What is Shorea?

If you’re anything like me, you’ve never even heard of Shorea wood. Until today, I had no idea what it even was. But then I stumbled upon some beautiful Shorea furniture, and of course I had to investigate!
What I discovered was that Shorea is a genus of about 196 species of trees, found in southeast Asia, from Northern India to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is a tropical hardwood that resists decaying from insects, disfigurement, and other such defects. These wood grains are full of natural oils, and therefore do not require chemical treatments or finishes. After a year, the wood will obtain a whitish-gray color as a result of the natural weathering process.
Shorea is known by a variety of names, including Meranti, Lauan or Luan, Seraya, Balau, and Bangkirai or Bankarai. A mixture of Shorea woods is also sometimes marketed in America as Philippine Mahogany, even though it is not a mahogany at all.
This wood, no matter what you call it, is ample throughout the Pacific Rim. It is much more plentiful than Teak wood, and therefore Shorea is much more cost-effective. Shorea furniture comes in many different forms, and is a highly attractive and affordable addition to your backyard.