Merbau like the other well known Malaysian joinery timber, Dark Red Meranti is a popular timber for joinery applications in Europe particularly in Belgium and The Netherlands.  The timber is mainly derived from a single species, Intsia palembanica.  Its grain and growth ring figure together with its dark red-brown colour gives it a very attractive appearance which is suitable for high class joinery including door and window frames and facades.  The timber is also used for interior paneling, strip and parquet flooring and other decorative uses.  Like other sawntimber species available from Malaysia, Merbau is readily available to buyers worldwide through well established shipping facilities.  To meet the requirements of buyers it is common to ship the timber after kiln-drying to a moisture content of 17-20%.

Merbau is a heavy hardwood with a density at 12% moisture content ranging from 740 to 900 kg/m3 and averaging 800 kg/m3.  It has good strength properties, comparable to that of European Beech and better than Oak and many other joinery timbers.  Of even more significance is its durability which is rated as good and therefore the timber is well suited for exterior joinery and other applications where it is exposed to the weather.  Merbau also has good woodworking properties giving smooth machined surfaces.  It takes finishes readily and is also easy to glue.  It has very low shrinkage when drying and the seasoned timber is very stable in service, an important requirement for joinery timber.