Meranti

Meranti is a timber from the Shorea species group and is common throughout South East Asia, it is also known as Seraya and Lauan.

Shorea is the most important timber genus in tropical Asia, of the family Dipterocarpaceae. This species group has a wide diversity and there is great variability in the physical properties of the group so it is further subdivided into three types, Dark Red, Light Red and Yellow. Meranti is a light to medium hardwood and is used for veneers (looks similar to mahogany), and light construction. It is durable, strong, resistant to shrinkage and has a density of around 550 kg/m3.

Meranti can be easily worked and machines well, and is naturally resistant to fungal and insect attack.

Image obtained from: http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/regions/apo/Edukit2001/images/Shorea.JPG