Can anyone help identifying what wood this window frame is?

[Phil_D]

Hi Chaps!

Currently stripping back a hardwood window frame. It’s going to be replaced by a non opener. The new glass is insulated etc and 28mm thick, the plan is to cut the existing return off and trim it in both sides with some matching wood… only problem is I’m not sure what it is! Can anyone help?

And as a bonus part B to the question, what’s the best way of cutting the existing return off? Multi tool with flush cut bit is an option but in my experience when you’re not cutting across the grain it can be difficult and almost burns through the wood.

 

[Cato]

Looks like sapele to me.

 

[Ton-up]

Yeah, a type of sapele

 

[dan treg]

ok i was going to say maranti as its close grained

 

[dobbslc]

One for @eLuSiVeMiTe regarding chopping up window frames

 

[Blue Chips]

Looks like sapele to me.

Yeah, a type of sapele

Yes, I think it could be sapele, but I think the grain also looks like mahogany. The reproduction 9-over-6 windows we had made by a cabinet shop for our house restoration project have mahogany frames.

IIRC, sapele is related to mahogany, but somewhat harder than mahogany.

 

[Phil_D]

Nice, thanks guys!!

Any tips on lopping the return off the window frame?

 

[Redsailor]

Nice, thanks guys!!

Any tips on lopping the return off the window frame?

Variable speed multi tool thingy at a slow speed setting. Have always found that works for cross grain cutting.

 

[Cato]

Nice, thanks guys!!

Any tips on lopping the return off the window frame?

I've found if you're cutting along the grain with multi tools it helps a lot if you move the saw itself back and forth along the cut line. Imagine you're trying to make the cut with the saw off. Obviously don't turn the saw off or it'll take a very long time.

 

[Sergei Slovenija]

looks like ash, red stain

 

[blackolive (Ste)]

Lauan ? When my dad had some windows made 40 odd years ago they used this as it was cheaper than mahogany https://www.wood-database.com/lauan/

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I've found if you're cutting along the grain with multi tools it helps a lot if you move the saw itself back and forth along the cut line. Imagine you're trying to make the cut with the saw off. Obviously don't turn the saw off or it'll take a very long time.

I find a 45 degree angle and take a few passes works well.

Tacking a bit of wood as a guide makes it easier too.

Spent the afternoon trimming off stair noses and repairing.

 

[mtt.tr]

could be meranti pretty popular for windows

 

[Turbo]

Looks like mahogany to me, very common on houses over here until pvc took over,

 

[not done it yet]

Depending on where you live or work, the term mahogany could mean hardwoods from Africa, America, or Indonesia (probably amongst others). Sapele, brazilian, Meranti, even Iroko (more usually grouped with teak) are all typical frame timbers.

I would guess it is brazilian which has been surface coated during its life as a window frame.

 

[selectedgrub]

What colour is this orange?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Looks like mahogany to me, very common on houses over here until pvc took over,

That was going to be my guess.

 

[clift_d]

Re. cutting off the return / upstand, if this is just at the base of the opening then my first instinct would be to use a router. I'd probably build a long timber 'table' with some 3x2" or similar that sits over the frame on either side of it, which the router base can bridge across to allow me to machine off the upstand in the space in the middle, with the last bits at the ends chiselled out by hand. However, if this return is on all four sides then I'd be tempted to take the frame out, but if that's not possible then I'd probably try an electric hand planer and take it down gradually, again with a chisel to finish in the corners.