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Merbau - Live Edge
Merbau - Live Edge Price range: £952.06 through £1,015.520.25 m³ + VAT
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Sipo - Live Edge
Sipo - Live Edge £0.000.25 m³ + VAT

Sapele- Live Edge

Price range: £580.30 through £625.630.25 m³ + VAT

From the rainforests of tropical Africa, Sapele stands as a symbol of elegance and resilience. As a member of the same family as mahogany, it exhibits many of the beloved characteristics of its famed relative but adds its own unique flair.

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SKU: Sapele Categories: , , ,
Description

LIVE EDGE OR SQUARE EDGE BOARDS

Product Description: Sapele Timber

We can order in this timber, which takes 5-10 working days. Do call us or get in touch on our Contact Us page and speak to our passionate team.

Overview

From the rich rainforests of tropical Africa, Sapele is known for its radiant sheen and steadfast reliability. This timber is characterised by its medium-to-heavy weight, lustrous finish, and a deep reddish-brown hue. Its colour spectrum, from a warm gold to a richer mahogany, makes it an ideal choice for opulent furniture, precision joinery, and decorative veneers.

Appearance

Board Edges: Available in Live Edge, Waney Edge or Square Edge

Colour & Grain: Sapele radiates a pronounced reddish-brown, darkening gracefully with maturity. Its grain is often interlocked, adding depth and visual complexity.

Patterns: Despite a generally consistent hue, its subtle ribbon-like patterns or occasional wave-like markings enhance its elegance.

Special Note: Sapele’s reflective sheen and adaptability make it a favoured choice for various finishes, magnifying its inherent beauty. Epitomising the heart and soul of tropical Africa, Timber Lot’s Sapele Timber stands as a beacon of luxury and durability.

Technical Specification

Common Name: Popularly referred to as Sapele.

Family: Meliaceae

Genus: Entandrophragma

Measurement Details: Supplied in cubic metres (M3) (1M3 is tantamount to 35.315 Ft3.)

Weight (Kiln Dried): 640 KG/M3.

Format: Waney edge sawn boards or straight edge sawn boards.

Width: Plank widths begin at 150mm, potentially beyond 250mm – call us if you have specific requirements.

Uses of Sapele

Premium Furniture: Its deep hue and glossy finish make it a sought-after material for luxury furniture.

Fine Joinery: Sapele’s consistency and interlocked grain make it a top contender for detailed joinery projects.

Decorative Veneers: Its striking appearance and sheen are brilliantly showcased in veneer applications.

Musical Instruments: Resonant qualities of Sapele are leveraged in crafting instruments, especially guitars.

Flooring: Its durability paired with its radiant hue makes it a leading choice for elegant flooring solutions.

Doors & Windows: Given its resistance to the elements, it’s frequently chosen for external door and window constructions.

Characteristics of Sapele

Colour: Dominantly, it exudes a deep reddish-brown, ageing to a more profound mahogany shade.

Grain: Noted for its interlocked grain, it confers a layered, multidimensional aesthetic.

Durability: Endowed with natural robustness, it promises longevity in various applications.

Workability: Valued by craftsmen for its flexibility, it permits intricate designs with ease.

Finishing: Its natural sheen pairs seamlessly with diverse finishes, enriching its sumptuous appeal.

Texture: Sapele’s smooth surface is occasionally adorned with unique patterns, making each piece distinct.

 

Further details about our Grades can be found here.

 

Shipping and delivery
  1. Order Placement:
    • Online: Simply select the desired amount of timber on our website. Each unit corresponds to 0.25m³. Follow the checkout process to make a payment.
    • Phone Orders: You can also call our customer service line to place your order. Our representatives will guide you through the process and provide the necessary details for payment.
  2. Order Confirmation & Tracking:
    • Once your order is confirmed and processed, you will receive a unique Tracking ID via email. This allows you to monitor the status of your shipment and receive regular updates.
    • Should you face any issues or require clarifications regarding the Tracking ID, please reach out to our customer support team.
  3. Lead Time:
    • After order confirmation, the lead time for delivery is typically between 5 to 10 working days. This can vary based on the availability of the timber. We endeavor to expedite all orders and will keep you informed throughout the process.
  4. Prior Notification:
    • We understand that you may need to make arrangements to receive the timber. Therefore, we will notify you prior to delivery, providing you with a tentative date and time window, ensuring you can be prepared.
  5. Delivery Details:
    • Our standard delivery is curbside. This means that the timber will be delivered to the front of your property or as close to it as possible.
    • If you require a different delivery arrangement, such as placing the timber in a specific location on your property, please inform us in advance so we can accommodate your needs. Additional charges may apply.
  6. Order Inspection:
    • Upon delivery, you are responsible for inspecting your order. Please ensure that the timber delivered matches the quantity and quality as per your order. Any discrepancies should be reported to our team immediately.

Refer to: https://timberlot.co.uk/terms-conditions/ for complete Terms of Sale.

Note: Please ensure that there is adequate space for the delivery vehicle and that the area is clear of any obstructions. If there are specific delivery instructions or if you foresee any potential challenges, please inform us in advance.

Technical Specification

Board Thickness & Dimensions:

Description Thickness (mm) Thickness (inches)
Kiln Dried Boards 27 / 32 / 41 / 54 / 65 1 / 1¼ / 1½ / 2 / 2½
Kiln Dried Boards 80 / 100 3 / 4

Moisture Content:

Description Thickness (mm) Moisture Content
Kiln Dried Boards 27 – 54 10 – 14%
Kiln Dried Boards 65 – 100 12 – 18%

Durability: Sapele is a durable hardwood, offering good resistance to decay and rot. It's often used in applications where both beauty and durability are desired, such as cabinetry, flooring, and boatbuilding.

Workability: Sapele is generally easy to work with, both with hand tools and machines, although its interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing and other woodworking operations. It holds screws and nails well, and it glues, stains, and finishes beautifully. Using sharp tools is recommended for the best results.

Insect Attack: Sapele's natural properties offer resistance against termites and other wood-boring insects. However, routine inspection and maintenance are always advised to ensure the wood remains in pristine condition.

Fixings: It's recommended to pre-drill when working with Sapele, especially when near the edges, to avoid splitting. Using high-quality fixings, such as stainless steel or brass, is ideal to prevent any potential reactions with the wood's natural substances.

Fire: Sapele's density provides it with some inherent fire resistance. Its exact fire rating will depend on specific conditions and treatments. While it offers a better fire resistance level than many softer woods, specialized treatments can further enhance its resistance.

Disclaimer: Timber Lot strives to provide accurate information. We are in no way liable for any inadvertent mistakes or omissions nor for damages arising from the information provided. Customers are asked to examine goods on receipt and alert Timber Lot of any discrepancies. Consult our Terms and Conditions in the website footer for more information.

Grades

Timber Grades 

Class A/B Mix / FAS (Recommended): FAS quality, cabinetry grade timber. Mostly no knots, with some knots spaced no less than 1m apart.

Class A / PRIME (Joinery Grade - No Knots): Our PRIME equivalent. Our highest grade of timber, carefully selected for the client. No significant knots. Ideal for the finest joinery and cabinetry, for long sections for windows, doors, furniture and claddings. 

  • Accepted: Mild grain deviation, subtle colour differences, centre splits with measurement deduction, few isolated defects
  • Not Accepted: Significant knots, erratic grain, decay, bark enclosures, extensive insect damage

Class B / COMMON (Joinery Grade - Few Knots): COMMON grade equivalent. High-quality with minimal knots spaced at least 1m apart. Ideal for furniture, joinery, and cabinetry, similar to "prime-grade" as per NHLA grading. 

  • Accepted: Gentle grain deviation, knots up to 40mm, minimum 1000mm Clear Wood Cutting, other defects outside of Clear Wood Cutting
  • Not Accepted: Erratic grain structures, decay, bark pockets, and overwhelming insect disturbances.

Class C / RUSTIC Grade. Contains more knots and imperfections, with the classic rustic appearance. Aesthetically desirable for many projects.

  • Accepted: All knots and imperfections. Centre splits with adjusted measurement.
  • Not Accepted: Decay and severe insect damage, extensive movement defects.

For a comprehensive guide to our grading.