Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBalau Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Balau is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameShorea spp.
Janka hardness1,600 lbf
Average dried weight53 lb/ft³
Best fitPlywood
Overview
Why choose Balau?
Balau is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Southeast Asia. It is useful when the project calls for plywood,veneer, general construction, flooring, as well as a number of other general utility purposes
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameShorea spp.
DistributionSoutheast Asia
ShrinkageRadial: 5.5%, Tangential: 10.1%, Volumetric: 15.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.8
DurabilityHighly variable among species; should be considered as non-durable in regard to decay resistance, and is also susceptible to insect attack.
Balau colour, grain, and figure
Expect color can be highly variable depending upon the species: ranging from a pale straw color, to a darker reddish brown.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: has a coarse texture with medium to large pores. Grain is sometimes interlocked.
Working notes
In the shop, typically hard to work, due to its high density. Some species may have a slight blunting effect on tools due to small levels of silica present in the wood.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Balau in the Shorea genus has been reported to cause eye, throat, and skin irritation.
Balau should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Balau
Best projects
Plywood,veneer, general construction, flooring, as well as a number of other general utility purposes
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Balau from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Balau FAQ
What is Balau best used for?
Balau is best considered for plywood,veneer, general construction, flooring, as well as a number of other general utility purposes. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Balau beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Balau?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.