PRESS RELEASE
Heading: Floored by Malaysian timbers
(March 16th, 2022)
Malaysian timbers represent a beauty that with time it seems to become eternal. Its beauty comes with age while its warmth and texture are almost eternal. Nothing beats the presence of timber in our living space and wooden floorings are stunning additions that provide a direct connection to nature. As an environmentally friendly and durable material, timber floorings have never gone out of style.
The benefits of timber floorings which are available in the form of solid timber flooring and engineered timber flooring are as follows:
● Long-lasting – Hardwood floors that are well manufactured and maintained can last for generations. As they are hard-wearing, they can withstand heavy foot traffic and active work areas, providing greater resistance to indentation and abrasion.
● Hygienic and easy to maintain – Timber floors are better than carpets which can harbor parasites, allergens like dust mites and fleas as well as dust. It also does not retain stains or odors and can be cleaned just by sweeping or mopping.
● Insulating – Wooden flooring insulates against excessive heat which helps keep floors cool.
● Good acoustics and air quality – Hardwood flooring does not give hollow sounds or vibrations and wood is hypoallergenic, thus contributing to a healthier living environment.
● Value-for-money – A simple act of sand and seal will bring a timber floor back to new again unlike carpets which may need to be replaced every few years.
● Evergreen appeal – Though stone and tile floors are also hygienic and easy to maintain, they do not exude the earthy warmth that timbers provide, and when it comes to “floor fashion”, timber floors win hands down against carpets, linoleum, and even granite and marble.
Among the popular timber species used for the manufacturing of Malaysian hardwood flooring are Balau, Dark Red Meranti, Light Red Meranti, Kempas, Merbau, Red Balau, Rubberwood, Bintangor, Keranji, Merpauh, Sepetir, Mempisang and Nyatoh.
Malaysia has long been known as a major producer of high-quality timber flooring whose products are exported to highly discerning markets with stringent requirements such as Europe, the United States, Australia, and Japan. Buyers opt for either conventional solid strips and parquet flooring or engineered flooring.
Malaysian timber floors are specifically milled. Attractive and sturdy, hardwood floorings also provide a look of spaciousness.
Some of the hardwood timber flooring species’ characteristics
Balau:
Sapwood is lighter in color and well-defined from the heartwood which is yellow-brown, brown, or reddish-brown. The grain is interlocked, and the texture is moderately fine but even.
Dark Red Meranti:
Sapwood is not clearly defined from the heartwood which is medium red to deep red brown. The grain is interlocked. The texture is moderately coarse but even.
Kempas:
Sapwood is white or pale yellow in color. Heartwood is pinkish when fresh and darkens to bright orange-red or deep brown. The grain is interlocked, often very interlocked. The texture is coarse but even, except in areas where included phloem occurs.
Merbau:
Sapwood is pale yellow in color. Heartwood is yellowish to orange, brown when fresh, darkening to
brown or dark red-brown on exposure. The texture is coarse and even, with interlocked grain.
Red Balau:
Sapwood is well-defined from the heartwood of purple-red or dark red-brown color. The grain is interlocked, often deeply interlocked. The texture is rather coarse and even.
Rubberwood:
Sapwood is not differentiated from the heartwood, which is pale cream in color, often with a pink tinge. The texture is moderately coarse but even with straight to shallowly interlocked grain.
Links: Malaysian Timber Council (mtc.com.my)
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About the Malaysian Timber Council, The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) was established in January 1992 to promote the development and growth of the Malaysian timber industry globally. MTC's main objectives are to promote the Malaysian timber trade and develop the market for timber products globally, to promote the development of the industry by upgrading the industry's manufacturing technology base, to augment the supply of raw materials, to provide information services and to protect and improve the Malaysian timber industry's global image. Further information on the Council’s activities can be obtained from www.mtc.com.my. Issued by the Malaysian Timber C
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