Merbau
Merbau is a tough, dense tropical hardwood widely used in Australia and Asia for outdoor applications. It has excellent natural durability and handles weather exposure very well. The high oil content is both the reason for its durability and the source of its main challenges: gluing requires careful surface prep, and the reddish-brown oils will bleed badly into water-based finishes and onto light-colored surfaces. Significant sustainability concerns around illegal logging in its native range.
- Gluing oily surfaces without wiping with acetone or naphtha first — the oils prevent adhesion
- Applying water-based finishes without sealing first — the reddish oils bleed and discolor the finish
- Ignoring sourcing questions; illegal logging in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia is a documented issue — verify FSC certification
Dark reddish-brown heartwood with distinctive yellow mineral flecks throughout. The reddish oils are soluble and will transfer to water, light finishes, and fabric. Sapwood is pale yellow-brown and sharply distinct.
Hard, dense, and heavy. Carbide tooling strongly recommended. Interlocked grain causes some tearout risk. Gluing requires thorough degreasing. Oil finishes work best and complement the natural oils.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| United States | Specialty importers only |
| Canada | Specialty importers only |
| Europe | Specialty importers only |
| Australia | Regional / select dealers |