Shop Apitong

Boost your woodworking projects with Apitong Specialty Wood, which is exclusively available from Edensaw Woods. This high-quality, durable specialty wood is ideal for a variety of uses, including furniture, truck flooring, heavy construction projects, boat decking, and many more. They are designed to withstand the test of time and any form of harsh weather, especially if well-finished. Our team of professionals can assist you in selecting the ideal cut of Apitong specialty wood for your specific woodworking project, as well as walk you through our extensive variety of specialty woods such as Air Dried Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Air Dried Boule, and Air Dried Fir.

Apitong, or Keruing, is a type of special hardwood from the Dipterocarpus Grandiflorus tree. It mainly comes from Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. This wood is known for its great qualities that make it very useful for certain applications, especially in industrial, marine, and outdoor areas. Apitong is a special type of wood that is highly valued for its strength, and ability to withstand the weather with an aesthetic appeal. It is especially used in specific areas like building boats, and transportation.

Properties of Apitong:

Density and Hardness: Apitong has a higher density and is typically 20% harder than red oak. Its high density increases its strength and rigidity, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications.

Durability: It is known for its strength and resistance to impact, which is why it is preferred for flooring that must sustain heavy loads. However, its durability varies depending on the specific species within the Apitong/Keruing group.

Moisture Resistance: The wood has natural oils that provide moisture resistance, which is essential for outdoor or variable-weather conditions.

Color and Grain: The heartwood ranges from light to dark red-brown, with a purple undertone at times. It has a straight or interlaced grain that can change, impacting its appearance and workability.

Resin: Apitong contains natural resins, which can help prevent decay but make finishing and machining more difficult due to resin buildup.

Silica Content: Some Apitong kinds contain silica, which can rapidly dull tools and cause finishing challenges.

Shrinkage: It has high tangential and radial shrinkage rates, necessitating careful moisture content management to prevent displacement during service.

Uses of Apitong:

Truck & Trailer Flooring: Because of its strength, durability, and wear resistance, it is most commonly used in truck and trailer decking. It is highly appreciated for its capacity to manage large, concentrated loads.

Outdoor Applications: Ideal for decking, boardwalks, and other outside structures that require endurance against weather and biological hazards such as termites.

Furniture and Construction: Used in heavy construction projects, furniture frames, and industrial flooring where high strength and resistance to denting are beneficial.

Marine and Industrial Uses: Its properties make it useful for marine applications and in environments where resistance to chemicals or rot is necessary.

Sourcing and Environmental Considerations:

Sustainability: While not included in the CITES Appendices, numerous Dipterocarpus species (from which Apitong is derived) are on the IUCN Red List, including some critically endangered. This raises issues of sustainability and ethical sourcing.

Sourcing: Apitong comes mostly from managed forests in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Due to the environmental impact of logging, ethical sourcing, and sustainable procedures must be considered.

Alternatives: Due to environmental concerns and availability limitations, alternatives such as Brazilian Apitong (Angelim Pedra) may provide similar qualities with a lower environmental impact.

Handling and Processing:

Machining: It machines well, similar to oak, although the presence of silica and resin might make cutting, sanding, and finishing difficult.

Drying: Apitong dries slowly and can decay if not handled properly, resulting in checking, warping, and collapse.

Maintenance:

Maintenance and Repair: Despite its strength, Apitong is very straightforward to repair, making it ideal for applications like truck decking where maintenance is required on a regular basis.

Long-Term Care: For exterior applications such as decking, regular care is required. Periodic cleaning and application of protective coatings help to maintain its beauty and extend its life.

Weathering: If exposed to the elements without finish, it will weather over time to a grayish color, but this does not affect its structural integrity.

Are you ready to bring your design concept to life? With Edensaw Woods’ Apritong specialty wood, the possibilities are limitless. This specialty hardwood has the flexibility and durability required for marine applications, industrial applications, outdoor furnitures, decking and many others. We at Edensaw Woods do not limit our specialty woods offering to Apitong, we also carry Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Air Dried Fir, and Air Dried Boule that are noted to be absolute game changers in both residential and commercial settings. Contact us today to talk about your project and experience the transformational power of Apitong Specialty Wood. Allow us to assist you in finding the best specialty hardwood product for your needs, style, and budget.