Ebiara
Ebiara, scientifically known as Berlinia spp. (including B. auriculata, B. bracteosa, B. confusa, and B. grandiflora), is an exotic hardwood native to West and Central Africa. It is commonly referred to as Red Zebrawood or Poculi due to its striking appearance.
Appearance and Characteristics
Ebiara wood is recognized for its vibrant reddish-brown to golden-yellow heartwood, often featuring darker black or purple streaks that resemble zebra stripes. The sapwood is pale and clearly demarcated from the heartwood. It has an interlocked or straight grain with a medium to coarse texture and a natural luster. Ebiara is moderately heavy, typically weighing around 3.5 pounds (1.59 kilograms) per board foot.
Workability
Ebiara is moderately workable and valued by woodworkers for its aesthetic appeal. It can be cut, shaped, and sanded with relative ease, though interlocked grain may cause tearout during planing, particularly on quartersawn surfaces. The wood glues and finishes well, making it suitable for polished or natural finishes. Its moderate hardness requires sharp tools for best results.
Uses in Woodworking
Ebiara wood is commonly employed in various woodworking applications, including:
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Furniture: Ebiara is often used for high-end furniture such as tables, chairs, and cabinets, where its vibrant color and grain add a distinctive aesthetic.
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Cabinetry: Its striking appearance makes it a popular choice for cabinetry in residential and commercial settings.
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Veneers: Ebiara is frequently sliced into thin veneers for decorative panels and marquetry, highlighting its unique grain patterns.
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Flooring and Stairs: The wood is used for parquet flooring and stair components, offering both durability and visual appeal.
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Decorative Items: Ebiara is crafted into small decorative items like boxes and inlays, showcasing its bold coloration.
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Turned Objects: The wood can be turned on a lathe to create items such as bowls, pens, and spindles.
Durability
Ebiara wood is known for its moderate durability and specific properties:
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Indoor Use: Ebiara is well-suited for indoor applications such as furniture, cabinetry, and decorative veneers, where its vibrant color and grain enhance aesthetic appeal.
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Outdoor Use: Ebiara can be used in protected outdoor applications, such as decking, with proper treatment, though its sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
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Bug/Insect and Rot Resistance: Ebiara’s heartwood offers moderate resistance to decay and insects, though the sapwood is prone to ambrosia and powder-post beetle attacks. Proper sealing enhances its longevity.
VARIATIONS AND OPTIONS
All lumber now ships surfaced on 2 sides, and ripped on 1 edge at a minimum. Surfacing is done to a 1/16th over nominal (+- .030). Also there is an option for an s4s product at a premium price. S4S widths will be within 1/16th of an inch of stated widths.4/4 will be surfaced to 13/16ths.
5/4 will be surfaced to 1 and 1/16th.
6/4 will be surfaced to 1 and 5/16ths.
8/4 will be surfaced to 1 and 13/16ths.
10/4 will be surfaced to 2 and 5/16ths.
16/4 will be surfaced to 2 and 13/16ths.