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:
- 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!
- 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.
- Durable. Use Sapele inside or out – it doesn’t matter. The wood will last a long time either way.
- Affordable. Sapele sits at about the same price point as a middle of the road domestic lumber and is cheaper than walnut.
- Stable. Sapele lumber is usually quarter sawn, even without specifying, which makes for some very cooperative wood.
- 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′.
- 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.
- 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.