Help Identifying Wood Species

[jonny round boy]

I've got a project to build out of timber decking material - the deck boards have been supplied by the customer, and I don't know what the timber is (I'm not very good at identifying them!).

The customer told me that his supplier said it was 'Millau', but I'm pretty sure that's wrong as I can't find any reference to it online.

Here's some pics - sorry about the quality, but they're the best I could get:

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Anyone know what it is?

 

[AlexThePalex]

I am by no means any good at this, because I don't know many types of wood. But this wood here happens to look like one of those I do know, Merbau, and since the client says Milau, couldn't it be he misinterpreted the correct name?

 

[jonny round boy]

Thanks Alex,

I've looked that up & does seem very similar. Also, Wikipedia mentions that it can have a 'gold fleck' effect running through the grain, which this seems to have.

Unfortunately, I also found this Greenpeace report which lists it as at risk of extinction. Ooops.  [unsure]

 

[justinmcf]

hi jonny. i reckon alex could be right. it certainly looks like merbau, it is also commonly referred to as kwila.
merbau/kwila is very to identify because of the gold/yellow streaks that run through the grain.

it is far from being extinct mate.
it is one of the most common hardwoods here in australia that we highly recommend using for timber decks.
but be warned. it is a very oily timber. it will initially "leak" after installation.

we never install above finished concrete, or near swimming pools with tiles.
i have seen some shocking installs where the oil has leaked from the timber and run over tiles, straight into a swimming pool.
diluted hydrochloric  acid is the only way to clean this mess up.
i personally only install above natural ground, where the oil can run off naturally without causing damage to finished floors, buildings, etc.

the process we normally recommend to clients is this.
after installation, it is a good idea to leave the deck for a few weeks to allow this natural oil to bleed out.
a good down pour of rain will help this process too.
then after it has dried out over a 2-3 week period. it can be sanded if needed, then sealed with appropiate decking products.

hope this helps,
regards, justin.

 

[jonny round boy]

Thanks Justin.

This timber doesn't seem very oily - in fact, I'd go so far as to say it's very dry. Also, it picks up watermarks very easily.

I'll be posting more on the project when I get started, but it's not being used for decking. The guy I'm making it for does exhibition stands for boat shows - they cover the stands with this stuff. I'm making a prototype for some temporary bars/reception desks that will be hired out for the same stands, hence they want to use the same timber.

I was hoping to finish it with Danish Oil.

 

[regneethling]

Hi Jonny
It looks like Balau decking to me....

 

[AlexThePalex]

Reg's probably right. I didn't know this name Balau because we call it Bangkirai over here. If the client said Milau it is more likely he meant Balau than Merbau. Balau/Bangkirai is a wood that is used very often for decking and garden furniture. It is very durable and doesn't have this bleeding problem Merbau has.

 

[customcarpenter]

Hi, have you considered "IROKO" this is a hardwood that is used for external construction in the UK such as Garden Furniture.