Lacewood
Scientific Name:
Cardwellia sublimia
Other Names and Species:
Silky oak
Selano
Origin:
Australia
Appearance:
Lacewood is a beautiful species, very figured in its detail. The sapwood is almost white, while the heartwood is pink to reddish-brown in color. Lacewood has a generally straight garin, is very lusterous, and is coarse and even textured.
Properties:
Lacewood has a high resistance to decay and is reported to have no odor. Because of its high resistance to wear, this wood remains smooth under friction in heavy foot traffic areas. Lacewood requires some time to dry properly to prevent slight distortion, yet is stable once aged.
Janka Hardness: 840
As a flooring option, lacewood runs towards the softer end of the Janka hardness chart. It is close in hardness to southern yellow pine, is roughly thirty-five percent softer than red oak, and about twenty seven percent harder than douglas fir.
Workability:
Lacewood has low resistance to cutting tools. Glue holds somewhat well , but lacewood flooring is known to be respond very easily to nails. This species sands well, stains and polishes rather easily, and does not marr that much under heavy regular traffic.
Principal Uses:
Due to its beautifully figured nature, lacewood’s uses include flooring, flooring accents, cabinetry, dining room furniture, interior trim, and stairworks.