Passionate about Purpleheart
"Even the gradual changes in color and texture of the purpleheart wood contribute to the textured material design aspect."
— Theodore Touloukian, AIA, Touloukian Touloukian Inc.
When architect Ted Touloukian selected South American purpleheart wood for construction of the pergolas and pavilion at Center City Park in Greensboro, North Carolina, he was initially drawn to it as a low-cost alternative to ipé. But once he saw the lovely amethyst-colored hardwood, he was awed by its vibrant violet hue.
When it is first milled, purpleheart is intensely, passionately purple. Light lines of sap, which dry up within about ten days after milling, delineate its grain lines. The purple wood turns to purplish brown and then to medium reddish brown a few weeks after installation. It eventually fades to gray with exposure to sun and weather, but the grain lines remain pronounced giving purpleheart a distinct textured expression.
According to The Wood Database, purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.) is a heavy, stable wood that offers good decay resistance. It is very resistant to dry wood termites, but purpleheart has little resistance to marine borers, making it more suitable for non-marine projects, such as pergolas.
In 2004-05, when the Greensboro Center City Park project was under development, purpleheart cost significantly less than ipé, Touloukian recalls. "It was economical in the short term; and over the long term, because the structures are not painted or seal coated, it will require very little maintenance," he said. "Not having to re-paint or re-treat the wood every three or four years adds up to big cost savings over the lifespan of a structure," Touloukian added.
Frequently asked questions
What is purpleheart wood and where does it come from?+
Purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.) is a South American hardwood known for its vibrant violet hue when freshly milled. It is heavy, stable, and offers good decay resistance.
How does purpleheart wood change color over time?+
When first milled, purpleheart is intensely purple. It turns purplish brown and then medium reddish brown a few weeks after installation, and eventually fades to gray with exposure to sun and weather, though its grain lines remain pronounced.
Why was purpleheart chosen for the Center City Park project in Greensboro?+
Architect Ted Touloukian initially selected purpleheart as a low-cost alternative to ipé for the pergolas and pavilion. He was then drawn to its vibrant amethyst-colored appearance.
Is purpleheart wood suitable for marine applications?+
No. Purpleheart has little resistance to marine borers, making it more suitable for non-marine projects such as pergolas. However, it is very resistant to dry wood termites.
What are the long-term maintenance benefits of using purpleheart wood?+
Because purpleheart structures don't need to be painted or seal coated, they require very little maintenance. Avoiding re-painting or re-treating every three or four years adds up to significant cost savings over a structure's lifespan.
How can you identify purpleheart wood grain?+
Purpleheart features light lines of sap that delineate its grain lines. These sap lines dry up within about ten days after milling, and the pronounced grain remains visible even as the wood ages and fades to gray.