Zebrawood definitely isn’t for everyone it is a truly special hardwood that is most often used to make a lasting impression. The sapwood is a pale creamy yellow, while the striping is a highly contrasting dark brown, and darkens over time. It has incredibly distinct striping that is completely natural, and only something that mother nature could have conjured up. Zebrawood is named after its appearance, looking similar to the stripes on a Zebra when cut quartersawn. This rare and remarkable hardwood is unlike any other. Belt sanders usually give the smoothest finish when working with material that is both hard and soft.Scientific Name – Microberlinia brazzavillensis Common Names – African Zebrawood, Zebrano Grown – West Coast of Africa Janka rating – 1575Ĭontinuing in our exotic species series, this week we’re discussing Zebrawood. The wood usually has an interlocked or wavy grain and can be difficult to work because of the alternately hard and soft nature of the grain. Quartering also gives the wood the zebra-stripe look. Zebrawood is traditionally quarter sawn because the wood is unstable. In addition to marquetry and paneling, it is also used for turnery, wood sculpture and carving. In addition to those mentioned above, other uses for zebrawood include, furniture, inlay and crossbandings, and specialty items like brush backs, tool handles, wine corks and so-called “fancy goods.” The wood is often sliced into veneer. It is liable to attack from the common furniture beetle. It works well with hand and machine tools, though it is not suitable for steam bending. The wood has a medium to coarse texture, with a lustrous surface. Zebrawood is hard, heavy and stable, with high stiffness. A kiln schedule of T2-C2 is suggested for 4/4 stock and T2-C1 for 8/4. Average weight when seasoned is 46 pounds per cubic foot, with a specific gravity of 0.74 Trees grow to an average height of 150 feet, with trunk diameters of 4-5 feet. Zebrawood, zebrano, zingana, allene, ele, amouk Microberlinia brazzavillensis of the Family Leguminosae A related species, Microberlinia bisulcata, is sometimes listed as the source of zingana or zebrawood. True, authentic zebrawood is considered to come from Microberlinia brazzavillensis (syn. The dark and light bands give a zebra stripe look that accounts for the name, but zebrawood is a name that many other species use. Zebrawood has a golden yellow heartwood with streaks of dark brown to black. The darker woods like zebrawood also seem to be gaining in popularity, including Brazilian walnut, ipe and wenge. However, the wood does make a dramatic statement for those who like the look. Although larger projects today are made from the wood, such as conference tables and flooring, smaller projects like small bookcases and jewelry boxes, are more common. Supplies of zebrawood were short, due in part to civil wars in West Africa. One of the reasons the wood has traditionally been used as an accent is its cost and availability. It has a strong pattern and while it can be overpowering in large applications, it is ideal for use in smaller items, border work and in diamond pattern matching. Supplies of zebrawood are plentiful in lumber and veneer. While the dramatic-looking wood that combines light with dark is still a dashboard favorite, it is used for many more applications today. Many people are introduced to zebrawood through their automobiles one of the major uses for zebrawood 20 years ago was in car dashboards. It is frequently used as a sliced veneer and popular with custom applications, such as cabinetry or casework, flush doors, marquetry and paneling. Zebrawood, or zebrano, has a long list of uses for furniture and architectural millwork. Sponsored by: Northwest Hardwoods: Lumber that’s Graded For Yield®.įind a list of hot wood looks today and the dark, exotic woods will be at the forefront.
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