get to know the characteristics of sungkai wood in depth

Kistang - We created this article because of the many questions that came in from several Jepara Art Furnicraft clients regarding the differences and comparisons between sungkai, mahogany and teak wood. We hope that this information on the Uniqueness of Sungkai Wood as a Furniture Raw Material will help assess this unique wood as a quality furniture commodity. 

get to know the characteristics of sungkai wood in depth

We will describe sungkai wood in terms of the raw material for making furniture. This informative and educative article is also based on experience in processing wooden furniture, which in the process discovers the characteristics, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of sungkai wood.

What is Sungkai Wood?

Sungkai wood is wood produced by the Sungkai tree which has the Latin name Peronema canescens Jack. Has a characteristic yellowish white wood base color with a fiber pattern similar to Original Teak Wood. Density The density of wood is in the medium class, although it is classified as a hard wood with a slightly rough texture to the touch. Widely used as a raw material for minimalist furniture that features a lot of wood fiber. Also known as Dutch Teak or Teak Londo although this name is also used for pine wood.

Where Did the Sungkai Tree Come From?

The distribution area and habitat of the sungkai tree thrives in the tropics. Also widely found in Kalimantan, West Java, Southern and Western Sumatra, Bengkulu and Jambi.

Characteristics of Sungkai Wood

Each wood has different characteristics depending on the variety. In some cases the same type of wood can be different due to the habitat in which it is planted. Mineral substances contained in the soil, solar heat and treatment are factors that affect the color of the wood, wood grooves and quality as its characteristics.

Sungkai Wood Base Color Similar to Dutch Teak Wood

The color of the wood that we produce is more dominant towards yellowish white and brass. This is the uniqueness of the sungkai because the color is more exotic than other woods. During the drying process, the wood will experience a color change to become more yellowish, especially if it has gone through the wood oven process. In addition to oven or drying, sungkai need to be given a bleaching agent or what we call a white agent. This bleach will make the color of the sungkai cleaner and whiter evenly. This wood bleaching process will help in the staining process or wood staining.

Sungkai Wood Grain Groove & Pattern

Has a gray-brown color that at first glance will be similar to teak. The direction of the wood grain tends to be straight or uniform to form a regular pattern, in contrast to pine or Dutch teak, which are more varied. If the wood has gone through the coloring process, it looks similar to teak wood. Although the quality is still inferior to mahogany and even teak.

Sungkai Wood Texture

If compared with mahogany and teak, it can be concluded that sungkai wood for its texture and wood grain is at a medium level. Mahogany tends to be smoother while teak will feel very rough and deep. Sungkai wood has a slightly rough texture and is not very deep even though it has been sanded.

Density of Sungkai Wood

For the density of wood and the density of sungkai wood is still inferior to mahogany. Although classified as hard wood, this type of wood is quite porous, so it is easy to store excess water content. But this is actually easier in the process of making furniture for furniture because it is faster in the drying process. However, this wood must go through an oven process with MC levels between 8-10 so that the wood is more fixed or dead and there is no movement anymore. For the weight of this wood, it is included in the light category so that

Limestone & Sungkai Wood Oil Groove

In our observation, during the process of cleavage to make furniture worth selling, this type of wood is very minimal in lime. Whereas lime and wood oil have an important role as antibodies against wood pests such as ether ether, powder or wood termites. The appearance of a blue stain or wood fungus is also pointed out because of the lack of this essence.

Advantages of Sungkai Wood

In furniture production, there are many advantages of this yellowish white wood. The large number of requests for Sungkai furniture is proof that this wood has advantages over other types of wood. The advantages we can summarize below.

Unique & Natural Sungkai Wood Base Color

This is the main advantage with this unique white color that will make the furniture seem more natural. Sungkai color is also very easy to apply with several types of finishing because the base color is neutral. The basic color of this yellowish white sungkai wood also resembles Dutch teak, only the fibers are different. For residences with Scandinavian concepts, modern minimalism or natural industrial are the typical interior segments of Sungkai wood.

Sungkai wood grain is similar to real teak wood

Another advantage of this sungkai wood has a fiber groove that is exactly like teak wood. For those of you who are looking for alternative furniture from teak wood that is cheaper, Sungkai is the answer. If you have gone through the finishing or coloring process, it will be very difficult to see the difference between sungkai and teak.

The Price of Sungkai Wood is Relatively Cheaper

The price of sungkai wood is cheaper than mahogany, especially teak. So if you want to have quality and cheap furniture, there is nothing wrong with choosing this wood as the main raw material. Raw materials are also easy to get because Indonesia is the largest producer of sungkai.

As Veneer Making Material

This unique sungkai fiber with a natural color of white yellowish brass is widely used for the manufacture of veneer finishing layers. For those of you who work as furniture makers, you must be very familiar with Sungkai veneer because this material is an alternative to solid wood. Our advice if you want to buy furniture, you must know what wood material is used. It could be that the furniture you bought is MDF with a layer of wood veneer. Looks good but won't be as strong as real solid sungkai wood.

Disadvantages of Sungkai Wood

Every time there are advantages there must be disadvantages, to be fairer, we will also provide information on the shortcomings of this wood with the nickname Teak Caucasian. These advantages and disadvantages are educational so that you are wiser in determining which wood to make furniture for your home.

Easily Affected by Wood Pests

The lack of lime and wood oil will make this wood more susceptible to wood pests. Maybe the color is unique and the wood grain is almost similar to teak, but you should consider this drawback. But don't worry because in every furniture production process from Sungkai we always fumigate or give anti-pest medication. There are many types of pest drugs for wood, ranging from lantrex or DTM which have the same function but different levels of effectiveness. This drug or chemical treatment is given several times starting from the drying process to before the base coated layer is applied.

Excessive Water Content of Sungkai Wood

This wood has a fairly large moisture content or moisture content due to its density which is not too dense. Habitat in the tropics with moderate to high rainfall makes this wood very humid. The oven process is the right main solution to reduce MC levels more quickly. Especially for sungkai to be safer, it must reach an MC level of 8-10. In contrast to teak which is enough to reach a maximum number of MC 12.

Small Board Connection

In general, for teak wood from Perhutani, you can use 15-20 cm board connections per board, but for sungkai you can't. The wide cross-section of the board will allow the wood to move and expand easily. These hollow pores and low density make the sungkai wood component boards must be below 10 cm to remain fixed. Connection construction must also use stuffing techniques and finger joints or crocodile teeth.

Furniture Model For Sungkai Wood

Unique, tropical and natural colors are perfect for making furniture with modern Scandinavian designs or industrial concepts. Can also be applied with a modern minimalist design that further emphasizes the natural color of the wood. The rise of coffee shops and Scandinavian-style cafes has made the demand for sungkai wood furniture high. The cafe table and chairs made of sungkai wood are the target of business owners because of their natural and exotic colors.

Finishing For Sungkai Wood Furniture

It's incomplete if you don't discuss the type of finishing that is suitable for this unique wood. Almost any type of finish can be entered for sungkai, but some of these types of finishing may be the best according to experience during the production of sungkai furniture.

Finishing Open Pore NC

Is finishing with thinner or solvent base solvent. This type of open pore finishing is the best because the wood pores are intentionally not completely closed. The texture of the wood grain will be felt by the touch of the hand when it touches the surface of the furniture. Open pore also shows the uniqueness of sungkai fiber. The color for open pore can be neutral or natural and the color of young bark is expected to be similar to teak wood.

Finishing Wash Smooth Rustic

The next suitable type of finishing is the smooth rustic technique with a touch of wash. Rustic will form deeper wood fibers, while this wash is wall paint that will fill in between the wood damaged by rustic. Several projects from Jepara Art Furnicraft have used the type of finishing with a rustic wash concept.

Finishing Waterbase

Just like washing, finishing waterbase uses water as a solvent. The results obtained are more natural and further clarify the basic color of white sungkai wood. This waterbase layer will protect the surface of the furniture but still feel the rough texture and basic color.

Conclusion Sungkai Wood For Furniture

Sungkai wood is a raw material for quality furniture commodities as an alternative to teak. The unique and natural colors & wood fibers captivate many people's hearts as evidenced by several cafe projects that are famous for using this wood. If it is finished with the color of light bark or walnut, it will be difficult to see the difference between sungkai and teak. The price is relatively cheaper than mahogany, especially teak. The advantages and disadvantages of sungkai are complementary factors if the production process is managed properly and appropriately.

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