Kwila and Merbau: One Timber, Two Names
If you have searched for "kwila picnic table" and landed on merbau results — or vice versa — you are not missing anything. Kwila and merbau are the same species: Intsia bijuga, a dense tropical hardwood prized across the Indo-Pacific for outdoor furniture, decking and structural applications.
The confusion is purely regional. Timber merchants in Papua New Guinea and the broader Pacific Islands call it kwila. South-East Asian markets and Australian hardwood yards overwhelmingly use the name merbau. The wood coming out of both regions is botanically identical.
Why the Name Difference Matters to Buyers
Australian consumers searching online will encounter both terms interchangeably. Hardware chains, landscape architects and furniture makers may use either name — sometimes in the same product listing. Understanding the equivalence saves time and prevents the assumption that one is a superior or inferior timber variety.
Key regional name breakdown:
- Kwila — Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islands (Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands)
- Merbau — South-East Asian markets, Australian hardwood trade
- Ipil — Philippines (same species, different local name)
In Australian timber yards, "merbau" is the standard label. When a supplier lists "kwila decking" or "kwila outdoor furniture," they are selling the same product.
Technical Specifications: Intsia bijuga
Whether labelled kwila or merbau, the technical properties are consistent:
- AS 5604:2005 Durability Class 2 — rated for above-ground outdoor use without additional preservative treatment
- Janka hardness: 8.6 kN — hard enough to resist surface wear and denting under everyday outdoor use
- Density: approximately 820 kg/m³ — substantial, stable weight
- Colour: warm reddish-brown to deep red, darkening with age and UV exposure
- Tannin content: high — natural tannins leach during the first wet season, producing reddish-brown run-off. This is normal and temporary.
- Workability: machines well, holds fixings reliably, accepts oil finishes
The Class 2 durability rating means merbau is suited to standard residential and commercial outdoor applications — garden furniture, picnic tables, pergolas and decking — where the timber is exposed but not in direct ground contact.
Ready to specify merbau for your project? See Auscraft's merbau picnic table range or request a quote.
Auscraft's Use of Merbau
Auscraft Furniture uses merbau across both residential and hospitality product lines. The species performs reliably in the full range of Australian outdoor conditions — from coastal New South Wales to inland Queensland — and its warm colouration suits both heritage settings and contemporary outdoor spaces.
Merbau is machined and finished at Auscraft's workshop in West Gosford, NSW, then oiled for protection and dispatch. Standard and custom table dimensions are available; all products are built to order.
If you have found Auscraft through a search for "kwila outdoor furniture," "kwila picnic table Australia" or similar — you are in the right place. The product is the same timber under the name you are most likely to see in Australian yards: merbau.
Sustainability: Is Merbau Responsibly Sourced?
Merbau has faced deforestation concerns in certain source regions. The Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 addresses this by requiring importers to trace and verify the origin of regulated timber. Certified merbau — supplied through FSC-certified or PEFC-audited chains — is legally compliant and considered an acceptable choice for outdoor timber applications.
Auscraft sources merbau from regulated suppliers with documented chain-of-custody. For projects where full Class 1 Australian-grown timber is preferred — for maximum longevity or verified domestic origin — Auscraft also works with spotted gum and ironbark, both grown and milled in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kwila the same as merbau?
Yes. Kwila and merbau are both common names for Intsia bijuga, the same tropical hardwood species. The difference is geographic naming convention, not the timber itself.
Is kwila legal in Australia?
Kwila (merbau) is legal in Australia when sourced through documented, compliant supply chains under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012. Responsibly sourced or FSC-certified merbau is fully permissible.
Kwila vs spotted gum — which is better for outdoor picnic tables?
Spotted gum is an AS 5604 Class 1 species, rated for 40+ years above ground — longer than merbau's Class 2 (25+ years). For Australian-grown provenance and maximum lifespan, spotted gum has the advantage. Merbau remains a strong, durable option for most residential and commercial applications.
View Auscraft's merbau picnic table specifications or get a custom quote.
