Azobe is lasting hardwood from Africa that sits in class 1. That is the highest outdoor rating under the EN 350 standard. People who ask what is Azobe want lasting timber that can remain in water. Azobe is very hard, very heavy and resists lasting ground contact and water contact. Life span is 30 plus years in water. That makes it the standard outdoor choice for sheeting, dam walls, piles and quay walls here.
This outdoor guide is written by Andre Hassler of Jan Sok. We are based in Meppel, founded in 2000, KvK 04062841, for outdoor timber. People rate us 4,8 stars across more than 141 reviews. We supply Azobe from our own outdoor stock, fine-sawn and with a herkomst mark.
What Azobe is
Azobe is a hardwood species from West and Central Africa. The timber has a very high outdoor mass and a dark reddish-brown colour. In light and weather it greys in an even way. Under EN 350 classing Azobe sits in class 1. That means it lasts on its own more than 25 years, with no extra outdoor treatment.
This sets Azobe apart from softwoods such as Douglas or larch. Those species have a lower outdoor life span and cannot stand lasting water contact. For outdoor projects where timber remains in water or ground, Azobe is one of the few kinds that stays sound.
Traits and class
The key traits of Azobe at a glance:
- Class: 1 (EN 350). Lasts a long time, more than 25 years. In water Azobe even reaches 30 plus years.
- Hardness and weight: very hard and heavy. One of the densest outdoor timbers on the market.
- Water contact: lasting ground and water contact can be done.
- Use class: right for EN 335 use class 4, so direct ground contact.
- Cutting: in stock fine-sawn. Tongue-and-groove dam wall shape 30-50 mm thick, lengths 2-5 m.
- Mark: herkomst mark.
Outdoor wood with no oil greys in a slow even way. That change is only the look and does not harm the build.
Where you use it
Azobe is used where works remain in lasting contact with water or ground:
- Sheeting: bank cover along ponds, ditches and canals. Read more in our guide what is sheeting or the piece buying sheeting timber.
- Dam wall: heavier water-holding walls for quay walls and canals. See what is a dam wall.
- Piles in water: support piles for bridges, jetties and water works.
- Quay walls: heavy bank works in docks and along canals.
For sheeting systems we supply full packs via sheeting systems. The full hardwood range, plus Azobe, is in the hardwood shop.
Pluses and drawbacks
Pluses:
- Lasting water and ground contact can be done.
- Life span of 30 plus years in water.
- No extra treatment is needed.
- Very hard and strong, with almost no warp.
Drawbacks:
- Heavy and hard, so cutting is harder than softwood.
- Greys when left with no oil. Only the look, not a build drawback.
- Price is higher than treated outdoor softwood.
Upkeep
Azobe needs almost no upkeep in water contact. That is why it is chosen for sheeting and dam walls. Over water the timber greys in a slow even way. If you want to keep the first colour, clean it each year and put on a hardwood oil. For works that stand in water for good, upkeep is not needed.
Common questions about Azobe
What exactly is Azobe?
Azobe is hardwood from Africa in class 1. It is very hard and heavy. It handles lasting ground contact and water contact, with a life span of 30 plus years in water.
What applications is Azobe used for?
Mainly for sheeting, dam walls, piles in water and quay walls. Those are works that stand in water or ground for good.
How long does Azobe last in water?
30 plus years. Azobe sits in class 1 and lasts more than 25 years. In lasting water contact it holds even longer.
Does Azobe need treatment?
No. Azobe lasts on its own and needs no extra treatment. Outdoor wood with no oil greys in a slow even way. That change is only the look and does not harm the build.