Red Sal is a large South East Asian hardwood with a broad range of applications including general construction and as an internal and external finishing material. An imported timber with a reputation for durability, Red Sal is a large hardwood used for general construction and as an internal and external finishing material. It has a similarly broad range of applications in Australia. Sourced in the tropical lowland rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia, Red Sal trees can grow to 60m in height and to a diameter of between 80 and 100cm. Well-formed buttresses support their straight, cylindrical bole and the trunk is free of branches for up to 30m. The bark is grey brown or dark brown with shallow fissures. When freshly cut, the timber releases a camphor-like odour but is not moth repellent or resistant to termites. Red Sal wood exhibits a class 2 durability, making it ideal for use in general construction. It makes an attractive material for flooring and staircases. The timber is also highly prized for external joinery, in particular for door and window sills, as it is resistant to decay when fully exposed to the weather. This timber is not recommended for in-ground use (durability in ground class 3). Often preferred for external decking, it can also be used to create sturdy outdoor furniture. Red Sal wood requires no finishing and will not rot when left outdoors where rain and sun will damage other lesser quality woods. Left untreated, Red Sal will weather to a soft warm shade of gray similar to the weathering of teak. It can also been used decoratively to create internal fittings, plywood, joinery and lining, as it displays a striking figure. Appearance: Red Sal is lustrous with sapwood that is clearly distinct from heartwood. The sapwood ranges from almost white to light yellowish brown in colour and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood, which is red to reddish brown. Red Sal exhibits variable grains from straight to spiral, to deeply interlocked grains that create a striking figure. The wood has a moderately coarse to even texture. Common Applications: Red Sal is suitable for general construction: posts, beams, joists, rafters, fender supports, telegraphic and power transmission posts and cross arms. It is used in door and window frames and sills, flooring, staircases and internal joinery. It can be used to make pallets (heavy and permanent types), tool handles (impact), internal plywood, laboratory benches and columns (light duty). In domestic flooring and internal fittings where a finished appearance is important, care should be taken in fixing because of its tendency to develop an unsightly black stain in contact with iron nails, screws or other fittings. Common Form: Sawn Workability: Red Sal working properties are good with a moderately hard rating (rated 3). The timber machines well, being easy to re-saw and cross-cut when green, but more difficult when dried. There is a moderate blunting effect on cutting edges caused by the presence of silica in the timber, which can be severe where the grain is interlocked. The material tends to break out at the bottom of cuts in cross-cutting and narrow band sawing. Planing is easy and produces a rough surface. Pre-drilling is recommended when nailing near extremities, but otherwise the timber takes nails and screws well. Polishing, staining and painting are also easy. Steam bending qualities are rated moderate as steaming operations release resin.