Exotic wood is a category of wood that takes its name from where it comes from. Coming from foreign countries, these woods are mainly found in exotic regions such as South America, Africa and Asia.
Exotic wood species are widespread in the construction field because of their strength and their durability. So, even though they are most often used outdoors, other uses are worth noting: cabinetmaking or joinery, for example.
To get a clearer picture of exotic woods, we will cover the following points:
- What is an exotic wood?
- The list of exotic woods to know about
- What uses are there for an exotic wood species?
- Other questions about exotic wood species
What is an exotic wood?
An exotic or tropical wood is a wood species originating from abroad, coming mainly from so-called exotic continents such as Asia, South America and Africa. There are not far off 200 exotic wood species in the world, some of them very well known such as ipe or itauba, for example.
Exotic woods are hard, strong and rot-proof, which is to say that they resist water. They are durable and can withstand all kinds of weather for many years without deteriorating.
What is more, an exotic wood species has a distinctive appearance that makes it ideal for creating a certain harmony in your surroundings. The warm character of tropical wood is far from negligible for your various projects, such as a wooden deck.
The list of exotic woods to know about
Among the nearly 200 that exist around the world, here is the list of the 12 best-known but also most widely used exotic woods in the construction field:
However, if you would like to go further and see the complete list of exotic wood species, you will find it below:
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What uses are there for an exotic wood species?
An exotic wood species offers various opportunities for use, such as outdoor fitting-out, cabinetmaking or joinery. Some of them are use class 5, allowing direct contact with fresh or salt water, as is the case with massaranduba. However, uses can vary according to the exotic wood; the most frequent are the following:
- Exotic wood species for outdoor fitting-out: being rot-proof and strong, these species are ideal for building an exotic wood deck, for example.
- Exotic woods for cabinetmaking: the appearance of tropical woods is indisputable and offers a unique result for making exotic wood furniture, for example.
- An exotic wood for joinery: hard and strong, exotic wood species are perfect for your joinery work, indoors as well as outdoors.
Among the most widespread exotic wood species, each one has its own characteristics that are worth knowing so as to use them wisely. Ipe, for instance, is mainly used for making wooden decks because of its stability and its durability. Itauba too, because it has excellent resistance to temperature changes.
Then there are the coloured exotic wood species such as cumaru, padauk, a strong and dense red exotic wood, and garapa, which is a yellow exotic wood offering a different colouring that can help you stand out.
Next, jatoba, macacauba and merbau are versatile, fine exotic wood species used for laying floors and for making furniture or musical instruments. It should be noted that sucupira and teak are strong and can be used in boat building. Finally, sipo is a slightly different exotic wood that resists termites and fungi better than it resists moisture.
Other questions about exotic wood species
What is the price per m2 of exotic wood?
The price per m2 of exotic wood can vary widely according to the exotic wood species chosen, ranging from around 60 euros to 210 euros per m2. An ipe deck will cost you on average between 60 and 210 euros per m2, whereas you will have to pay out between 80 and 180 euros per m2 for a padauk deck, for example.
Which exotic wood should you choose for a deck?
The exotic wood chosen for a wooden deck should be selected according to your own criteria. Colour, strength and density can all come into play. Garapa will give you a touch of originality, whereas cumaru will allow you to save money.
What maintenance does an exotic wood deck need?
Maintenance for an exotic wood deck proves fairly simple, because these are strong and stable woods. It can, however, vary according to the exotic wood species. Cumaru, for example, is more sensitive to pests. It will therefore need to be treated accordingly with a saturator specially designed for this type of wood, for example. What is more, you can apply a protective oil to protect your deck.
Exotic wood covers various wood species with similar characteristics, and they all come from foreign countries. Strong and rot-proof, they are often used in outdoor fitting-out. You now know everything about exotic wood species thanks to WoodPartners!