lpil, kwila (Intsia spp.)
Appearance
Color: Heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown when freshly cut, turning brown or dark red- brown upon exposure.
Grain: Straight to interlocked or wavy; coarse texture.
Variations Within Species And Grades: Moderate to high variation in color.
Properties
Hardness/Janka: 1925; 49% harder than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00158; 57% more stable than red oak). However, actual installations have demonstrated significant movement in use.
Durability: Strength is comparable to hickory, but density is somewhat lower.
Workability
Sawing/Machining: Sawing is difficult; wood gums saw teeth and dulls cutting edges; carbine tooling recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Wood stains black in contact with ferrous metals or moisture.
Comments: High resistance to termites.
Cost
(relative to plainsawn select red oak)
Multiplier: 1.25
Availability
Limited.
Source: National Wood Flooring Association