Indonesian Wood Types: Strength, Beauty, and Care Tips

Ever wondered how many types of Indonesian wood there are? The answer is 23!

Indonesia is celebrated for its rich, diverse range of timber, making it a prime source of high-quality wood for furniture, construction, and decorative elements.

From teak to mahogany, Indonesian wood offers unique characteristics that appeal to woodworkers, designers, and homeowners worldwide. 

In this blog, we'll explore the most notable wood types from Indonesia and their distinctive qualities, helping you find the perfect fit for your home or next project.

Does Indonesia Have Good Wood?

Yes, Indonesia is renowned for its top-quality wood, known for its strength, natural beauty, and versatility. The country’s thriving timber industry has become a cornerstone for architecture, interior design, and art, making Indonesian wood highly sought after for:

• Durability and longevity: Many Indonesian woods, like teak and mahogany, are incredibly durable and resistant to wear.
• Unique grain and colour: Each wood type boasts unique colours, textures, and grain patterns, making it suitable for various styles and applications.
• Sustainability: Indonesia’s forests support a range of wood types grown with sustainable practices, often certified to ensure eco-consciousness.

Understanding SVLK Certification

The Indonesian Timber Legality Assurance System, or SVLK Certification, is a crucial standard ensuring that Indonesian wood products are legally harvested and sustainably sourced. This certification helps buyers trust that Indonesian wood products meet ethical and environmental standards, bolstering Indonesia’s reputation for responsible forestry.

What Kind of Wood Is Found in Indonesia?

The following sections cover Indonesia's most popular wood types, each with distinct characteristics and applications.

1. Teak Wood
2. Teak Roots
3. Mahogany Wood
4. Oak Wood
5. Rosewood
6. Acacia Wood
7. Erosi Wood
8. Suar Wood
9. Pine Wood
10. Gilded Wood
11. Lenga Wood
12. Coconut Wood
13. Ulin Wood (Ironwood)
14. Mango Wood
15. Mindi Wood
16. Red Meranti Wood
17. Sono (Palm) Wood
18. Twigs Wood
19. Bangkirai (Shorea) Wood
20. Merbau Wood
21. Macassar Ebony
22. Kamper Wood
23. Sungkai Wood

Let’s go into detail.

1. Teak Wood

Teak, sourced from the Tectona grandis tree, is one of Indonesia's most prized hardwoods. Known for its golden colour, fine grain, and smooth texture, teak is highly durable and weather-resistant. Its natural oils give it a distinct advantage for indoor and outdoor furniture.

Characteristics of Teak Wood

• Dense, close-grained hardwood with high natural oil content.
• Extremely resistant to rot, termites, and fungi.
• Ideal for outdoor furniture due to its weather-resistant properties.
• Expected lifespan of 50–70 years with minimal care.

Grades of Teak Wood

• A-grade: Premium, with minimal knots and consistent colour.
• B-grade: It may have slight imperfections, but it is still suitable for most furniture applications.

Benefits of Teak Wood

Teak is celebrated for its durability and resistance to the elements, making it a staple for boat building and outdoor furniture. This wood type offers:

• High durability, even in harsh weather.
• Low maintenance, withstanding exposure without rotting.
• Ideal for sophisticated designs that require a beautiful grain and smooth texture.

2. Teak Roots

Teak roots, harvested from retired trees, offer an eco-friendly, robust option for furniture. This unique material is highly valued for its strength and rustic aesthetic.

Popular Uses of Teak Root

• Coffee tables with glass tops.
• Console tables that serve as striking focal points in a room.

Benefits of Teak Root Furniture

• Strength: As the "oldest" part of the tree, roots provide solid and durable wood.
• Natural shape: Teak root furniture often retains organic forms, making each piece one-of-a-kind.
• Eco-friendly: Repurposing root sections ensures sustainable use of materials.
• Aesthetic appeal: Teak root furniture adds a rustic, earthy element to any space.

3. Mahogany Wood

Mahogany, known scientifically as Swietenia macrophylla, is a tropical hardwood highly valued for its rich colour, fine grain, and smooth texture. Originally native to the tropics of Latin America and now thriving in Indonesia, mahogany offers an affordable yet beautiful alternative to more expensive hardwoods like teak. This wood is widely used for high-quality indoor furniture, decorative items, and interior elements.

Characteristics of Mahogany Wood

• Colour and grain: Mahogany's colour ranges from light red and yellowish-red to dark red, and its grain is fine and smooth, similar to that of teak. Its attractive grain makes it ideal for clear or stained finishes, highlighting its natural beauty.
• Density and strength:
• Average dried weight: 550–650 kg/m³.
• Janka hardness: 500–600, making it moderately hard.
• Suitable for structural elements indoors due to its strength and bending resilience.
• Durability: Mahogany falls under durability class III, meaning it's less weather-resistant than teak or bangkirai. When left untreated and exposed to outdoor elements, it may last less than three years, making it best suited for indoor use. Protected indoors, mahogany can endure for decades with proper care.

Benefits of Mahogany Wood

Mahogany is highly versatile, especially suited for indoor applications where its fine texture and appealing colour can be best appreciated. Common uses include:

• Furniture: Its refined grain and colour make it a favourite for making doors, tables, cabinets, and chairs.
• Decorative elements: Wall and ceiling panels, mouldings, and staircase components.
• Finishing flexibility: Due to its light natural colour, mahogany can be finished with stains that range from light to dark tones, providing a variety of design options.

How to Care for Mahogany Wood

• Insect and fungus vulnerability: Unlike teak, mahogany is not naturally resistant to insects and fungi. If durability against pests is a priority, it requires additional preservatives.
• Maintenance: While it’s not weather-resistant, regular treatment and careful placement can extend its lifespan indoors.

4. Oak Wood

Oak, known as Quercus and encompassing over 400 species, is a highly resilient wood that grows well in various climates, from arid conditions to regions with harsh winters. Oak trees can reach heights of 19.5 to 25.5 meters, demonstrating their hardiness by thriving in poor soils and frigid temperatures as low as 7°C to 21°C.

Characteristics of Oak Wood

• Durability: Oak is known for its robust nature, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas and structural applications.
• Appearance: Oak has a pronounced, attractive grain pattern that lends a rustic charm. It is often seen in lighter shades of honey or warm brown.
• Resilience: Its ability to withstand cold temperatures and less-than-ideal soil conditions reflects its resilience, making it a reliable choice for various applications.

Benefits of Oak Wood

Due to its durability and visual appeal, oak is widely used for:

• Flooring: Oak’s hardness makes it an excellent choice for floors, capable of withstanding heavy use while maintaining its form.
• Doors and windows: Oak is popular for doors, window frames, and other architectural elements.
• Furniture: Oak’s distinctive grain and strength make it ideal for crafting solid, durable furniture that lasts generations.

5. Rosewood

Rosewood, mainly known as Dalbergia species, is a richly coloured hardwood cherished for its striking grain and durability. Indonesian rosewood, or snorkelling, is primarily found in Central and East Java. It is renowned for its luxurious appearance and high durability, and it is ideal for premium furniture, veneer, and decorative items. This wood is not only valued for craftsmanship but also as an investment, given its decreasing supply and timeless appeal.

Characteristics of Rosewood

• Appearance: Rosewood boasts a unique, intricate grain with colours ranging from purplish black to reddish-brown with dark streaks, making each piece visually distinctive.
• Durability and strength:
• Durability Class I and Strength Class II indicate it is exceptionally resistant to wear and decay.
• Strong enough for both decorative and structural use, although it’s mainly valued for fine furniture and luxury items.
• Growth and availability:
• It grows up to 40 meters tall but has a slow growth cycle, making it a precious and limited resource in Indonesia.
• It's found mostly in Java and has a distribution in Bali, Lombok, and Sumatra, yet populations are in decline due to overexploitation.

Benefits of Rosewood

• Furniture and veneer: Rosewood’s beautiful grain makes it a favourite for upscale furniture and luxurious veneer.
• Musical instruments: Often used in instrument making, such as guitars, due to their dense, resonant properties.
• Handicrafts and investment: Sought after for high-end handicrafts and collected as an investment due to its scarcity and aesthetic appeal.

6. Acacia Wood

Acacia is a widespread hardwood species that includes thorny trees and shrubs. Known for its rich history and global distribution, acacia is especially resilient and capable of growing in diverse climates, from Australia to Asia and Africa. Thanks to its hardness, natural beauty, and sustainable sourcing options, it's increasingly popular for furniture, flooring, and decor.

Characteristics of Acacia Wood

• Appearance: Ranges from light to dark brown, often with unique, wavy grain patterns that add character to finished pieces.
• Durability: Acacia wood, known for its dense, hard texture, is highly durable and naturally resistant to water, scratches, and fungi.
• Global distribution:
• There are approximately 1,300 species worldwide, about 960 of which are native to Australia, while others are found in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
• Its adaptability allows it to grow in varied climates, making it a reliable choice for different applications.

Benefits of Acacia Wood

• Furniture: Due to its hardness, acacia is ideal for furniture that needs to withstand heavy use, such as tables and cabinets.
• Flooring: Acacia’s scratch-resistant surface and water resistance make it a solid floor choice.
• Outdoor applications: Acacia is frequently used for outdoor furniture and decking due to its resilience to weather and insects.

7. Erosi Wood

Erosi wood is less commonly known internationally but is valued within Indonesia for its natural durability and strength. This wood type, often grown and harvested locally, is an affordable yet robust option for various applications, especially furniture and structural elements in construction.

Benefits of Erosi Wood

• Appearance and texture: Erosi wood has a solid, medium-toned grain that can vary slightly in texture, providing an earthy, rustic look.
• Durability: While easier than teak or rosewood, Erosi wood is still durable for indoor furniture and specific outdoor applications.
• Uses: Typically employed in furniture, basic construction materials, and home decor items, where affordability and solid build add value.

8. Suar Wood

Suar wood, also known as Monkeypod or Samanea saman, is a highly valued wood used extensively in furniture-making. Originally from Central and South America, the Portuguese introduced this tree to Indonesia in the 19th century, and it quickly spread due to its adaptability and rapid growth. Suar wood’s resilience, distinctive grain, and affordability have made it a popular choice for Southeast Asian furniture, especially live-edge slabs.

Characteristics of Suar Wood

• Grain and colour: Suar wood features unique, captivating grain patterns. The heartwood is darker, contrasting with lighter, creamy sapwood, and the bark retains rough shades of grey or brown, adding a rustic charm.
• Durability: Suar wood, known for its cross-grain structure, resists cracking and warping, making it a reliable choice for long-lasting furniture. It is also resistant to termites and decay.
• Size and growth:
• It can reach heights of 17 to 24 meters, with trunk diameters up to 100 cm.
• Grows quickly, approximately 75-150 cm annually, allowing for sustainable harvesting.
• Weakness: Suar wood cracks when exposed to direct sunlight and extreme outdoor conditions, making it unsuitable for outdoor furniture.

Benefits of Suar Wood

Suar wood is commonly crafted into live-edge slabs, which showcase its natural grain and edge irregularities, adding a touch of natural elegance to any room. Popular Suar wood products include:

• Dining tables: The live edge and bold grain make Suar wood tables a focal point in any dining area.
• Coffee tables and side tables: Perfect for rustic and modern designs alike.
• Decorative accessories: Slabs are also used for smaller furniture pieces, adding warmth and character to interior spaces.

9. Pine Wood

Pinewood, specifically Pinus merkusii, is widely available across Indonesia, particularly in Sumatra, Java, and Kalimantan. Known for its soft, light appearance and smooth texture, pine is a popular choice for indoor applications. It grows well at altitudes up to 2000 meters and is sustainably managed by Perum Perhutani in Central Java, contributing to its availability and affordability.

Characteristics of Pine Wood

• Appearance: Pine is pale yellow with a pronounced, straight grain. Due to its natural light hue, it readily takes on stains, from light to dark shades.
• Strength and durability:
• Janka hardness of 250–300, placing it in the softer wood category.
• Durability Class III, meaning it’s less resistant to decay and should be used indoors.
• The average dried weight of 550–650 kg/m³ offers moderate strength but less bending and pressure resistance than other hardwoods.
• Vulnerability: Pine wood is susceptible to termites and fungi and requires additional treatment for long-term durability.

Benefits of Pine Wood

Pine’s light colour and smooth grain make it a versatile choice for indoor applications, particularly where a clean, natural look is desired. Common uses include:

• Furniture: This is ideal for lighter furniture, such as bookshelves, cabinets, and tables, especially in modern and rustic styles.
• Decorative items: Suitable for wall panelling, mouldings, and other decorative interior elements.
• Paint and stain: Because of its light colour, pine is highly adaptable to different finishes, making it suitable for transparent and painted finishes.

10. Gilded Wood

Gilded wood is wood coated with a layer of gold or gold-coloured material. Often seen in decorative and historical furniture, architecture, and art, gilding enhances wood’s visual appeal by adding a luxurious golden surface. This process has been widely used across cultures to signify wealth and elegance.

Characteristics of Gilded Wood

• Appearance: Gilding gives the wood a rich, golden finish that can be smooth, textured, or even slightly aged, depending on the style.
• Applications: Primarily used for decorative items, gilded frames, furniture accents, mouldings, and art pieces.
• Process: Wood is typically treated with adhesive, followed by a thin layer of gold leaf or metallic foil.

Benefits of Gilded Wood

• Furniture accents: Adds elegance to furniture frames, legs, and other intricate parts.
• Architectural details: Perfect for mouldings, ceiling designs, and wall accents.
• Decorative art: Common in picture frames, sculptures, and decorative accessories, where the gold layer elevates the aesthetic.

11. Lenga Wood

Lenga wood, scientifically known as Nothofagus pumilio, is a hardwood native to the temperate forests of South America, particularly in Chile and Argentina. Because of its durability and fine texture, it has gained popularity for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry.

Characteristics of Lenga Wood

• Appearance: Lenga wood has a straight grain with a smooth texture. Its colour ranges from light brown to reddish hues.
• Durability: While not as hard as tropical hardwoods, lenga is relatively durable and resistant to wear, making it suitable for moderate use.
• Workability: Easy to machine, saw, and finish, allowing it to take stains and finish well.

Benefits of Lenga Wood

• Furniture: Often used for indoor furniture due to its appealing grain and moderate hardness.
• Flooring and paneling: Suitable for light-use flooring and wall panelling, adding warmth to interiors.
• Cabinetry: Its smooth texture and grain make it ideal for cabinets and shelving.

12. Coconut Wood

Coconut wood, or Cocos nucifera, is derived from coconut palm trees commonly found along Southeast Asian coastlines, particularly in Indonesia. Known for its unique appearance and moderate durability, coconut wood is increasingly used for furniture, decor, and light construction.

Characteristics of Coconut Wood

• Appearance: Coconut wood is dark brown with distinct black fibres, giving it a striking appearance. It has no knots, as coconut palms have no branches.
• Durability: Coconut wood's inner core is moderately hard, with a dried weight of 600–900 kg/m³, allowing it to withstand substantial loads.
• Weather resistance: Resilient to heat and rain, coconut wood is often chosen for outdoor structures like gazebos but may develop hairline cracks over time.

Benefits of Coconut Wood

• Furniture and decor: Commonly used for indoor furniture, such as tables and decorative items.
• Outdoor structures: Ideal for covered outdoor structures like gazebos due to their weather resistance.
• Finishing: Due to its dark natural colour, it works best with dark stains, highlighting its unique texture without concealing the grain.

13. Ulin Wood / Ironwood

Ulin wood, or Ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri), is one of Indonesia’s most robust and durable hardwoods, primarily found in Borneo’s rainforests. Known for its incredible strength and resistance to decay, Ulin wood is highly prized for construction, especially in areas exposed to weather and moisture.

Characteristics of Ulin Wood

• Appearance: Ulin wood is reddish to yellowish, often with minor hairline cracks or pinholes that add character.
• Density and strength:
• Extremely dense, with a dried weight of 900–1100 kg/m³.
• High Janka hardness (1000–1300), making it very hard and resistant to wear.
• Rated as Durability Class I, able to last 8–15 years outdoors and nearly indefinitely indoors.
• Insect and fungi resistance: Naturally resistant to termites, insects, and fungi, making it an ideal material for outdoor use.

Benefits of Ulin Wood

• Outdoor construction: Ulin wood is commonly used for decking, fences, bridges, and piers due to its exceptional resistance to moisture and decay.
• Heavy furniture: Ideal for robust, long-lasting furniture where durability is essential.
• Finishing: Works well with both light and dark stains, allowing for flexibility in design while showcasing its natural grain.

​​14. Mango Wood

Mango wood, derived from the Mangifera indica tree, is a sustainable and versatile hardwood often used for furniture and decor. Commonly grown in tropical regions, including Indonesia, mango wood has gained popularity due to its beautiful grain and eco-friendly attributes. Mango trees are primarily cultivated for their fruit, but when they cease to produce mangoes, they are harvested for timber, making mango wood a renewable resource.

Characteristics of Mango Wood

• Appearance: Mango wood has a striking colour range, from light to dark brown, sometimes with unique grain patterns in shades of green, yellow, or even pink.
• Durability: While not as hard as teak or oak, mango wood is moderately durable, making it suitable for indoor furniture.
• Workability: It is easy to work with, takes stains and finishes well, and allows for diverse aesthetic possibilities.

Benefits of Mango Wood

• Furniture: Mango wood is commonly used for tables, chairs, and cabinets. It offers an exotic look and a smooth finish.
• Decorative items: Mango wood is ideal for decorative items, carvings, and household accessories due to its appealing grain and colour.
• Finishing: Mango wood adds warmth and charm to any space and is suitable for clear or tinted finishes that highlight its natural grain.

15. Mindi Wood

Mindi wood, also known as Melia azedarach, is a tropical hardwood commonly found in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. It is highly valued for its stability and straight grain in furniture and decorative applications. Mindi trees grow quickly, making this wood a sustainable choice for timber.

Characteristics of Mindi Wood

• Appearance: Mindi wood has a straight grain, a smooth texture, and a color that ranges from pale beige to medium brown.
• Durability: Though not as rugged as other hardwoods, Mindi wood has good stability and moderate resistance to decay when treated.
• Workability: Mindi wood is easy to machine, stain, and polish, which makes it a versatile choice for furniture making.

Benefits of Mindi Wood

• Furniture: Commonly used for tables, shelves, and cabinets due to its stability and attractive grain.
• Decorative uses: It is ideal for carvings and decorative moldings, providing a refined look with a natural, elegant appearance.
• Finishing options: Mindi wood can be finished in various hues, from light stains to darker hues, adding flexibility to match different decor styles.

16. Red Meranti Wood

Red Meranti, scientifically known as Shorea, is a popular hardwood in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia’s Kalimantan region. This versatile wood is part of the Meranti family, which includes red, yellow, and white variants. Red meranti is the hardest and most commonly used for interior applications.

Characteristics of Red Meranti Wood

• Appearance: Red Meranti ranges from yellowish-white to dark red with a visible grain pattern, though it is coarser than woods like mahogany.
• Density and strength:
• Average dried weight of 300–600 kg/m³.
• Janka hardness of 400–500, with moderate bending and pressure strength.
• Durability Class III/IV, meaning it’s less resistant to decay and weather exposure.
• Weather and pest resistance: Red Meranti is not highly resistant to weather or pests, making it more suitable for indoor use or for projects that can be well protected.

Benefits of Red Meranti Wood

• Indoor furniture: Commonly used for doors, windows, wall panels, and cabinetry, it offers a warm aesthetic but requires indoor conditions.
• Decorative moldings and panels: Red Meranti’s colour and grain suit wall panels, mouldings, and ceiling components.
• Finishing: Works well with transparent stains and paint finishes, allowing the grain to show through for a natural look.

17. Sono or Palm Wood

Sono wood, also known as Dalbergia latifolia, is a tropical hardwood valued for its rich colour and durability. Often referred to as Palm wood in Indonesia, this wood is known for its unique grain pattern, which varies from dark brown to black with contrasting streaks. Due to its attractive appearance and robustness, it is popular in fine woodworking and furniture.

Characteristics of Sono Wood

• Appearance: Sono wood is dark in colour with beautiful streaks, ranging from brown to black, making it visually striking for decorative purposes.
• Durability: This wood is strong, durable, and resistant to insects, making it suitable for both indoor and select outdoor applications.
• Density: Its medium to high density gives it a robust structure, ideal for long-lasting furniture.

Benefits of Sono Wood

• Furniture: Commonly used for tables, cabinets, and decorative elements where its beautiful grain can be showcased.
• Musical instruments: Sono wood is also popular in making instruments due to its tonal qualities.
• Decorative panels: Works well for wall panelling and carved details, adding a luxurious touch.

18. Twigs Wood

Twigs wood, often harvested from smaller branches or thin trunks, offers a sustainable option for crafting unique decorative pieces and small furniture items. The term generally refers to wood derived from thinner branches of various tree species and is frequently used in rustic and natural designs.

Characteristics of Twigs Wood

• Appearance: Twigs wood maintains a natural look with unique knots and bends, adding character to designs.
• Durability: Twigs wood tends to be less durable than hardwoods but is adequate for light-use furniture and decor.
• Sustainability: Harvested from branches rather than trunks, it promotes sustainable use of forest resources.

Benefits of Twigs Wood

• Decorative pieces: Commonly used for rustic decor like wall hangings, candle holders, and picture frames.
• Small furniture: Ideal for lightweight furniture like stools or accent tables.
• Crafts and handicrafts: Frequently used in handmade crafts and small interior items emphasising natural, raw aesthetics.

19. Bangkirai (Shorea) Wood

Bangkirai wood, scientifically known as Shorea maxwelliana, is a heavy-duty hardwood from the rainforests of Borneo. Bangkirai is often used in construction and heavy-duty applications because of its exceptional strength and resistance to weather. This wood is prized for its durability, natural insect resistance, and strength, making it a top choice for indoor and outdoor structures.

Characteristics of Bangkirai Wood

• Appearance: Typically reddish or yellowish with occasional yellow highlights, Bangkirai wood often has visible hairline cracks and pinholes, which can be filled without compromising strength.
• Density and strength:
• High density, with an average dried weight of 750–950 kg/m³.
• Janka's hardness is 750–800, making it highly durable and resilient.
• Strength Class I/II, allowing it to support heavy loads and withstand impacts.
• Durability: With Durability Class I/II, Bangkirai wood can last 8–15 years when exposed to moisture or nearly indefinitely indoors. It is also highly resistant to termites and other insects.

Benefits of Bangkirai Wood

• Heavy construction: Due to its strength, Bangkirai is used in the construction of bridges, piers, and wooden roofs.
• Outdoor and indoor flooring: Ideal for decking, flooring, and parquet due to its resilience.
• Doors and panels: Commonly used for door frames, wall panels, and stairs, especially in areas requiring load-bearing capacity.

Bangkirai wood’s combination of strength and durability makes it a preferred material for outdoor projects. Its natural resilience to weather and insects adds long-lasting value.

20. Merbau Wood

Merbau wood, scientifically known as Intsia bijuga, is a heavy hardwood native to East Africa and Southeast Asia regions, especially in Papua, Indonesia. Known for its resilience, rich colour, and durability, Merbau wood is a preferred material for both indoor and outdoor applications. Its strength and natural resistance to pests make it ideal for high-traffic areas and construction needs.

Characteristics of Merbau Wood

• Appearance: Merbau is dark reddish-brown with yellow highlights and visible needle fibers, which give it a distinctive, slightly coarse texture.
• Density and strength:
• Average dried weight of 750–950 kg/m³.
• Janka's hardness is 750–800, indicating a highly durable and dense structure.
• With Strength Class I/II, Merbau can handle heavy loads in both directions relative to its grain.
• Durability: Merbau is in Durability Class I/II, meaning it lasts 8–15 years outdoors in moist soil and nearly indefinitely indoors. It is highly resistant to insects and fungi, making it an excellent choice for humid environments.

Benefits of Merbau Wood

• Construction and flooring: Due to its durability, it is often used for heavy construction, flooring, parquet, and decking.
• Indoor flements: It is ideal for doors, jambs, wall panels, and stairs, where its rich color and resilience add visual appeal.
• Finishing: Works best with dark stains that complement its natural colour, enhancing the unique needle-like grain.

21. Macassar Ebony

Macassar Ebony, also known as Diospyros celebica, is a rare and highly prized hardwood native to Indonesia, particularly on the island of Sulawesi. Known for its deep black and brown streaks, Macassar Ebony is a luxury wood used in fine furniture, musical instruments, and decorative items. Its high density and unique coloring make it one of the most sought-after woods in the world.

Characteristics of Macassar Ebony

• Appearance: Strikingly dark with black and brown streaks, giving it an elegant and exotic look.
• Density and hardness: Extremely dense and hard, making it resilient and long-lasting.
• Rarity: Its limited availability contributes to its high value, as it is a slow-growing tree and thus a precious resource.

Benefits of Macassar Ebony

• High-end furniture: Used in luxurious furniture and cabinetry, often as decorative inlays or accents.
• Musical instruments: Popular for crafting guitar fingerboards and other high-quality musical instruments.
• Art and decor: Commonly used in art pieces and decorative items where its striking grain adds sophistication.

22. Kamper Wood

Kamper wood, scientifically Cinnamomum camphora, is a versatile hardwood that grows in tropical rainforests, especially in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Kamper wood is known for its light colour, smooth grain, and mild scent, making it a popular choice for indoor applications where an elegant yet affordable material is needed.

Characteristics of Kamper Wood

• Appearance: Kamper wood has a light red hue and smooth, fine grain, and it is often preferred for its refined look.
• Density and strength:
• Average dried weight of 500–800 kg/m³.
• Janka hardness of 500–600, with moderate strength for indoor applications.
• Strength Class II, suitable for light construction and decor.
• Durability: Kamper wood is classified as Durability Class III/IV. It is best for indoor use, as it is not highly resistant to weather and pests. It requires additional treatment for prolonged durability in humid or termite-prone areas.

Benefits of Kamper Wood

• Interior furnishings: Used for doors, windows, flooring, and wall panelling due to its fine grain and attractive colour.
• Decorative mouldings: Popular for moldings and louvres in interior spaces.
• Finishing options: Kamper wood can be finished with transparent or coloured stains to emphasise its smooth grain, making it a versatile choice for various design styles.

23. Sungkai Wood

Sungkai wood, or Peronema canescens, is a versatile and affordable wood native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It grows well in elevated regions, particularly on the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Kalimantan. Sungkai is known for its light color and attractive grain, making it a popular choice for indoor decorative applications.

Characteristics of Sungkai Wood

• Appearance: Sungkai wood is yellowish-white and has a fine, attractive grain that resembles teak. This makes it an appealing, budget-friendly alternative to teak for interior applications.
• Density and strength:
• Average dried weight of 550–650 kg/m³.
• Janka hardness of 250–300, placing it in the softer wood category.
• Strength Class II/III, making it moderately strong for light-load applications.
• Durability: With Durability Class III/IV, Sungkai is not highly weather-resistant and is susceptible to insect and fungus attacks. However, if treated properly with preservatives, it can last much longer indoors.

Benefits of Sungkai Wood

• Interior decorative elements: Ideal for wall and ceiling panels, mouldings, and other decorative components.
• Furniture: Used for lighter indoor furniture due to its attractive grain and affordability.
• Finishing: Sungkai’s light colour is suitable for transparent finishes that show off its grain and various stains ranging from light to dark shades.

What is the Strongest Wood in Indonesia?

Ulin wood! Indonesia is home to some of the world’s most durable hardwoods, but Ulin wood, also known as Ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri), is considered the strongest among them.

Native to the rainforests of Borneo, Ulin wood boasts an impressive density (900–1100 kg/m³) and high Janka hardness (1000–1300), making it incredibly resilient and able to withstand heavy loads and extreme environmental conditions.

Resistant to insects, fungi, and moisture, Ulin wood is frequently used in construction, bridges, decking, and other outdoor applications where strength and longevity are essential. This combination of toughness and natural resistance gives Ulin wood the top spot among Indonesia’s most robust timber options.

How to Care for Indonesian Timber Furniture

Investing in solid timber furniture means bringing a piece of natural beauty into your home, and with the proper care, it can last for generations. Here are some simple but essential care instructions to keep Indonesian timber furniture looking its best:

1. Dust Regularly

• Use a soft, dry cloth or feather duster to remove dust and surface debris.
• Avoid abrasive materials or harsh cleaning chemicals, which can scratch or damage the wood's surface.

2. Avoid Direct Sunlight

• Prolonged sunlight exposure can cause wood to fade and discolour.
• Place furniture away from direct sunlight or use curtains or blinds to filter the light, maintaining the wood’s natural colour.

3. Keep Away from Heat Sources

• Heat can dry out wood and cause cracking or warping over time.
• Position furniture away from radiators, fireplaces, and other heat sources to help preserve its moisture content.

4. Clean Spills Promptly

• Use a soft, damp cloth to clean up spills immediately to prevent staining or warping.
• Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can strip or damage the wood's finish.

5. Apply Protective Finishes

• Applying a protective finish such as wax, oil, or polyurethane can safeguard the wood against scratches, stains, and environmental damage.
• Choose a finish that complements the wood type and enhances its natural appearance, and reapply as needed to maintain protection.

Buy Indonesia Wood in Australia

Explore our selection of premium Indonesian timber furniture to bring these exquisite woods' warmth, durability, and character into your home. Shop now to find the perfect piece that reflects both craftsmanship and nature’s finest materials.