Mahogany wood is considered one of the best options within the world of carpentry and wood in general. It is extremely versatile and of high quality, offering excellent results in practically all its uses. Besides beauty, it is also very resistant, both for blows and for humidity.

Although of tropical origin, it has been known in the West for a long time. It is perhaps the first tropical wood to spread across Europe. This is not a casual issue, it is due to the excellent quality of the material.

Originally, it has its origin in South America, especially Venezuela and Brazil, and in Central America. You risk Super explorationtherefore being protected. It is necessary to have the appropriate licenses for export. This circumstance, coupled with high demand, makes the the price of mahogany wood is high.

Its scientific name is Swietenia macrophylla.

Mahogany Features

Color: Wood tones range from reddish to brown. With salmon tones near the crust, we will find darker tones as we go deeper. Mahogany wood also darkens over time until it reaches its characteristic brown tones. The sapwood is clearly differentiated from the heartwood.

Fiber: Straight or slightly crossed.

Grain: Thin to medium.

Density: It has an approximate density of 570-600 kg / m³. Therefore, we are facing a semi-light wood.

Toughness: It is semi-soft, 2.7 according to the Chaláis-Meudon test.

Durability: Resistance to rot, humidity, insects and fungi. This makes it a highly durable wood, even when used outdoors.

Dimensional stability: Mahogany wood is dimensionally stable. That is, under normal conditions it does not deform and its seasonal movements are also very limited.

  • Volumetric shrinkage coefficient: 0.22% slightly edgy wood.
  • Relationship between contractions: 1.42% with no tendency to deform.

Mechanical properties:

  • Resistance to static bending 830 kg / cmtwo.
  • Modulus of elasticity 89,000 kg / cmtwo.
  • Compressive strength 450 kg / cmtwo.

Workability. It is generally an easy wood to work with:

  • Sawn. Easy.
  • Drying. Simple and fast. There is a small risk of deformation.
  • Brushed. No notable problems.
  • Glued. Smoothly.
  • Nailed and screwed. Easy.
  • Finish. No problem, except when using polyester varnishes.

Price: High.

Uses of mahogany wood

what is mahogany
  • Manufacture of quality interior furniture. It is the main use of mahogany wood and the reason it is so well known.
  • Outdoor furniture.
  • Interior and exterior carpentry. Doors, friezes, friezes, baseboards, cladding, wall …
  • Decorative plates.
  • Manufacture of musical instruments. It is much sought after for electric guitars that require a solid body.
  • Artistic objects, carvings and / or sculptures.
  • Spinning.
  • Manufacture of boats. This use was especially intense for centuries, being at that time the main use of mahogany wood. It is interesting for this use, as it is not a heavy wood, it is stable and behaves very well in humid environments.