Lauan (Philippine Mahogany)
Shorea spp. • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked, open coarse texture with long linear pores. Flat-sawn appearance common in plywood veneers.
Color Description
Reddish-brown to light pinkish-tan heartwood. Sapwood is typically pale yellow. Low to moderate luster, tends to gray or darken slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
420 lbf (Very Soft) to 800 lbf (Soft) depending on specific Shorea species
Durability Rating
Non-durable to Slightly Durable; low resistance to rot and insect attack, poor weathering characteristics without treatment.
Common Uses
Plywood cores, utility veneers, hollow-core doors, drawer bottoms, subflooring, and inexpensive furniture components.
Geographic Origin
Southeast Asia, primarily the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $6.00 per board foot (standard lumber) or $30-$60 per 4x8 plywood sheet.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern (1-5 years); the surface shows fresh mill marks, lack of patina, and typical mass-produced plywood texture.
Sustainability Status
Many species are IUCN Red List vulnerable or endangered; CITES Appendix II for some related timber, FSC available but inconsistent.
Workability
Easily worked with hand and machine tools due to low density, though fuzzy grain can occur during sanding. glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Often has a distinct moderate cedar-like scent when freshly cut; stringy, fibrous texture that can cause splinters. Often sold as Meranti.
Finish Recommendations
Requires a sanding sealer or grain filler for a smooth finish due to open pores. Responds well to lacquer, polyurethane, and oil-based stains.
Identification Confidence
High. The visible coarse, open-vessel structure, reddish-tan hue, and fibrous surface texture are definitive characteristics of Lauan/Meranti plywood veneer.