Is Afrormosia endangered?

Afrormosia is listed on CITES Appendix II: controlled, not banned. TIC Dubai supplies CITES-permitted material with full export and import documentation.

Is Afrormosia better than Teak?

For most exterior and joinery applications it is comparable. Teak retains the edge for yachts and high-end marine work; Afrormosia is preferred for darker tone and harder wear.

Does Afrormosia weather like Teak?

Yes. Left unfinished it weathers to a silver-grey; sealed it darkens to a deep coffee-brown over time.

Transcontinental Indenting Co.

Dubai · Since 1974

EST. 1974Contact punit@ticdubai.ae

Englishالعربية

Africa hardwood·Origin: West Africa (CITES II)

Afrormosia

Pericopsis elata

Afrormosia vs Teak for Exteriors

Afrormosia (also spelled Afromosia) is an African hardwood and an excellent Teak alternative. Its appearance is a touch darker than Teak with a more pronounced grain pattern. Afrormosia also shows distinct ribbon striping on the quartersawn face - much like Sapele - and unlike Teak. It is rot resistant and very hard, making it a great option for exterior trim, doors, windows, siding and even decking.

Listed on CITES Appendix II

Excellent Teak alternative for exteriors

Quartersawn ribbon stripe figure

Full chain-of-custody documentation

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Density

710 kg/m³ (44 lbs/ft³)

Janka Hardness

1,570 lbf (6,980 N)

Durability

Class 1: Very durable

Stability

Excellent (T/R ≈ 1.9)

Workability

Good; interlocked grain needs sharp tools

Certification

CITES II: Full passport supplied

Afrormosia sustainability & CITES

Afrormosia is listed on CITES Appendix II - meaning it is heavily regulated as it is in danger of becoming endangered. This dramatically limits export volumes and requires extensive import and export documentation (CITES passports). Because of this regulation we have very clear line-of-sight back to the stump for all our Afrormosia inventory and a strong ability to verify sustainable harvest. The species has been CITES-listed for many years and is something we pay close attention to with on-site inspection visits to the mills from which we buy. Contact us for CITES paperwork and full chain-of-custody documentation.

Working properties

Afrormosia machines, turns and finishes well, although interlocked grain can cause some tearout on quartersawn surfaces. It glues and screws well and is a fine choice for both bright (clear-coated) and stained finishes. The natural oils provide good rot resistance for outdoor use without preservatives.

Appearance

How Afrormosia looks & ages.

color: Yellow-brown when fresh, ageing to deep golden-brown with a Teak-like tone
grain: Interlocked, with pronounced ribbon stripe on quartersawn faces
texture: Medium and uniform
aging: Darkens noticeably under UV to a rich coffee-brown

Lumber Specifications

Afrormosia mechanical properties.

Indicative values from The Wood Database, AHEC species data and USDA Wood Handbook (FPL-GTR-190). Actual values vary by origin and growing conditions.

Character	Dry	Units
Janka Hardness	1,570	lbf
Bending Strength (MOR)	14,920	psi
Stiffness (MOE)	1,715	1,000 psi
Crushing Strength	9,570	psi
Specific Gravity	0.57	-
Weight	4.5	lbs/board ft
Radial Shrinkage	3.2	%
Tangential Shrinkage	6.2	%
T/R Ratio	1.9	-

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Availability & Grading

How we supply Afrormosia.

Form

KD lumber (CITES II - paperwork required)

Thickness

4/4 – 12/4 (26 – 75 mm)

Cut

Flat-sawn and quartersawn ribbon

Moisture content

8 – 12% KD

Documentation

CITES passport + EUDR DDS

Other dimensions, grades and certifications available on request.

Common Applications

Where it's specified.

Exterior trim & siding
Doors & windows
Decking
Garden gates & trellises
High-wear interior joinery

Why specify it

Why choose Afrormosia.

Class 1 Durable

Naturally rot and insect resistant, performing well in marine and exterior use.

True Teak Alternative

Closer in colour, density and durability to Burmese Teak than any other African species.

CITES II Documented

Every shipment ships with a CITES passport and full chain-of-custody back to the stump.

How it compares

Afrormosia in context.

Comparison

Afrormosia vs Teak

Afrormosia is darker and harder than Teak, with comparable durability.

Both species perform exceptionally outdoors. Teak is more dimensionally stable and oilier; Afrormosia is harder and shows more pronounced ribbon figure. Afrormosia is typically priced below Burmese Teak but requires CITES paperwork.

FAQ

Afrormosia: answered.

The questions buyers, architects and joiners ask us most often about Afrormosia.

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