Yellow Balau is the most popular hardwood used to make garden furniture. Yellow Balau has always been famous for its comfort and durability.

Density: 600 – 700 kgs/cbm at 12% M

Also known as Aek, Ak, Balao, Takhian-samphon, Teng and Rang (Thailand); Anggelam, Balau, Bangkirai and Dammar laut  (Indonesia); Gisok, Malayakal and Yakal (Philippines); Mai chik khok (Laos); Phchok (Cambodia); Sal (India); Selangan batu (Brunnei); Thitya (Myanmar).

General Description: Yellow Balau like Teak, is a hardwood that is often used in the manufacture of outdoor garden furniture. The appeal of Yellow Balau is its resemblance in colour and grain to Teak, although at a much lower cost. Due to the high density it is extremely durable, heavy and robust making ideal for use in the manufacture of Garden Furniture. Yellow Balau has a life span of about 20-30 years. In comparison to other species, Yellow Balau has only a small tendency of warping or twisting and therefore is very adaptable to our changeable weather conditions.

Maintenance Instruction: we advise our customers to maintain their Yellow Balau furniture often with a timber oil,such as that used for teak, as the timber itself will weather with continued exposure to sun and rain. Keeping the furniture in a covered area will also help to preserve the timber. When exposed to the elements, if not treated the timber will weather just as teak and all woods do, it will turn to a silver-grey patina over the years while maintaining its strength and durability, and not effecting the integrity of the timber. The furniture can be left like this if it’s the look you prefer. Surface cracks on Yellow Balau are rare but may occur over time, yet won’t affect the strength of the furniture.

Yellow Balau is the most popular hardwood used to make garden furniture. This wood is said to have a wide range of uses. Yellow Balau has always been famous for its comfort and durability. It is so durable that it is also used for ship building. Choose yellow Balau garden furniture and you cannot go wrong because it’s inherently elegant, classic and gives an aesthetic look. It would stay for decades in your garden.

AIR DRYING

The timber seasons very slowly, with severe end-checking and splitting, moderate surface-checking and staining as the main sources of defects. 13 mm thick boards take 4 months to air dry, while 38 mm thick boards take 8-10 months.

KILN-DRYING

Kiln Schedule B is recommended.

Kiln Schedule B

SHRINKAGE

Shrinkage is high, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.8% and tangential shrinkage averaging 3.7%.