Ramin
- South East Asia
- Hardwood
- Non-durable
Ramin (Gonystylus spp.) is a light to medium-density tropical hardwood native to Southeast Asia. It typically has a pale straw to light yellowish-brown colour with a fine, even texture and a straight, uniform grain. The wood is relatively soft, easy to machine and shape, and takes a smooth finish, making it well suited to precision work. However, it has low natural durability and is not resistant to decay or insect attack, meaning it is generally restricted to dry, interior applications.
In the timber industry, ramin has historically been used for mouldings, furniture components, picture frames, interior joinery and decorative woodwork. It has also been widely used in turnery, blinds, dowels and lightweight construction elements due to its ease of working and consistent grain. Because of conservation concerns and trade restrictions in some regions, its use has become more controlled, with substitutes often used in place of ramin in general manufacturing and construction.
Suitable for:
Carpentry, joinery (interior)
Decking, cladding and panelling
DIY and improvement
Education, schools and colleges
Flooring
Furniture, cabinet making, bars and worktops
Mouldings and profiles
Sculpture, carving, model making and toys
Shopfitting
Tool components
Turnery and wood ware
