Vitex — Vitex cofassus
A Pacific hardwood from PNG, the Solomon Islands and Fiji — known throughout the region as Pacific Teak. Class 2 above-ground durability with a pale creamy-grey appearance that weathers to a distinguished silver-grey patina. Specified for premium decking, cladding and battened ceiling/feature applications where a softer, lighter palette is preferred over reddish or brown tropical hardwoods.
Vitex products
Premium decking and battened cladding for projects wanting the coastal silver-grey aesthetic. Class 2 durability with excellent steam-bending characteristics.
Technical ReferenceSummary
Vitex (Vitex cofassus) — known throughout the Pacific as Pacific Teak — is a hardwood native to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Fiji. It has been a traditional boat-building timber across the Pacific for centuries, valued for fine texture, durability, steam-bending characteristics and excellent finishing. Increasingly specified in Australia for coastal and architectural decking, cladding and battened applications where a pale, lighter-toned tropical hardwood is preferred over reddish or brown alternatives.
Heartwood is classified Class 2 — Durable above ground per AS 5604. Density 700 kg/m³ — moderate for a tropical hardwood. Janka hardness 5.6 kN seasoned. Modulus of rupture 113 MPa, MOE 12 GPa seasoned. Not susceptible to Lyctus borer. Low shrinkage (tangential 4%, radial 2%) gives good dimensional stability. Strength and joint group classifications under AS 1720 are not commonly published for Vitex — specify by mechanical performance and species name.
Class 2 of 4
Character & Appearance
Heartwood is pale yellowish to creamy-grey with a fine, slightly lustrous texture — visually closer to traditional teak than to most other tropical hardwoods. Untreated, it weathers to a distinguished silver-grey patina over 6–12 months of UV exposure. Sapwood is paler still and not clearly demarcated.
Grain is even and straight, with a fine and slightly lustrous texture. Vitex is renowned for excellent steam-bending characteristics — historically the timber of choice for traditional Pacific boat building. Machines and finishes excellently, takes paint, stain and polish well. Note: gluing is poor — mechanical fasteners preferred for structural joins.
Species & General Properties
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Property | Unseasoned | Seasoned |
|---|---|---|
| Density | — | 700 kg/m³ (12% MC) |
| Specific gravity | — | 0.7 |
| Janka hardness | — | 5.6 kN |
| Modulus of rupture | — | 113 MPa |
| Modulus of elasticity | — | 12 GPa |
| Strength Group | — | Not classified under AS 1720 |
| Joint Group | — | Not classified under AS 1720 |
| Stress Grade | — | Not published |
| Shrinkage (Total) | Value |
|---|---|
| Tangential shrinkage | 4.00 % |
| Radial shrinkage | 2.00 % |
Recommended Applications
Vitex combines a pale, traditionally teak-like palette with Class 2 durability and excellent steam-bending characteristics — equally suited to architectural decking, battened ceilings and Pacific marine work.
Specification Notes
- Natural durability rating applies to heartwood only.
- Recommended spec wording: "Vitex / Pacific Teak (Vitex cofassus) heartwood — AS 5604 Class 2 above-ground durability. Density 700 kg/m³ seasoned, Janka 5.6 kN. Not classified under AS 1720 — specify by species name and mechanical performance."
- Strength group / joint group: Vitex is not commonly classified under AS 1720. For structural applications, specify by mechanical performance values and species name.
- Lyctus: not susceptible — no Lyctus treatment required.
- Gluing: poor adhesion — mechanical fasteners (stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanised) preferred for structural joins.
- Weathering: untreated Vitex develops a silver-grey patina over 6–12 months — often the desired finish for coastal architectural applications.
- Sourcing: Kosny sources Vitex from legal and traceable supply chains in PNG, the Solomons and Fiji.
References
Speccing Vitex for a project?Vitex for a project?
Premium Pacific Teak for coastal decking, battened cladding and architectural work. Sourced from legal and traceable supply chains in PNG and the Solomons. Talk to us about profile, length and quantity.