 Light Red Meranti (Shorea spp.)
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Common Name(s): Light Red Meranti, Lauan, Philippine Mahogany Scientific Name: Shorea spp. Distribution: Southeast Asia Tree Size: 65-130 ft (20-40 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 31 lbs/ft3 (495 kg/m3) Hardness: 490 lbf (2,180 N) Rupture Strength: 9,870 lbf/in2 (68,080 kPa) Elastic Strength: 1,445,000 lbf/in2 (9,970 MPa) Crushing Strength: 6,380 lbf/in2 (44.0 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 4.6%, Tangential: 8.5%, Volumetric: 14.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.8 |
Color/Appearance: Color can be highly variable depending upon the species: ranging from a pale straw color, to a darker reddish brown.
Grain/Pore: Has a coarse texture with medium to large pores. Grain is sometimes interlocked.
Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; medium-large pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; tyloses occasionally present; growth rings indistinct, though banded parenchyma is seemingly marginal; rays not visible without lens; parenchyma banded with embedded gum ducts, paratracheal parenchyma usually indistinct with lens: vasicentric, and weakly aliform (winged).
Durability: Reported as non-durable in regard to decay resistance, and is also susceptible to insect attack.
Workability: Typically easy to work, due to its low density. Though some rough or ragged surfaces may be left while sanding, and it may be necessary to sand up to a finer grit to obtain a satisfactory finish. Some species may have a slight blunting effect on tools due to small levels of silica present in the wood. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Scent: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.
Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Meranti in the Shorea genus has been reported to cause eye, throat, and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Price/Availability: Meranti is widely harvested and widely available worldwide. It should be moderately priced despite the fact that it is imported.
Comments: Sometimes referred to as “Lauan,” wood in the Shorea genus is very commonly used in southeast Asia, and there is an abundance of variety between the difference species: each with different working properties, appearances, and mechanical strength values.
The five main groupings for Meranti (Lauan) are: Light Red Meranti, Dark Red Meranti, White Meranti, Yellow Meranti, and Balau. The strength and mechanical values listed at the top of this page represent the average of a handful of species within the corresponding group.
Also called Philippine Mahogany, Meranti bears no relation to what is considered to be “true” mahogany in the Swietenia and Khaya genera.
Some common uses for Light Red Meranti include: plywood, interior furniture, general construction, concrete forms, as well as a number of other general utility purposes.
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Light Red Meranti (sanded) |
 Light Red Meranti (sealed) |
 Light Red Meranti (endgrain) |
 Light Red Meranti (endgrain 10x) |
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