Tropical Hardwood

Massaranduba

Massaranduba (Manilkara bidentata), also known as Brazilian Redwood or Bulletwood, is an exceptionally hard and durable tropical hardwood originating from Central and South America. Its heartwood features a deep reddish‑brown colour that naturally weathers to a uniform silver‑grey tone over time.

With its very high density, outstanding wear resistance and natural durability, Massaranduba is among the most robust hardwood species for exterior use. It is highly valued for decking, façade cladding, bridge decking, load‑bearing structures and walkways — combining elegant appearance with surprisingly good machinability for such a dense timber.

Due to its long lifespan and strong resistance to biological decay, it is widely used as a sustainable alternative to other tropical hardwoods in demanding building projects.

Delivery subject to stock availability.
Free pick up in our warehouse at Zottegem.
Shipping within Europe possible.

Qualities
Massaranduba is extremely dense and heavy, with a fine, smooth texture and generally straight grain. Colour ranges from light reddish‑brown to dark red‑purple, later ageing to a consistent greyish brown.
It is naturally very durable (class 1), resistant to fungi and insects, and internationally recognised for its structural performance and load‑bearing strength.
Key Characteristics
- Very high density: 900–1100 kg/m³ at 12% MC
  Durability: class 1–2; excellent resistance to decay & insects
- Texture: fine, uniform, smooth appearance
- Wear and impact resistance: exceptionally high
  (Janka hardness ≈ 3,130–3,190 lbf)
- Machining: good results, though tools dull quickly; pre‑drilling required
- Drying: slow; risk of deformation or checking when improperly dried
Applications
Massaranduba is one of the strongest and most versatile South‑American hardwoods — ideal for both heavy‑duty exterior construction and premium interior applications.
Exterior Applications
- Terraces and premium decking
- Bridge decking & piers
- Footbridges and walkways
- Exterior stairs, railings & pergolas
- Façade cladding & sidings
- Structures in humid or freshwater environments
- Boatbuilding & pontoons
Interior Applications
- Heavy-duty flooring, parquet and industrial floors
- Staircases
- Furniture components, turnery & decorative panels
Technical specifications
Durability Class
- Class 1–2 (very durable)
  Excellent resistance to decay, fungi and insects; but susceptible to marine borers.
Workability
- Good machining results despite extreme density
- Significant tool blunting; pre‑drilling absolutely required
Colour
- Deep reddish‑brown to dark purple‑brown
- Weathers uniformly to grey
Density
- 900–1100 kg/m³ @ 12% MC
  Verified range: 1,080 kg/m³
Shrinkage
- Radial: 6.3–6.7%
- Tangential: 9.4%
Dimensional Stability
- Moderately stable
- Slow drying; risk of warping or checking
Biological Durability
- Excellent resistance to fungi, insects and abrasion
- Not resistant to marine borers