the curly sugar maple I am used to but it took carving fairly well although a little stringy. How about the appropriated moizture content for sapeli both green and dry? Thank you for the information. Is it hard enough? For most outdoor projects, naturally rot-resistant wood is a good idea. A beautiful wood. (Architectural Woodworking Forum) With enough Urethane? I recently purchased sapelle wood for a flooring job, 4 inches wide was wondering if it is compatible with radiant heat? I want to build an ornate garden house with as light an appearance and framing as possible. It has a good rep for durability meaning rot resistance, but is probably better suited for decking than cabinetwork. Musical instruments 5. Acacia wood is a living, breathing raw material that needs a lot of help to survive. So concentrate on UV resistance in whatever finish you choose. Required fields are marked *. Hi Shannon; I’m thinking of using Sapele for furniture, such as a wine rack/table. Not all of the Mahogany labelled species behave as well and they vary dramatically in density, color, and stability. It turned some pretty nice looking benches into works of art. The quarter sawn Sapele is even more stable as well as stunning in appearance and that makes for a pretty attractive product. Is there any alternative species that is FSC certified and has similar look of sapele any chance? The issue here is there are many species that get lumped under the African Mahogany moniker. 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