Okoume is the wood of the Okoume tree (Aucoumea klaineana), a species native to west-central Africa, in particular Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo. Okoume is widely used for veneers and is often processed into plywood.

Is Okoume good for furniture?

Okoume plywood is commonly used for building racing boats and other uses where lightweight wood is needed. It can also be used for building furniture or on kitchen cabinets because of its lustrous appearance.

Is Okoume a hardwood?

This is the commercial name for timber that comes from the tree Aucoumea klaineana, an African hardwood also known as “Gaboon” or alternately “Angouma.” It has been widely used throughout Europe over the past century.

Is okoume veneer toxic?

Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Okoume has been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as other effects such as asthma-like symptoms, coughing, and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Is Okoume mahogany?

Another is a wood known as okoume (sometimes known as gabon from its main country of origin). This wood is softer, and leans toward the warmer side of the classic mahogany tone. Because it is softer, okoume often is used as a laminate, giving it additional rigidity.

Is okoume wood waterproof?

Although not known for its water resistance, Okoume plywood is an exceptional choice for building racing boats as well as for other applications in which strength and light weight are desirable.

How hard is Okoume wood?

Properties. Okoume has a low density, with a mean weight of 25 pounds per cubic foot. It is considered very soft, rendering it unsuitable for use in situations requiring durability, such as flooring. On the Janka scale, a standard measure of wood hardness, Okoume’s rating is only 380.

What does Okume mean?

(Forestry) the dark mahogany-like wood from a western and central African burseraceous tree, Aucoumea klaineana, used in plywood, for furniture, and as a veneer. [C20: altered from Gabon] ———- okoumé

What is Okoume marine plywood?

Okoume marine plywood is lightest in weight among marine plywood products available. Okoume is strong and easy to work with for tooling. It has moderate resistance to rot and mildew. It is used for hull and deck components, bulk heads, and hatches, where weight is an important factor.

Is rubberwood a hardwood?

Durable. Contrary to most Western beliefs, rubberwood is not as flexible as you think. It’s quite a durable hardwood, belonging to the maple family. It has a strength of about 9500 psi, stiffness of 1.3 million psi, and hardness of 500 pounds.

Is veneer furniture toxic?

Veneer is a very thin layer of wood attached to particle board to create the look of solid wood, but the result contains sawdust and many adhesives (including toxic ones). While the odors themselves aren’t necessarily toxic, veneers generally have particleboard that contains formaldehyde, a carcinogen.

Is laminate furniture toxic?

Some Wood Laminate Furniture Is Toxic The adhesives used in some products may be toxic. In short, because it contains toxic VOCs like formaldehyde, laminated wood furniture is a serious potential human health liability.

Is engineered wood furniture toxic?

Composite and engineered woods often called wooden or wood, and these man-made materials are toxic, and pollute indoor environments with chemicals, including known carcinogens, allergens, developmental and reproductive toxins.

What wood is mahogany?

There are many species of mahogany, mainly grown in North and Central America. Known for its straight grain and characteristic red brown colour, it polishes and oils very well and can be buffed to a very high shine. An exceptionally durable hardwood, it is the ideal choice for furniture and fittings around the home.

Why is mahogany illegal?

Following the path of ivory, in 2003, mahogany was listed on the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as a species in need of strict regulation to prevent its extinction. Because Peruvian mahogany is traded in violation of CITES, it is illegal to trade or possess it under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

Is Sapele a mahogany?

It is occasionally used as a substitute for Genuine Mahogany, and is sometimes referred to as “Sapele Mahogany.” Technically, the two genera that are commonly associated with mahogany are Swietenia and Khaya, while Sapele is in the Entandrophragma genus, but all three are included in the broader Meliaceae family, so