Inspiration

Reclaimed parquet flooring:

Panga Panga (Millettia stuhlmannii)

Panga Panga is from East and South-East Africa (Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe). This species is sometimes confused with its cousin Wenge (pronounced Wengay). Wenge is very similar in appearance, but grows in West and Central Africa.

When reclaiming parquet in the UK, we tend to find Panga Panga as opposed to Wenge, because it comes from the parts of Africa that were formerly British colonies. We find it was used in late 1950s and early 1960s buildings. It seems to…

Reclaimed parquet flooring:

Apitong (Dipterocarpus spp)

Apitong is from South-East Asia, principally Indonesia, Malaysia and Burma. It belongs to the genus dipterocarpus. There are numerous species within this group, all traded under the name Apitong, as well as others such as Keruing and Lancewood. There are other trade and local names, often depending on the exact origin of the lumber.

This is a robust and very hard-wearing flooring timber which is medium to heavy in weight. The colour ranges quite widely due to the range of species included under…

Sapele characteristics

This wood is very pretty with…

Muhuhu (Brachlaena hutchinsii) is a species of tropical hardwood from Africa. The main countries of distribution are Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. In addition the range does extend as far as Angola. Also known as Silver Oak, Muhugwe and Kipugupugo.

This species is on the IUCN Red List and classified ‘Rare’ within its natural growth range in Uganda. Listed as ‘endangered’ due to a tree population reduction of over 50% in the past three generations. A decline in the natural range of growth, as well…

Reclaimed parquet flooring:

Maple (Acer saccharum)

Grown widely in North America, both across Canada and the United States. Maple is consistent in colour, light or pale blonde, a very appealing, warm looking wood. It has a varied grain, sometimes with Bird’s Eye figuring (a curly graining caused by an insect attacking the growing timber). The name Rock Maple (as in hard) is an indication that this timber used for robust flooring.

In the UK it was widely…

Reclaimed parquet flooring:

Columbian Pine (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Columbian Pine is also known as Douglas Fir or Oregon Pine. The Columbian part refers to British Columbia in Canada. This abundant timber is widely grown in North America i.e. Canada and United States. Named after Scottish botanist David Douglas, although the scientific name is for Archibald Menzies, who first described the tree in the 1790s.

The wood has clear growth ring definition and this produces a distinct lined pattern. In quarter-sawn pieces, the grain is typically straight and plain. In…

Rhodesian Mahogany 

Rhodesian Mahogany (Afzelia quanzensis) is a heavy red mahogany which comes from Eastern and Southern African regions. The countries where it mainly grows are: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Rhodesian Mahogany has the following trade names: Lucky bean tree, Chanfuta, Chemnen or, our particular favourite, Pod Mahogany. It is now a protected species in South Africa.

Rhodesian Mahogany characteristics

This wood is very heavy and dense and of…

Rhodesian Mahogany 

Rhodesian Mahogany (Afzelia quanzensis) is a heavy red mahogany which comes from Eastern and Southern African regions. The countries where it mainly grows are: Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Rhodesian Mahogany has the following trade names: Lucky bean tree, Chanfuta, Chemnen or, our particular favourite, Pod Mahogany. It is now a protected species in South Africa.

Rhodesian Mahogany characteristics

This wood is very heavy and dense and of…

Reclaimed parquet flooring

Iroko (Milicia excelsa)

Iroko is an African hardwood often sold as a substitute for the true Asian or Burmese Teak. The trade names are Nigerian or African Teak.

Found throughout Africa, from the West all the way across to the East coast, it is now classified as ‘Vulnerable’ in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. As well as being classified as ‘Endangered’ in Benin and Congo.

As a commercial timber Iroko demand is wide. It has many uses: construction work, shipbuilding and marine carpentry, sleepers, sluice…

Reclaimed parquet block:

Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Beech is found throughout Europe, and is a well-known British hardwood. It is regarded as a very hard timber the strength being a benchmark for other wood types. It is the most widely used timbers in the UK for all types of joinery. In more recent decades it has been used for parquet, generally speaking since the 1960s onwards. Despite being very versatile, it is not considered suitable for external use. 

Beige-white or cream coloured, it…