Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Angelim Pedra VS Apitong: Which Flooring Material Is Right For You? [INFOGRAPHIC]

For years, Asian Apitong has been the standard hardwood choice for trailer flooring and truck bed applications. More recently, another hardwood species has made an impact on the trailer flooring world: Angelim Pedra. Both are great options for industrial uses such as trailer flooring, but which is the right choice for you?

The following infographic compares the two species by four important metrics; hardness, strength, stiffness, and density. We hope this helps shed some light on the issue and gives you the information you need to decide which is best for you. Enjoy!

apitong vs angelim pedra trailer flooring

As you can see, both varieties have their pros and cons. Angelim Pedra beats Apitong in both hardness and density, while Apitong is the clear choice in terms of strength and stiffness. Both are superior trailer flooring products, so the choice is often a matter of personal preference. Which do you prefer? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Top 3 Lumber Choices for Trailer Flooring

Not every hardwood species or variety of species is appropriate for trailer flooring applications. Some species are too soft. Others are too susceptible to inclement weather. Here at TrailerDecking, we get a lot of questions about what are the best lumber choices for trailer decks and beds, so we decided to compile a list of our favorite species and varieties. These choices represent the strongest and longest-lasting trailer flooring options on the market. Enjoy!

apitong trailer flooring

Apitong Truck Flooring
Apitong is our most popular truck flooring product, and for good reason. It is incredibly strong (10,500 psi) and has a hardness rating of 1,270 lbs. While it is not naturally very resistant to wood boring insects or inclement weather, it works great with an application of high-quality sealant. It is also a great trailer flooring choice for dry climates or covered beds.

Angelim Pedra Truck Flooring
Considered one of the most durable truck flooring options, Angelim Pedra has a hardness rating of 1,720 lbs and a strength of 8,990 psi. What it lacks in superior strength it more than makes up for in stability and durability. Angelim Pedra truck flooring is one of the most stable hardwood options you can pick, second only to Purpleheart, meaning it is much less likely to warp and buckle over time. It is also rated very resistant to both white-rot and brown-rot fungus, making it a great choice for more humid climates.

Laminated Truck Flooring
Laminated truck flooring isn't exactly a specific species, obviously, but it is still one of the most popular options on the market today. Laminated truck flooring, or LTF, is used strictly in dry van trailers as it can't withstand exterior exposure. This frees up manufacturers to use softer woods that wouldn't otherwise be appropriate for trailer flooring applications, such as Red Oak and mixed light hardwoods from Southeast Asia.

Have questions about which trailer flooring choice is right for you? Contact TrailerDecking.com today to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives. We'd be happy to help!