Tropical Hardwood

Padauk

Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii) is an exotic and highly durable hardwood species originating from Central and West Africa, with some varieties also found in Southeast Asia. The species is globally appreciated for its striking red‑orange colour, which gradually transforms into an elegant silver‑grey patina under exposure to light and weather.

Padauk naturally offers excellent resistance to moisture, fungi and insects, and is distinguished by its stability, strength and workability. These properties make it a top choice for façade cladding, decking, outdoor furniture, exterior joinery, as well as high‑end interior applications such as bespoke furniture and musical instruments.

Thanks to its long lifespan, luxurious aesthetic and strong technical performance, Padauk is a favourite in sustainable architecture and premium design projects.

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

Qualities
Padauk has a fine to moderately coarse texture with predominantly straight grain, making it very workable and capable of achieving an excellent finish. Its colour ranges from vibrant coral red to deep reddish brown, sometimes accented with darker veins.
Key Characteristics
- Iconic coral‑red colour, darkening to purplish‑brown and eventually to silver‑grey with age
- Exceptional natural durability — class 1 (very durable)
- High dimensional stability — low shrinkage and minimal deformation
- Fine to moderately coarse texture, often with a natural sheen
- Resistance to termites and wood‑boring insects
- Suitable for heavy‑duty and visible applications
- Straight or interlocked grain, with minor tear‑out risk in interlocked sections
Applications
Exterior Applications
- Premium façade cladding
- Decking & outdoor walkways
- Exterior joinery (windows, doors)
- Garden furniture & pergolas
- Bridge decking & structural outdoor elements
- Decorative architectural panels
Interior Applications
- Premium custom furniture
- Stairs & flooring
- Musical instruments (xylophones, guitars, percussion instruments)
- Turnery, art objects & decorative panels
Technical specifications
Durability Class (Use Class)
- Use class 4 — suitable for ground or freshwater contact
- Heartwood durability class 1 — very durable
Workability
- Good workability despite high density
- Pre‑drilling recommended for screws and fasteners
- Tear‑out possible with interlocked grain
Colour
- Fresh: red to coral red
- Aged: purplish brown → silver grey
Density
- Approx. 790 kg/m³ @ 12% MC
  (validated range: 745–790 kg/m³ depending on origin)
Mechanical Properties
- Modulus of Elasticity (MOE): ~15,870 N/mm²
- Radial shrinkage: ~3.1–3.2%
- Tangential shrinkage: ~5%
Dimensional Stability
- Very good — minimal deformation thanks to low shrinkage values
Biological Durability
- Class 1 — very resistant to fungi
- Durable against dry‑wood borers & termites (class D)