When you’re looking for hardwoods, timber merchants are the best place to see what's on offer. They stock many types of timber and can advise on what’s best for your project.
This blog takes a closer look at Sapele, a brilliantly versatile hardwood from the African rainforests. It’s as strong as oak and widely chosen for its beautiful, regular grain pattern, but is it right for your project?
If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to mahogany, then this could be the wood for you. We’re going to talk about the 3 biggest benefits of this beautiful hardwood timber…
An Overview Of Sapele Wood
Origin and Species
‘Sapele’ refers to a specific hardwood timber species, Entandrophragma cylindricum, belonging to the Meliaceae family. It originates primarily from the tropical rainforests of West Africa, including countries like Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana.
Sapele trees themselves are large and majestic, reaching heights of up to 150 feet with straight, cylindrical trunks. They are deciduous, shedding their leaves during the dry season.
Wood Characteristics
The wood's colour ranges from golden to reddish-brown, often darkening with time and exposure to UV light. It features a distinctive interlocked grain pattern, sometimes exhibiting a ribbon or stripe figure, adding to its visual appeal for projects that need to look good and be strong.
Sapele is a moderately heavy hardwood with a density comparable to mahogany.
It has a Janka hardness (a commonly recognised hardness rating) of around 1510 - which is even harder than Oak!
Known for its strength, durability, and resistance to decay and insect ingress, Sapele is a sometimes overlooked Oak alternative that’s hugely versatile.
Workability
Sapele strikes the balance between easy workability and hardwood resilience. Most hardwoods require sharp blades to make clean and quick cuts, but even with minimal knowledge of working with hardwood timber, Sapele can be crafted and cut with ease.
Sapele’s Undeniable Beauty
Sapele has a rich, golden-reddish brown colour and is frequently likened to mahogany. It boasts an interlocked grain, which can create stunning ribbon or stripe patterns. When quarter-sawn or sliced, a beautiful regular stripe is visible, making it easily recognisable.
As with many types of wood, Sapele wood can benefit from being treated. This will extend its lifespan, making it water-resistant and even more protected from damage and decay. Its appearance can be enhanced with various finishes like natural oils, varnishes, and waxes. If you’re looking for a more customised finish, then Sapele also takes paints and stains well, giving your build a truly personalised look.
What Is Sapele Timber Best For?
Thanks to its sought-after combination of strength and beauty, Sapele wood can be used for a wide variety of applications. If your project requires durable, load-bearing strength along with a visually pleasing appearance, this hardwood timber could be right for you. Here are some of the projects our customers have used high-quality Sapele timber for…
- Flooring - Sapele's warm tones and unique grain create a stunning, high-end look. Because of its natural durability, it can also handle foot traffic.
- Furniture - Sapele wood makes elegant and lasting furniture, like tables and chairs.
- Worktops - Sapele’s rich, dark tones are a dramatic addition to a kitchen or utility room worktop.
- Skirting - Maintain consistency throughout your home by matching skirting in every room with this durable, visually impressive wood.
- Decking - When treated, Sapele is a stable choice for decking, safe from the elements and sturdy enough for any outdoor entertainment.
Sapele may not be the best option in all situations. It is not suitable for lightweight applications, where you want to keep weight or load down to a bare minimum. It also may not be the best choice for simple construction, like basic cabinetry.
Sapele's Strength and Resilience
Strong and hard, Sapele wood is resistant to dents, scratches and general wear making it ideal for high-traffic areas or projects where durability is key. For example, you want your kitchen surfaces to be able to stand up against bangs and cuts, making Sapele the ideal choice for worktops.
With a natural resistance to decay, rot, and insect attacks, it’s ideal for exterior use, particularly when treated to prevent moisture ingress - the number one cause of wood rot.
Sapele can withstand UK weather with proper protection, such as water and UV-resistant stains and paints. This means it works well for decking, exterior doors and window frames, as well as any indoor projects.
Because of its impressive density, Sapele's durability ensures projects built with this wood will last for generations.
It’s important to note that the quality of your hardwood timber depends greatly on its source. Always use a professional timber merchant to ensure the highest quality of Sapele, without warping, imperfections or excessive knots.
Sapele's Excellent Workability
Sapele wood is generally easy to work with, despite its density.
It responds well to most woodworking tools and techniques, including machining, carving and turning, but hardness is a factor to consider. When planning your build, consider whether your tools are sturdy enough for cutting Sapele.
Due to its interlocked grain, sharp blades are necessary to avoid tear-out. Overall, whether you’re a woodworking pro or a DIYer, you can work with Sapele with the right tools.
Sapele accepts a variety of finishes - oil, stain, lacquer and wax, allowing for a range of aesthetic choices. A highly polished finish really sets off the grain pattern, and some see it as a waste not to make the most of this hardwood timber’s natural beauty.
Is Sapele Wood The Right Hardwood Timber For Your Project?
Sapele wood is a stunning timber that is easy to work with and will simply last and last. With its gorgeous reddish brown colouring and straight grain, it delivers both eye-catching aesthetics and reliable strength.
If you think this timber is right for the job, contact our timber experts today for quality Sapele wood at trade prices.