| Author |
Message |
Phil Babinec
Intermediate Member
Username: phil_babinec
Post Number: 4
Registered: 07-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2019 - 04:15 pm: |    |
Substitution request for sapele wood sidng in lieu of western red cedar.
To be painted.
Thoguhts?
Literature says harder than cedar and suitable for exterior trim but does not go into rot, decay, or insect resistance. Seems more favorable for flooring and furniture. |
Dan Helphrey
Senior Member
Username: dbhelphrey
Post Number: 40
Registered: 12-2018
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 02, 2019 - 05:36 pm: | |
In my experience, sapele is universally used for for the appearance of its grain - with correct stain it closely resembles mahogany. I can't imagine why anyone would use it painted, nor can I believe it would be cheaper than more common woods used for siding.
As for natural decay resistance, I don't have specific information, but I have never heard of it being used in exterior applications other than trim. As far as I know, it is not used as a mahogany substitute in marine applications. |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 2205
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 03, 2019 - 10:06 am: | |
From my friend and wood expert, Margaret Fisher (who is now with AWI): "Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) originates from central and western Africa. Only moderate decay resistance, oxidizes fairly quickly to grey/black. Cost might be $6.00 - $9.00 per board foot depending on cut, grade, figure or plain, quantity, load, etc. This wood is generally thought of as a fine cabinet/millwork species, not exterior siding. For exterior siding, another species to consider is black locust. I am pretty sure you can get some other domestics thermally modified, Ash, poplar etc." And she suggested this resource: www.thermoryusa.com |
Ed Storer
Senior Member
Username: ed_storer
Post Number: 41
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, October 03, 2019 - 01:15 pm: | |
The body of one of my guitars is Sapele; it does closely resemble mahogany. I can't imagine why anyone would want to use it for painted siding. |
Liz O'Sullivan
Senior Member
Username: liz_osullivan
Post Number: 251
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, October 03, 2019 - 05:43 pm: | |
I also have a Sapele guitar, which I figured out when my husband and I got a deal at a lumber yard on what must have been some leftover Sapele milled for tongue and groove flooring for someone else's large flooring job. Although I hadn't touched the guitar in years, I recognized the smell of the wood.
We used it for the front porch on our old house, even though it is less resistant to damage from insects than other woods. I stained it, and it is beautiful.
I am guessing that the substitution request probably came about because someone had some left over from another job, and wanted to get rid of it, which seems to be why we ended up with ours. |
Ed Storer
Senior Member
Username: ed_storer
Post Number: 43
Registered: 05-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 - 04:30 pm: | |
Lynn,
Despite the reservations that I expressed to the designer, I specified black locust siding on a project near Pittsburg.
The objective was to use a decay-resistant wood without any stain or paint.
The client hated it. It warped and twisted a lot. It discolored rapidly. Eventually a stain was applied.
Locusts are pretty "gnarly" trees and it is difficult to get nice straight lumber without a whole lot of waste. |
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