Wood Species Guide
Merbau
Intsia spp. (mainly I. bijuga and I. palembanica)
Also called: Kwila, Ipil, Moluccan Ironwood, Intsia
About the name “Merbau”
Merbau covers two closely related Intsia species sold together. It is a cousin of afzelia, which has its own page. In the Pacific islands the same wood is called kwila.
What Merbau looks like
Heartwood is orange brown when fresh and darkens to a rich reddish brown. Small yellow mineral flecks often show in the pores. Sapwood is pale and distinct.
Grain and texture
Grain is straight to interlocked, with a coarse texture and a modest luster.
Working Merbau: planing, cutting and gluing
Gums up and dulls saw teeth, so keep blades clean and sharp. It planes reasonably well with light passes and glues and finishes well. The sawdust has a strong smell that makes some people sneeze.
Finishing Merbau: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil and film finishes well. Merbau holds water-soluble brown extractives that can bleed and stain concrete, light woods or a white epoxy pour, so seal it well and keep wet sawdust off light surfaces. Seal the coarse pores before epoxy. It darkens with light.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Very durable against rot and resistant to insect attack. It is stable once dry, which makes it a common flooring and decking wood. For Florida decks, expect the first rains to wash tannin stains onto anything below until it weathers.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Merbau comes in wide, long boards, so it makes solid tabletops, benches and bar tops as well as flooring and decks. It machines better than most woods this hard. Watch the brown bleed on light epoxy and stone; seal first. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Merbau
Flooring, decking, furniture, tabletops, stair treads, musical instruments and turned objects.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. The IUCN lists Intsia bijuga as Vulnerable due to heavy logging. Illegal logging has been a problem, so ask for legal-origin paperwork.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory / asthma
Skin irritation and sneezing or a runny nose are the usual complaints. Serious reactions are uncommon.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask or respirator when sanding; gloves for sensitive skin
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Mild allergic reactions are reported, mostly skin irritation and a runny nose or sneezing from the sawdust. Use dust collection and a mask.
Merbau in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Merbau listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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