Red Meranti
Scientific name: Shorea leprosula
Overview
Red Meranti is a commercially important tropical hardwood trade group native to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The wood is widely used in furniture manufacturing, interior construction, plywood, cabinetry, and millwork due to its balanced combination of workability, moderate durability, and attractive reddish-brown coloration. Red Meranti is generally heavier and more durable than Lauan woods, making it one of the most widely utilized Shorea trade groups in global hardwood markets.
Watch Video Overview
Watch a visual overview of this species including grain patterns, color variation, working characteristics, and common woodworking uses.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Red Meranti
- Scientific Name: Shorea leprosula
- Region: Asian Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 100–200 ft tall, 3–6 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 40 lbs/ft³ (640 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 800 lbf
- Color: Medium red brown to dark reddish brown
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Red Meranti is recognized by its reddish-brown coloration, moderate weight, and often ribbon-like grain figure caused by interlocked grain. Compared to Lauan woods, Red Meranti is generally denser and displays a richer overall appearance.
Key identification traits include:
- Medium reddish-brown coloration
- Moderately dense structure
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Medium to coarse texture
- Ribbon figure on quartersawn surfaces
Working Properties
Red Meranti machines relatively well despite occasional interlocked grain. The wood glues, stains, and finishes effectively, making it common in both structural and decorative woodworking applications.
- Generally easy to machine
- Can develop tearout in interlocked grain areas
- Good dimensional stability
- Accepts stain and finish well
- Moderate durability for interior and some exterior applications
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. Use proper dust collection and respiratory protection during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Red Meranti is widely used throughout commercial woodworking and construction industries.
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior millwork
- Doors
- Plywood
- Veneer
- Paneling
- Light structural applications
Sustainability & Notes
The Red Meranti trade group includes numerous Shorea species harvested throughout Southeast Asia. Several related species face pressure from deforestation and historical overharvesting, making sustainable forestry practices and responsible sourcing increasingly important.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Dark Red Meranti – Typically denser and darker in coloration than standard Red Meranti.
White Meranti – Generally lighter in both weight and coloration.
Red Lauan – A lighter-weight Shorea trade wood commonly used in plywood and interior applications.
Related Guides
Understanding Interlocked vs Straight Grain – Explains how grain orientation affects appearance, machining, and stability.
Preventing Tear-Out in Interlocked Grain – Covers machining techniques for woods with ribbon figure and interlocked grain.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide) – Explains how density influences hardness, durability, and woodworking performance.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Red Meranti is valued more for its commercial importance and representation within Southeast Asian timber markets than for rarity. Quartersawn material with strong ribbon figure is often the most visually appealing for collectors and educational wood sample collections.
Video Overview
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Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
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