Kempas - Koompassia, malaccensis - Wood Flooring International

Species Information / Kempas

The Species:

Flooring Trade Name: Kempas
Botanical Name: Koompassia, malaccensis
Lumber Name: Kempas
Grows In: Malaysia, Indonesia

Products Available in Kempas

See page below for a listing of all the products available in this specie: Products / Kempas

Description:

Kempas is a course grained, very hard, pink to reddish color wood, with medium graining, that is widely used for flooring in the Far East.

Color Range & Color Change:

Color Range: Kempas offers a wide range of color variability from a pale pink-tan color to a medium dark-reddish color.

Color Change: Kempas undergoes a medium degree of muting of the color range over time and a slight darkening to a medium reddish color.

View WFI's Color Properties Chart below to compare this specie with other species: WFI's Color Properties Chart

View WFI's Kempas Photo Page for photos of the typical color range & change to be expected: Kempas Photo Page

Hardness:

Kempas is 135% as hard as red oak ( 1710 on the Janka scale vs. 1260 for red oak )

For hardness comparisons to additional species, please go to: WFI's Species Hardness

Where to Use:

Kempas may be used both residentially and commercially wherever a medium reddish colored wood is desired.

Special Characteristics / Issues Specific to this Species:

Stability: Kempas is less stable than red oak and in very dry climates prone to shrinking. Care must be taken to properly equalize this specie before installation. For additional information, see: WFI's Wood Properties Chart on the WFI Downloads page.
Finish Issues: (for site sanding/finishing only) - none known at this time, see:
WFI's Finish Recommendations on the WFI Downloads page before commencing any site finishing.
Safety/Allergic Reaction Issues: none known at this time - see:
WFI's Material Safety on the WFI Downloads page for safety issues with wood dust.
Other Characteristics/Issues specific to this species: none known at this time - see Feedback / Kempas on the WFI Site Map to see what others have experienced with this species.

Technical Information:

Note:

Additional Technical Information on this species can be accessed from the links below:
U.S. Forest Products Laboratory - Kempas Only
U.S. Forest Products Laboratory - to access all species