Due to the good mechanical and physical properties, Angelim Vermelho timber is often used in all kinds of hydraulic constructions, like bridge constructions, decking, sheet pilings, jetties, sound barriers, stables and piles. It’s a great sustainable substitution for either Ekki or Greenheart.
Angelim Vermelho is a seriously strong tropical hardwood, most commonly picked for projects where you’re in need of structural performance above all else. It’s dense, tough, and naturally durable, so you’ll commonly find it used in hydraulic and marine construction such as bridges, jetties, sheet piling, heavy decking, and piles.
In many cases, you’ll see it being specified as a more sustainable alternative to Ekki or Greenheart when you need similar strength and durability for something. For civil engineers, contractors, and designers working on heavy exterior builds, Angelim Vermelho offers long service life and proven performance in demanding environments.
Civil Hardwoods supplies Angelim Vermelho across the UK from our Shropshire base, cut to size and machined to suit your application.
Why Choose Angelim Vermelho Timber?
- Very strong, dense hardwood for heavy structural use
- Durable to very durable, with good natural rot and insect resistance
- Suitable for marine, hydraulic, and ground-contact applications
- Performs well as an alternative to Ekki or Greenheart
- Long service life in exposed exterior conditions
- Supplied cut to size and machined to specification
- UK-wide delivery with reliable lead times
Appearance
Colour
The heartwood of Angelim Vermelho ranges from a rich reddish-brown to more deeper tones. Sometimes you’ll see subtle coloured streaks running through the grain. When it’s freshly sawn, the boards can give off a lighter, slightly olive hue, gradually deepening to a darker reddish brown as the timber ages. In contrast, the sapwood is more pale and isn’t always clearly separated, so any installed sections tend to blend visually over time.
Grain and texture
The grain is typically interlocked, with a uniform medium-to-coarse texture and a modest natural lustre. That interlocking grain is a big part of the timber’s strength, and it also gives finished surfaces a solid, purposeful appearance rather than anything overly refined.
End grain
End grain shows a dense, closed structure consistent with the timber’s weight and strength. As with most high-density tropical hardwoods, sealing the end grain on site is recommended to reduce checking, especially in exposed conditions.
Durability
Angelim Vermelho is rated as durable to very durable, with good resistance to both fungal decay and insect attack. It performs well in wet, exposed, and ground-contact environments, which is why it’s widely used in marine and hydraulic construction.
That durability means fewer replacements and lower maintenance demands over the life of a structure, and that makes it an important choice for large or hard-to-access projects.
Workability and machining
This is timber that rewards the right approach. Angelim Vermelho’s density and irregular grain make it more challenging to work than lighter species:
- Machining: High cutting resistance; sharp, tungsten-carbide tooling is essential
- Tool wear: Expect pronounced blunting if you haven’t focused on tooling maintenance
- Fixings: Pre-drilling is recommended due to density
- Handling: Heavy material; plan lifting and site logistics accordingly
It’s also worth noting that Angelim Vermelho can give off a strong and unpleasant odour when being worked, and you’ll find it in both green and dried timber. While not an issue once installed, good ventilation and PPE are advised during machining.
Civil Hardwoods offers full in-house machining, helping reduce on-site cutting, speed up installation, and minimise handling challenges.
Common uses/applications
- Bridges and heavy exterior structures
- Jetties, docks, and marine construction
- Sheet piling and hydraulic works
- Heavy-duty decking and boardwalks
- Piles and ground-contact structural elements
- Boatbuilding and marine-adjacent applications
- Flooring and industrial-use timber
Sustainability
Angelim Vermelho isn’t listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. At Civil Hardwoods, we source tropical hardwoods through verified, legal supply chains and can provide supporting documentation where required.
Its long service life also plays a role in sustainability. Timber that lasts longer needs replacing less often, helping reduce both material use and whole-life environmental impact.
Supplied Cut to Size and Machined
From our Shropshire facility, we supply Angelim Vermelho across the UK that has been accurately prepared and is ready for use for site.
- Cut to size: Sawn to precise dimensions with tight tolerances
- Profiling: Planed-all-round (PAR), chamfers, radiused edges, rebates, grooves, and anti-slip decking profiles
- Drilling & fabrication: Pre-drilled bolt holes, slots, countersinks/bores, housings, and mortices
- CNC machining: We work directly from your CAD files for repeatable accuracy
- Project support: Batch labelling, piece marking, and packing for phased delivery
Whether you need a small amount for a specific part of your structure or a fully-machined package for a major civil project, our team will help you specify the right solution from the outset.
Quick Quote Request
Are you looking for advice, or a quote for Angelim Vermelho? Send us a message and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Angelim Vermelho?
Angelim Vermelho is commonly found in Brazil and Guyana and is known for its incredible height and strength. The South American native ranges from a golden brown to a deep reddish colour, boasting a coarse interlocked grain. Thanks to its durability, it’s often a top choice for exterior uses like decking and exterior structures where strength matters.
What is the density of Angelim Vermelho?
The average dry density of Angelim Vermelho is around 1070kg/m3 dried, but at 12% moisture content, this changes to a range of 950 to 1070kg/m3. It’s extremely dense and heavier than most hardwoods, which gives way to increased strength, stability, and resistance to wear. The result is a wood that supports significant loads and endures long exposure without warping or deteriorating.
Is Angelim Vermelho timber good for construction?
Angelim Vermelho is perfect for the construction sector. Its natural resistance to decay, insects, and mould makes it a great choice for a range of construction projects. If you’re after a wood that works well for ship building, marine work, decking and heavy framing, you can rely on Angelim Vermelho for your construction needs.
Where is the best place to get Angelim Vermelho wood in the UK?
Get in touch with us at Civil Hardwoods to find out more about our range of Angelim Vermelho. We can help you understand the complexity of this beautiful wood and how it’s best used to meet your specific needs. We’re here to help you ensure you get exactly what you need for 100% confidence in your decision.