Collection: Karri

Appearance of Karri Timber

Karri timber is highly lustrous, with heartwood that ranges from reddish-brown to pale pink hues. Its sapwood, in contrast, is a narrow, creamy white band, clearly distinguishable from the heartwood. The grain can be straight or slightly interlocked, and the timber has a somewhat coarse texture, making it visually appealing for architectural and decorative purposes.

Common Applications of Karri Timber

Karri timber is widely used in construction, where its strength and durability make it suitable for flooring, paneling, framing, and structural plywood. Its attractive colour and figure are highly prized for fine furniture, both indoor and outdoor. In structural applications, Karri is used for wharf and bridge construction, cross-arms, rafters, joists, and decking. It is also valued for railway-carriage construction, veneer production, agricultural implements, shipbuilding, and pulp and paper manufacturing. For roofing, Karri’s ability to be milled into long, knot-free lengths makes it particularly desirable.

Workability of Karri Timber

While Karri timber is strong and durable, its density and heaviness can make it difficult to work. Pre-drilling is recommended when nailing, and the timber has limited gluing capabilities. It requires careful preparation when dressing, with planers set to a 15-degree angle, and moulded timber often requires additional sanding for a smooth finish. Though it holds paint poorly, Karri readily accepts staining and finishing. The heartwood’s interlocked grain and high density make it resistant to preservative impregnation, further limiting some applications.

Durability of Karri Timber

Karri timber is moderately durable but is not recommended for in-ground use due to its susceptibility to termites. Its natural bushfire resistance makes it compliant with BAL 12.5 and 19 standards for decking, and BAL 29 when used with non-combustible wall cladding and enclosed subfloor systems.

Origin of Karri Timber

Karri grows natively in Western Australia and is one of the main hardwood species from this region. Although most of the resource is now in conservation reserves, Karri timber is still sourced from regrowth forests. It is available both locally and interstate, with small quantities marketed in the eastern states for flooring and roofing materials.

Readily Available Karri Timber

Karri timber is primarily available in Western Australia, with limited quantities available in other Australian states.

Source of Karri Timber

Native Forest