Sapele timber, predominantly from West Africa, is a reddish-brown hardwood. Although some parts of the Sapele logs will produce straight-grain or ‘quartered’ effect, generally it has a more random grain appearance, thus meaning it is liable to interlocked grain. Interlocked grain spirals around the centre of the tree thus alternating intermittently and causing a ‘rough’ effect, this can generally be reduced if not eliminated by heavy sanding. Sapele is used for numerous mahogany like products, for example conservatories, door frames and solid wood doors, furniture and counter tops.

Sapele Working Properties

• Works fairly well with hand and machine tools
• Tends to tear, interlocked grain in planing
• Saws easily
• Finishes well
• Good gluing and nailing properties
• Satisfactory peeling and slicing for veneers

Sapele Physical Properties

• Moderate hardness and weight
• Medium bending and crushing strengths, not recommended for steam bending
• Seasons fairly rapidly but with a marked tendency to warp
• Very variable in drying properties, requires careful stacking
• Movement in service is rated as medium

Sapele Durability

• Heartwood is moderately durable
• Resistance to termite attack is variable
• Sapwood liable to powder-post beetle attack
• Heartwood resistant, sapwood moderately resistant

Sapele Main Uses

• Furniture and cabinetwork
• Decorative veneers
• Plywood
• Joinery
• Flooring
• Panelling