Keruing
Keruing (Dipterocarpus): A Strong, Durable, and Versatile Hardwood
Timbersource offers high-quality Keruing timber, sourced from sustainably managed forests. Also known by its botanical name, Dipterocarpus, this wood is a strong, durable, and versatile hardwood valued for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and affordability. This makes it a popular choice for a wide range of construction and heavy-duty applications. If you’re looking for a reliable and cost-effective timber for structural work, flooring, or exterior projects, this is an excellent option.
Why Choose This Timber from Timbersource?
At Timbersource, we are committed to providing our customers with the best quality timber, backed by expert advice and exceptional service. Here’s why you should choose us:
- Sustainably Sourced: We source our Dipterocarpus from forests managed according to strict environmental and social standards, ensuring the long-term health of the forest ecosystem.
- High-Quality Timber: We carefully select our logs to ensure consistent quality, minimal defects, and optimal strength properties.
- Expertly Kiln-Dried: We kiln-dry our timber to reduce moisture content, minimizing the risk of warping, shrinking, or cracking after installation.
- Wide Range of Sizes: We offer it in a variety of thicknesses, widths, and lengths to meet the specific requirements of your project.
- Expert Advice: Our experienced team can provide technical guidance and recommendations on working with this hardwood, including advice on finishing, gluing, and fastening.
Characteristics and Properties of Keruing
This hardwood possesses distinctive properties that make it suitable for demanding applications:
- Color: The heartwood ranges from light red to reddish-brown, often with a purplish tinge. In contrast, the sapwood is lighter in color and clearly differentiated.
- Grain: It typically has a straight or interlocked grain, with a moderately coarse texture. Resin canals are a common feature, sometimes exuding sticky resin.
- Durability: This wood offers natural durability and resists decay and insect attack, particularly in above-ground applications. However, treatment may be recommended for in-ground contact.
- Strength: Dipterocarpus is a strong and stiff timber, making it suitable for structural components and heavy-duty use.
- Workability: While its density and sometimes interlocked grain can present challenges, sharp tools and pre-drilling are recommended. Fortunately, it glues and finishes reasonably well.
Common Uses
The strength, durability, and affordability of this wood make it a popular choice for various applications, including:
- Construction: Framing, beams, rafters, joists, and other structural components.
- Flooring: Solid and engineered flooring, particularly in industrial or high-traffic areas.
- Truck Bodies & Trailers: Decking and sideboards for lorry beds and trailers.
- Exterior Joinery: Decking, cladding, and other exterior applications (with appropriate treatment).
- Marine Applications: Certain species can be used in marine environments (with appropriate treatment).
- Railway Sleepers
Working with This Hardwood
Due to its density and potential for interlocked grain, we recommend using sharp, carbide-tipped tools. Furthermore, pre-drilling for screws and nails is essential to prevent splitting. Also, proper ventilation and dust extraction are important, as the sawdust can be an irritant.
Finishing
You can finish this timber with a variety of oils, stains, or paints. However, due to the potential for resin exudation, it’s important to properly seal the wood before applying any finish. Specifically, a suitable primer or sealer can help prevent resin bleed-through.
Order Your Keruing Timber Today
Explore the strength and versatility of Dipterocarpus timber. Browse our selection of sizes and grades online, or contact Timbersource today to discuss your project requirements. Our team is ready to provide you with the high-quality timber and expert advice you need to succeed. Experience the Timbersource difference.
Keruing Half Lap
