Properties of Dark Red Meranti
Dark Red Meranti has a density ranging from 580 to 770 kg/m3 at 12% moisture content and an average of 670 kg/m3. The timber has good machining properties as it can be easily sawn, planed, bored or
turned giving smooth machined surfaces. It also has good nailing and screw-holding properties and is easy to stain and glue. Of even more significance is its superior durability and insulation
properties compared to other timbers commonly used for window frames such as Pine, Spruce, Fir and Hemlock. Kilo-dried Dark Red Meranti is a stable timber and moves very little in service, an
important requirement for joinery timber. It also meets the strength requirements and has strength properties superior or comparable to other joinery timbers.
Malaysian Dark Red Meranti (DRM) is a well known timber in Europe particularly in countries like The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the UK where it has gained a reputation as an excellent
material for the production of high class joinery products especially door and window frames, facades and doors. Over the last 25 years these countries have been regular buyers of Malaysian DRM and
it is not surprising that European architects, interior designers and specifies who are very familiar with this reddish brown timber and its inherent ideal properties continue to recommend this
timber. DRM also has the advantage that it is readily available to consumers as over the years a well established distribution system has developed to ensure that supplies can be obtained at any
time. It is usually sold kilo-dried at the required moisture content, typically
12-14% for the European market.