What would many of our antiques be without Mahogany wood? As one of our favorite woods, there are many reasons why we love working with it and why you should use it in your next project.
Mahogany is a hardwood indigenous to the Americans. It is a commercially important lumber prized for its beauty, durability, and color. Honduran or big leafed mahogany is the most widespread species of mahogany and the only true mahogany species commercially grown today.
Historically, the tree was very popular due to its girth that allowed for wide boards, primarily because mahogany trees get so huge. They’re both tall and stout, yielding long, wide, knot and defect-free boards. These properties make it a favorable wood for crafting cabinets and furniture.
Much of the first-quality furniture made in the American colonies from the mid 18th century was made of mahogany, when the wood first became available to American craftsmen.
Benefits:
– Mahogany has a straight, fine, and even grain, and is relatively free of voids and pockets;
– Its reddish-brown color darkens over time, and displays a reddish sheen when polished;
– It has excellent workability, Mahogany is known for its cooperative nature and easy sanding and machining;
– It has superb dimensional stability. Flat pieces will remain flat. Joints and glue-ups will remain intact. In the midst of seasonal changes in humidity, mahogany exhibits minimal shrinkage and swelling; and
– Mahogany also resists wood rot, making it attractive for construction.
Where to Use it:
There are a number of uses for Mahogany and many places where it can be utilized. First and foremost, as it was widely used in the 1800’s for most furniture styles, most antique reproduction or repairs will need to use mahogany. For most Mahogany furniture is the epitome of elegance and grace, be it an antique or reproduction piece.
However it can be used for so much more. With its durability and resistance to rot it is ideal for floors and doors. The wood easily holds and sustains glue, nails, and hardware, while being a perfect candidate for many stains. A mahogany door also isn’t typically known to warp, it seasons well, holding its frame and durability; ideal for an exterior door.
Mahogany is truly a wood seeped in history and full of beauty. Take another look at your antique pieces, consider bringing all that beauty back to life, or simply think about mahogany for your next project. Trust us, you wont regret it.