Whether you are planning on a new dresser, new kitchen cabinets, flooring, or new window trim and doors, sapele is a wonderful choice that will bring value and color. Unfortunately sapele is not used that commonly in the United States yet. Europe, especially Germany, has found the beauty of this wood since before WWII.
Sapele is a great wood choice for any home improvement project for indoors or outdoors. It has a medium to dark reddish brown or purplish brown that will darken with age. It is sometimes referred to as Sapele mahogany and comes from the same family as mahogany. Sapele is considered a hard wood, ranking 1500 on the Janka hardness scale. It is more durable than mahogany, compared more to oak in it's durability meaning that your family will be able to enjoy it for years to come. Another thing that makes Sapele so attractive is that the cost of this beautiful wood is close to half of what mahogany will cost you.
Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum), is a large native tree most commonly found in tropical Africa. The tree is also known as aboudikro Sapelli, Penkwa, or Undianuno. Sapele has protected populations and felling restrictions in place in some countries. To be sure you are getting the regulated grade wood search for a location that sells wood approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Sapele's Average Board Size is 6-8" Wide x 8-16' Long. When working with Sapele, it's small pores can create quite a mess of dust but the results are worth the clean up. It also has interlocking grain that can also be a bit problematic when working in some machine operations but is fairly easy to use with hand tools. It does nail, glue, and finish well. When it is being cut it has a distinct cedar like scent.
In Europe, sapele is most sought for doors, windows, and hardwood flooring. It is also a great wood for bookcases, cabinets and other high-grade furniture. It is used on boats, interiors of Cadillacs, and for making guitars and harps. Historically it has been used in making German plane propellers prior to WWII and to make the neck piece of ukuleles.
As one can see, Sapele, is a wonderful choice for so many projects that the uses seem endless. It's beauty is timeless and can become a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation. On your next home renovation project ask for Sapele.
