What’s So Great About Sapele?

I use Sapele (sə-PEE-lee) lumber pretty often. I use it much more than you would think considering I mill my own lumber (which I would argue makes it almost free) and I have to buy Sapele. When it showed up on a recent bill from our lumber wholesaler, my wife/accountant who tends to question my purchases asked, “What’s so great about Sapele? I thought walnut was the best.” Well, after ordering even more for a recent door job, here are the reasons I came up with to defend my purchase:

1. The Look. Sapele or Sapele mahogany is just pretty, like mahogany. It is a nice rusty red color which darkens and gets richer with age. Usually the lumber is quarter sawn which creates a ribbon striation in the grain. And, the chatoyance (light reflectivity variation), just wow!
2. Takes stain great. As nice as Sapele is, sometimes the project calls for the wood to be stained. This semi-ring-porous wood accepts all stains evenly. Really, it is hard to mess it up.
3. Durable. Use Sapele inside or out – it doesn’t matter. The wood will last a long time either way.
4. Affordable. Sapele sits at about the same price point as a middle of the road domestic lumber and is cheaper than walnut.
5. Stable. Sapele lumber is usually quarter sawn, even without specifying, which makes for some very cooperative wood.
6. Wide and long. I’ve never seen a Sapele tree, but they must be huge. The lumber is often wide and commonly available in lengths over 12′.
7. Machines well. Sapele isn’t quite the perfect wood to work with (it is sometimes a little chippy), but it is up there with our favorites. By the way, my favorite to work is sassafras.
8. Not too heavy. For an imported and durable wood, Sapele is quite light in weight. Pick up some Bubinga and you’ll see what I mean.

I’m sure that there are even more reasons that will pop in my head after I post this, but let’s just say I like Sapele a lot – enough to go out and buy it when I am already surrounded by “free” wood.

Click on the YouTube link above to check out our latest door project
and to see the great Sapele lumber in action.