Teak (Tectona grandis)
Teak is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious woods in the world. Originally from Southeast Asia and successfully cultivated in Costa Rica, this species is renowned for its exceptional natural resistance to moisture, termites, fungi, and extreme climate changes—making it the best option for outdoor and demanding environments.
Its golden to honey-brown color, well-defined grain, and uniform texture give it an elegant and warm appearance that improves over time, developing a noble patina. Its high natural oil content gives it a smooth touch and strength that doesn’t require chemical treatments.
Recommended uses
Outdoor flooring and decks
Luxury indoor and outdoor furniture
Wall cladding
Naval and marine construction
Pergola and terrace structures
Advantages
✔ Exceptional durability (over 30 years without treatment)
✔ Minimal maintenance
✔ High dimensional stability
✔ Easy to work with proper tools
At Timber CR, we offer teak grown under responsible reforestation principles and sustainable forest management, with legal origin and traceability guaranteed.
Pine (Pinus caribaea / Pinus oocarpa)
Costa Rican tropical pine is a versatile, affordable, and renewable wood, widely used in construction, furniture, and light carpentry. Grown in sustainable plantations, it’s highly valued for its workability, quick drying, and uniform texture.
Its color ranges from pale yellow to creamy white with occasional knots, and its straight grain makes it ideal for precise cuts and smooth finishes. It easily accepts varnishes, paints, or sealants and fits both rustic and modern styles.
Recommended uses
Dry construction and roofing
Door and window frames
Furniture and shelving
Mouldings, baseboards, and decorative panels
Packaging, pallets, and crates
Advantages
✔ Affordable price
✔ Easy to nail, screw, sand, and paint
✔ Suitable for interior and exterior use with proper treatment
✔ Lightweight with excellent yield
Timber CR guarantees plantation-grown pine with controlled technical processes and optimized drying for every application.
Melina (Gmelina arborea)
Melina is one of the most widely used forest species in Costa Rica due to its fast growth, sustainable yield, and adaptability. It is a light, stable, medium-density tropical wood with a light color, easy to work with, and excellent physical-mechanical properties for furniture and carpentry.
Its smooth grain, cream to light-yellow hue, and stable behavior make it perfect for manufactured products and precision-cut parts. International markets appreciate it for its low weight and natural appearance.
Recommended uses
Home and office furniture
Laminated and plywood panels
Doors, closets, and interior panels
Drawer units, decorative boxes, and premium packaging
Non-exposed structural components
Advantages
✔ Lightweight and easy to machine
✔ Good adhesion for paint and sealers
✔ Fast drying and good stability
✔ Competitive cost and excellent m³ yield
At Timber CR, we process Melina from controlled sources, adapting it to different markets with quality standards.
Cedar (Cedrela odorata)
American cedar is one of the most traditional and refined woods in the Latin American furniture industry. It is aromatic, light, durable, easy to work with, and has a warm, elegant look. Its color ranges from pinkish to light brown with fine, silky grains that provide a distinctive and stylish finish.
It also has natural insect-repellent properties, making it ideal for furniture, wardrobes, cases, musical instruments, and precision pieces. It offers excellent dimensional stability and dries quickly without warping.
Recommended uses
Fine furniture and cabinetry
Doors, closets, and vanities
Cabinets, cases, and instruments
Mouldings and decorative elements
Interior cladding
Advantages
✔ Lightweight and easy to carve
✔ Naturally resistant to insects and termites
✔ Pleasant, natural aroma
✔ Excellent for high-end finishes
At Timber CR, we offer cedar with controlled origin and professional finishes for projects seeking elegance, durability, and tradition.
Pochote (Bombacopsis quinata)
Pochote is a native species widely cultivated in Costa Rica. It is a light-colored wood, ranging from cream to light brown, with soft grain and a natural look that charms with its simplicity and authenticity. It’s ideal for rustic, handcrafted, and tropical architecture projects.
While it’s lighter and less dense than other woods, its structural performance is adequate for interior and covered outdoor applications. Its value-for-money and stable behavior make it a favorite among carpenters, designers, and conscious builders.
Recommended uses
Rustic and handcrafted furniture
Interior cladding
Roof planks and pergolas
Light decorative structures
Pallets, fences, and partitions
Advantages
✔ Easy to work with and dry
✔ Uniform texture and attractive grain
✔ Responds well to natural finishes
✔ Sustainable and accessible option
Timber CR ensures responsibly cultivated Pochote from plantations, contributing to conservation and forest diversification.
Balsa (Ochroma pyramidale)
Balsa wood is globally known as the lightest wood on the market—yet remarkably strong for its weight. Native to Latin America’s tropical regions and cultivated in Costa Rica under sustainable forestry systems, balsa has become a valuable resource in industries requiring lightweight, versatile, and eco-friendly materials.
Its color ranges from white to light cream, with a smooth grain and uniform texture that makes it easy to work with, both manually and industrially. Due to its low density, balsa is used in sectors such as aerospace, wind energy, model making, insulation, light furniture, and more.
Recommended uses
Wind turbine blade cores
Composite panels in aerospace and automotive sectors
Ultra-light design furniture
Modeling, crafts, and prototypes
Surf and paddleboard slats
Natural thermal and acoustic insulation
Advantages
✔ Ultra-lightweight with excellent strength-to-weight ratio
✔ Easy to cut, glue, sand, and shape
✔ Renewable and biodegradable
✔ Suitable for lamination and industrial processing
✔ Grown under sustainable standards with traceability
At Timber CR, we process balsa cultivated under responsible practices, ensuring quality, uniformity, and timely delivery for both local and export markets. We offer delivery in blocks, boards, laminates, or custom formats according to your technical needs
