Purpleheart is known for its striking reddish-brown to purplish color, which deepens over time to a rich chestnut brown. The central portion of the trunk often produces the darkest wood, while the outer layers display a brighter orange-red. The wood can also exhibit subtle color variations and streaks, which emphasize its natural character. Both the darker and lighter portions have the same high quality. With exposure to light, the color deepens, giving the wood a warm, deep sheen. The sapwood is usually light-colored and easily distinguishable from the heartwood. It has a straight to slightly wavy grain, a fine to medium texture, and is stable with little movement. The wood has a characteristic, warm appearance and is easy to work and finish. The combination of durability, strength, and color makes purpleheart highly suitable for (forestline) cladding, fine woodwork, and decorative applications.
| Name | Purpleheart |
| Growth area | Suriname and tropical South and Central America. |
| Botanical name | Peltogyne Venosa |
| Durability class | 2-3 |
| Strength class | To follow later |
| Artificially dried | Yes |
| Voluminous mass | 700 – 850 -1050 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content |
| Suitable for | Sun, shade and ceiling |
| To edit | Easily machined and machined by hand |
Purpleheart can be machined well, provided the tools are very sharp. Dull knives or excessive pressure during planing and milling can cause the hard latewood to be pressed into the earlywood. Afterwards, the earlywood springs back, causing the surface to become slightly ribbed or irregular.
Plain-sawn wood carries a risk of small splinters or chipping. Due to its high hardness, pre-drilling is essential when nailing and screwing to prevent splitting. The wood can be easily glued and finished with oil, lacquer, or varnish.
Purpleheart is a tropical hardwood with high durability and strength. It is listed in NEN 5493, the Dutch standard for hardwood in structural applications. This means that Purpleheart is suitable for structural projects and meets the specified strength and durability requirements.
Purpleheart is extremely durable, wear-resistant, and highly resistant to mold and insects. The wood can develop a deep purple color over time, making it particularly suitable for both structural and decorative applications.
This wood species is widely used for floors, stairs, furniture, window frames, and cladding. Thanks to its high quality and NEN 5493 certification, you are assured of a wood species that is strong, durable, and suitable for demanding applications.
Purpleheart is also one of the wood species suitable for the Forestline® façade system. This innovative façade system features concealed fixings and fire class B-S1 D0 certification without any treatment. The perfect harmony between wood and aluminum. Suitable for façades in both sun and shade, ceilings, and roofs.
We provide custom-made and ready-made Purperhart wood solutions to the construction, trade, industry, shipbuilding, carpentry, yachting, and interior design sectors. Do you have any specific questions or requests? Get in touch.
Our clients have realised wonderful projects. Do you have a question? Then take a look at our knowledge base or take contact with one of our specialists.
You already know exactly what you need? Then request a no-obligation quote. Where necessary, we will be happy to provide advice.
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