Is Meranti a soft wood or hard wood?
Meranti is pale blond to redish pink hardwood used mostly for construction work form and crates. It is usually featureless and splintery. No distinct smell, difficult to dry, stable in service and just about everywhere in SE Asia. Not considered a finewood and traded mostly for construction and carcass work. They grow very tall and give 3-3 times wood per year than rosewood so chances are they can be had for great lengths- as much as 6-9 meters if you are lucky.
Meranti is quality hard wood normally used for furniture and fittings. Meranti can be found in Tropical Rain Forest especially in Malaysia and Indonesia.With the current deforestation, Meranti is fast becoming scarce. Merantis are not usually used for reforestation therefore this species will one day become extinct.
