Red Meranti

Meranti is a widely used tropical hardwood prized for its warm reddish-brown to golden tones, straight to slightly interlocked grain, and fine to medium texture. Native to Southeast Asia, this wood is valued for its workability, durability, and aesthetic appeal, making it a versatile choice for furniture, cabinetry, and artisan woodworking.

Meranti machines, sands, and finishes cleanly, taking a smooth satin finish that highlights its natural color and subtle figure. Its moderate density and stability make it ideal for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, small furniture accents, veneers, and decorative inlays, delivering both functional strength and visual elegance.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Shorea spp.

Family: Dipterocarpaceae

Origin: Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines)

Common & Trade Names

Meranti, Philippine Mahogany, Red Meranti, Yellow Meranti, Light Meranti

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: reddish-brown to golden

Straight to interlocked grain

Fine to medium texture

Smooth natural luster

Moderate density and strength

Stable for small to medium woodworking projects

Workability

Machines, sands, and turns easily

Glues, stains, and finishes well

Suitable for carving and fine detail work

Stable and durable for precision applications

Health & Safety Note

Dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Use proper dust extraction, respirators, and eye protection when working with Meranti.

Meranti wood, Shorea spp., Philippine Mahogany, tropical hardwood, exotic wood blanks, knife handle wood, pen blank wood, turning wood, decorative hardwood, fine woodworking wood