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Balau | Shorea albida

Balau is a highly durable hardwood that is features a yellow to brown appearance.

Balau is highly durable hardwood native to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, used mainly for heavy construction.

Native to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, Balau is a dense hardwood used mainly for heavy construction.

Other Names: Selangan Batu, Gisok, Belangeran, Empenit Thitya, Teng, Alan, Shorea glauca, Maxwelliana, Shorea seminis, Shorea laevis

Overview
Properties
Description
Applications
Suppliers

Overview

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. Balau is also susceptible to pinhole borer damage.

In relation to its density, Balau is relatively easy to work. It does not contain silica, however resin pockets may be present, meaning resin can build up on cutting equipment. Pre-drilling is advisable when nailing. Balau can be painted, stained and polished but is not suitable for steam bending

Balau is not often seen in Australia. Not to be confused with the more common Red and Yellow Balau timbers, Balau (Shorea albida) is used for heavy construction, wharfage, sleepers and shipbuilding.

Properties

Shrinkage

	Very Low	Low	Medium	High	Very High
Tangential:
Tangential:				7.0
Radial:				4 - 5

Strength Group

	Very High	High	Reasonably High	Medium High	Medium	Reasonably Low	Low	Very Low
Unseasoned:	S1	S2	S3	S4	S5	S6	S7
Unseasoned:
Seasoned:	SD1	SD2	SD3	SD4	SD5	SD6	SD7	SD8
Seasoned:

Stress Grade

	Structural No. 1	Structural No. 2	Structural No. 3	Structural No. 4	Structural No. 5
Unseasoned:	F27	F17	F14	F11	F8
Seasoned:	F27	F22	F17	F14	F11

Density per Standard

Unseasoned:	1150 kg/m³
Seasoned:	900 kg/m³

Joint Group

	Very High	High	Reasonably High	Medium	Low	Very Low
Unseasoned:	J1	J2	J3	J4	J5	J6
Unseasoned:
Seasoned:	JD1	JD2	JD3	JD4	JD5	JD6
Seasoned:

Colour

White, yellow, pale straw to light brown	Pink to pink brown	Light to dark red	Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky

Mechanical Properties

Durability

	Low	Moderate	Reasonably High	High
	(0 - 5 yrs)	(5 - 15 yrs)	(15 - 25 yrs)	(more than 25 yrs)
In-Ground:
	(0 - 7 yrs)	(7 - 15 yrs)	(15 - 40 yrs)	(More than 40 yrs)
Above ground:
	(0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5)	(21 - 40 yrs)	(41 - 64 yrs)	(More than 60 yrs)
Marine Borer Resistance:

Lyctid Borer Susceptibility:	Susceptible
Termite Resistance:	Not Resistant

Fire Properties

	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
EFH Ignitibility:

	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
EFH Spread-of-Flame Index:
EFH Smoke-Developed Index:

	1 - non-combustible	2 - reasonably non-combustible	3 - slightly combustible	4 - combustible
Fire Properties Group Number:

Group Number - Other:	3 if used on MDF or particleboard ≥12mm; veneer thickness 0.6-0.85mm
Average Specific Extinction Area:	<250
Bushfire Resistance:	BAL 12.5 and 19 – All AS3959 required applications

Description

Botanical Name:	Shorea albida
Preferred Common Name:	Balau
Other Names:	Selangan Batu, Gisok, Belangeran, Empenit Thitya, Teng, Alan, Shorea glauca, Maxwelliana, Shorea seminis, Shorea laevis
Species Type:	Hardwood

Appearance

Balau features heartwood that is of a yellow to brown colour and has a paler sapwood, which can be up to 50 mm wide. Its moderately fine and even texture presents an interlocked grain, which produces a stripe figure on the radial surface. Resin pockets may also be present. Balau is susceptible to pinhole borer damage.

Common Applications

Of high strength and durability, Balau is mainly used for heavy construction. It is also used for wharfage, sleepers, ship building.

Common Form

Sawn

Workability

Although Balau is a high-density hardwood, it is relatively easy to work. The main workability issue is due to the presence of resin pockets, which means resin can build up on cutting equipment. If Balau is being nailed, the timber should be pre-drilled. Any machining and surface preparation should be done immediately before gluing. Balau is not suitable for steam bending.

Origin of Timber

Asia, SE Asia

Availability - Further Information

Balau is rarely available in Australia. Balau should not be confused with the more common Red Balau and Yellow Balau species.

Source of Timber

Native Forest

Applications

Architectural Roof Trusses

Architectural timber roof trusses create strong visual impact. Often used as part of ‘cathedral ceiling’ systems, timber can be specified light or heavy to suit the chosen theme and style. On finish, they can be left natural or may be oiled, stained, painted or highly decorated. Choice is limited only by individual style and design preferences.
Exterior Rails and Balustrades

This guide provides general information on member sizes, connections and suitable materials for construction of handrails and balustrades in external applications. Commonly built from treated softwood and durable hardwoods, they can be finished with a wide variety of paints or stains, creating balustrades that with the right care and attention, will comfortably withstand the elements for decades to come.
Exterior Stairs

For outdoor applications, timber is one of the leading material choices. Timber use in external staircase applications creates structures of strength and durability, sheathed in a natural beauty that blends seamlessly with the outdoor environment.
Interior Stairs

Timber should be the material of choice for designers seeking internal staircases of strength, beauty and durability. The construction procedure described here applies to most general type stairs of either conventional or contemporary construction.
Retaining Walls (Landscaping)

When it comes to retaining wall, landscape design and construction, timber is the natural choice. A material that is durable, sturdy and reliable, it boasts natural aesthetics that help it blend seamlessly with the outdoors. Careful consideration during the specification and design process will facilitate the creation of a long lasting, durable and eye catching timber retaining wall that will complement its surrounding landscape for years to come.
Shear walls

Lateral loads such as wind or earthquake on framed timber buildings - either post and beam or stud and joist - need to be resisted and shear walls and diaphragms offer an effective and economical solution.
Structural Timber Poles

Timber poles are utilised in structural construction to provide support for gravity loads and resistance against lateral forces. Not only serving a structural function, timber poles provide many aesthetic benefits, with their use in construction often complementing architectural designs aimed at harmonisation with the natural environment.
Timber Portal Frames

For buildings that require large spans and column free interiors, timber portal frames provide one of the most aesthetically pleasing solutions. Utilising modern engineering technology, portal frame design transforms timber into a highly effective, efficient and economical structural product. This application guide provides a comprehensive overview of the process of using timber in the specification, fabrication and erection of portal frame structures.