Collection: Keruing

Appearance of Keruing Timber

Keruing timber offers a diverse palette of heartwood colors, including deep pink, orange-pink, purple-red, and the more common red-brown. The sapwood is typically lighter, sometimes displaying yellow or grey tinges. Over time, the wood darkens with age. Its grain is generally straight or shallowly interlocked, occasionally exhibiting a stripe figure on the radial surface. The texture, uniform across the species, varies from fine to coarse depending on the specific tree.

Applications of Keruing Timber

Keruing’s durability and strength make it ideal for a variety of uses. In construction, it is commonly employed for protected framing, internal flooring, joinery, moldings, paneling, and lining. Treated Keruing timber is used for poles, piles, sleepers, and cross-arms, making it a cost-effective alternative to oak in heavy construction, vehicle building, and decking. Its resistance to decay also makes it a popular choice for outdoor furniture and plywood production.

Workability of Keruing Timber

While Keruing is ready for immediate use without curing, its high resin content presents some challenges. Oleo-resins may exude onto surfaces during drying or exposure to heat, which can complicate finishing and coating. The timber is difficult to work when dry due to the presence of silica and resin, which can blunt cutting tools and cause machining issues. Gums in the wood may further complicate processing. Although Keruing nails satisfactorily, its performance with adhesives is inconsistent, and it is unsuitable for steam bending. Care should also be taken during sanding, as dust from Keruing can irritate the skin.

Durability and Maintenance of Keruing Timber

Keruing is a durable and low-maintenance timber suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Unlike other timbers, it does not require curing and poses no risk of leaching or bleeding sap, making it a ready-to-use material. Its high resin content, however, makes it less suitable as a base for coatings or finishes.

Origin and Availability of Keruing Timber

Keruing is native to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, India, and Pakistan. Though occasionally imported to Australia, it remains a lesser-known choice for high-strength applications, offering a versatile and cost-effective option for both construction and design projects.