Balau VS Garapa
- Leads on stiffness, bending strength, hardness — a narrow but consistent edge
- Lighter (0.72 vs 0.78 g/cm³)
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | Balau |
| Strength (MOR) | Balau |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Balau |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Garapa |
| Lightness | Garapa |
Engineering data
| Property | Balau | Garapa |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1700WD lbf | 1650WD lbf |
| Density | 0.78FPL g/cm³ | 0.72WD g/cm³ |
| MOE | 18.0FPL GPa | 15.57WD GPa |
| MOR | 138.0FPL MPa | 127.8WD MPa |
| Durability | Class 2 Durable | Class 2 Durable |
| Stability | Good | Good |
| Fire (E84) | Class B indicative | Class B indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 3.5WD % | 4.2WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 6.5WD % | 7.5WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.86 | 1.79 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor decking / pergola | 🥇 Balau | ★★★★☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Garapa | ★★★☆☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Balau | ★★★★☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Garapa | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Balau | ★★★★☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Balau
Advantages relative to Garapa
- MOE is 18.0 GPa vs 15.6 GPa, about 15% higher
Limitations relative to Garapa
Garapa
Advantages relative to Balau
Limitations relative to Balau
- MOE is 15.6 GPa vs 18.0 GPa, about 13% lower
Recommendation
Choose Balau if…
- Marine and freshwater construction, wharves, jetties, piers, bridges, railway sleepers and boat framework where the higher stiffness matters under load
- Heavy-traffic flooring, beams and columns where structural stiffness is the specification
Choose Garapa if…
- Decking, docks and boardwalks where either species performs comparably on the shared Class 2 durability and Class B fire class
- Exterior siding, marine gratings and handholds where the specific documented Garapa role is the specification
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Balau or Garapa?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 2, Durable). For outdoor work the separation is movement, not decay: Balau moves 6.5% tangentially against 7.5%, which decides board width and fixing spacing more than the durability class does.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Both are EN 350 Class 2, and tangential movement runs 6.5% for Balau against 7.5% for Garapa — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and Balau holds its dimension marginally better. Hardness is effectively level (1,700 vs 1,650 lbf), so choose on weight.
Is Balau harder than Garapa?
Yes — Janka 1700 lbf vs 1650 lbf.