What is yellow Balau hardwood?

Yellow Balau Batu is a heavy hardwood that is native to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. It comes in a variety of hues such as teak, yellow-brown and purplish-brown with stunning red undertones. The wood will darken to a deeper brown as it ages and weathers.

Is Yellow Balau a hardwood or softwood?

Yellow Balau (pronounced Bal-Ow) – Bangkirai – is a very durable Malaysian hardwood. It is a hard, heavy and strong timber with an even texture that is well suited to deck construction.

How long does yellow Balau decking last?

between 20-30 years
We currently offer yellow balau decking, which is very light in colour, kind of like a milky chocolate shade which fits in well with most gardens and colour schemes. Balau is a type 2 decking which means that it has a life span of between 20-30 years depending on the treatment of the decking.

Where does yellow Balau wood come from?

Malaysia
Native to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, balau is a dense hardwood used mainly for heavy construction. The heartwood of balau is yellow to brown, which is distinct from the paler sapwood. Its moderately fine and even texture presents an interlocked grain, which produces a stripe figure on the radial surface.

Is Balau wood poisonous?

Balau is a very good, hardy and durable wood to use in outdoor wooden decks and other outdoor projects. It contains toxins that limit insects eating it and it is high in resins and oils which naturally repels water and limits rot.

Is Balau termite resistant?

Yellow Balau is a very dense wood that is bright yellow-brown in color, which fades into a dark grey-brown shade when exposed to direct sunlight. Properties such as excellent water resistance, fungi and termite resistant, make this wood ideal for use as outdoor decking that is exposed to the elements.

Is Yellow Balau slippery?

Even with a slight slope engineered into the deck. It is this build up that deteriorates the timber quickly and thus makes it slippery.

What Colour is Balau?

What does Balau timber look like? Yellow Balau timber is yellow-brown, with a strong similarity to the hue of straw in that respect. Red Balau is a much darker red-brown colour. The grain in the wood can often be interlocked and the texture of the timber is quite coarse or harsh.

How do you treat yellow Balau decking?

Balau decking can be left untreated to weather down over time, or, can be treated with penetrating oils. Treatex, which is also available at Round Wood, is an exterior wood finish that can slow the ageing process of your decking boards.

Should you oil hardwood decking?

Oiling Your Deck Proper oiling is a great way to make sure that you get more life out of your deck. Applying deck oil is one of the best ways to preserve your timber, and protect it against everything from UV rays, to excess rain and mould.

What is Balau wood used for?

Is Balau wood termite resistant?

Which is stronger a Balau tree or a teak tree?

Balau, which is grown in the same Pacific-Asia region is rated by the Timber Council as stronger and more durable than Teak. Balau is a slow growth tree that offers the rich tropical oils that Teak used to possess. With the lesson that they learned with Teak, Balau is a responsibly managed specie of wood.

What kind of wood is yellow balau used for?

Yellow Balau Batu is extremely durable which is why it is used to build ships, boats, staircases, bridges, boardwalks and flooring. It naturally resists decay, insects, fungus, and fire. The wood’s texture is very fine and the interlocking grains are of medium size.

Why is balau wood more porous than other wood?

Because the wood is imported, it is generally more expensive than domestic woods such as oak and pine. Particularly for decking, where a large quantity of wood is needed, this extra cost can be prohibitive. Balau decking is highly porous, so any spills will absorb into the wood if the stain is not wiped up immediately.

Where can I buy balau wood decking?

Since it is difficult for a consumer to determine whether balau has been properly dried, it is best to only purchase this type of decking from highly reputable merchants. Balau wood is not native to North America. These trees grow in hilly regions of Southeast Asia, so any balau wood used in American decking must be imported.