Our wood species
OAK FROM FONTAINES
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botanical name: Quercus petraea, Quercus peduncolata
provenance: Europe (France)
resistance to light: Good colour stability
hardness: Very hard
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Oak is a name given to the most precious wood of the genus Quercus and because it has been used in home flooring since time immemorial, it is considered the prince of European woods. It is graced with a golden yellow colour that sometimes has bronze streaks, it has straight or undulating veins that are sometimes further enhanced with its typical pores. It is a hardy wood that resists over time and mechanical wear and tear. It grows in central and south-eastern Europe, and enjoys a great tradition in France, where it is used to make the barrels in which the world’s greatest wines age.
CANADIAN MAPLE
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botanical name: Acer saccharum
provenance: North America (Canada)
resistance to light: Good colour stability
hardness: Very hard
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Graced with a pinkish hue, it is also known as “pink maple.” It has regular, sometimes wavy grain and attractive patterns that make for highly decorative pieces. As a demonstration of man’s relationship with wood, the Canadian flag features a maple leaf at its centre. Fun fact: the world famous sweet Maple syrup comes from Canadian Maple.
FONTAINES CHERRY
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botanical name: Prunus avium
provenance: Europa (Francia)
resistance to light: Good colour stability
hardness: Medium hard
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A light pinkish-brown wood with classic grain. European cherry wood (Prunus avium) is a slender tree that grows in the wild and its wood is sought after for use in the best flooring panels, but also for cabinetry, turning, luxury furniture and small decorative items. It should not be confused with American Cherry wood, which is a much larger tree with a straight trunk that grows in North America and provides an intense red/reddish brown wood.
CABREUVA KM 31
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botanical name: Mirocarpus frondosus
provenance: South America (Argentina)
resistance to light: Good colour stability
hardness: Extremely hard
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Known as American Sandalwood, it is one of nature’s most precious types of wood. It has a chestnut red colour with darker areas, golden reflections and veining that is often intertwined. The naturally oily resin it contains – from which they make the celebrated Tolù balsam used in high-end cosmetic fragrances – give it an intense and pleasant aroma. Beautiful to look at, it is used for making furniture, for carving and turning, as well as sculpture and luxury accessories.
IROKO
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botanical name: Clorophora excelsa
provenance: west central Africa
resistance to light: Subject to colour variations
hardness: Medium hard
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A golden brown wood with often intertwined fibres, Iroko is used to make furniture, door and window frames, benches, outdoor furniture, frames and shutters. It is one of the woods used to make djembes and other musical instruments. Thanks to its superior mechanical properties and extraordinary durability, it is ideal for use in construction projects, even exposed projects like yachts, outdoor covers on boats, docks and heavy carpentry.
TEAK
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botanical name: Tectona grandis
provenance: Asia
resistance to light: Subject to colour variations
hardness: Very hard
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A golden brown wood with a glow, teak has darker nuances – black, grey and even shades of green – that tend to fade with oxidation. The grain – sometimes straight, other times wavy – creates pleasant designs. The natural oil contained in the wood fibre gives teak its warm and soft look, its lovely smell of old leather. Aside from being especially sought after in the shipbuilding industry for external use, it is considered a precious wood for making works of art and fine furniture for both indoors and out.
AMERICAN WALNUT
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botanical name: Juglans nigra
provenance: United States
resistance to light: Subject to colour variations
hardness: very hard
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A brown wood with darker nuances, it is graced with elegant veining and the variegated stripes of colour can be darker or reddish blond. The presence of characteristic white sapwood makes this walnut truly unique and authentic. Black walnut is considered one of the world’s most precious woods, especially sought after for its exceptional resistance and hardness. It is often used to make decorative objects and high end furniture, as it is easy to carve.
DOUSSIÉ
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botanical name: Afzelia pachyloba
provenance: west central Africa
resistance to light: Subject to colour variations
hardness: Extremely hard
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A golden brown or reddish brown wood with either a straight, crossed or undulated grain. It has a high natural durability and is used for construction, even for outdoor structures (bridges, docks, etc…). Indoor uses include furniture, door and window frames, shutters and stairs.
JATOBA
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botanical name: Hymenaea courbaril
provenance: South America (Brazil)
resistance to light: Subject to colour variations
hardness: Very hard
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A red wood with shades of brown-orange, darker patches and veining that is usually straight. Thanks to its high mechanical performance – and exceptional resistance and rigidity – it is used in heavy carpentry. It is also used for fine cabinetry thanks to its beauty, to make toys, musical instruments, sculpture and even parts of boats.
WENGE
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botanical name: Millettia laurentii
provenance: West central Africa
resistance to light: Subject to colour variations
hardness: Very hard
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A dark brown wood that almost looks black once oxidised, it sometimes has clear patches near the radial surfaces that show up in the shape of a flame. Its particular aesthetic properties make it ideal for luxury objects and furniture, precious craftsmanship items, cabinetry and musical instruments.