Home / Wood Compare / Bangkirai vs Indian Rosewood
Professional Comparison · Source-attributed engineering data · Updated 19 July 2026
Bangkirai VS Indian Rosewood
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
🥇
Bangkirai
78/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor🔥Low Flame Spread
- Stronger in bending (MOR 142.0 vs 116.0 MPa)
- Better flame-spread class (Class A vs Class B)
🥈
Indian Rosewood
74/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor
- Lighter (0.75 vs 0.85 g/cm³)
- More durable (Class 1)
- Harder wear surface
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
BangkiraiIndian Rosewood
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Indian Rosewood |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | Indian Rosewood |
| Strength (MOR) | Bangkirai |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Bangkirai |
| Flame spread | Bangkirai |
| Machining ease | Tie |
| Lightness | Indian Rosewood |
Engineering data
| Property | Bangkirai | Indian Rosewood |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1798PROSEA lbf | 2440WD lbf |
| Density | 0.85PROSEA g/cm³ | 0.75FPL g/cm³ |
| MOE | 18.0 GPa | 11.6FPL GPa |
| MOR | 142.0 MPa | 116.0FPL MPa |
| Durability | Class 2 Durable | Class 1 Very Durable |
| Stability | Moderate | Moderate |
| Fire (E84) | Class A indicative | Class B indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 4.2PROSEA % | 2.7WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 9.3PROSEA % | 5.8WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 2.21 | 2.15 |
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 | 🥇 Indian Rosewood | ★★★★☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Indian Rosewood | ★★★☆☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Indian Rosewood | ★★★★☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Bangkirai | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Bangkirai | ★★★★★ |
Advantages & limitations
Bangkirai
Advantages relative to Indian Rosewood
- MOR is 142 MPa vs 116 MPa, about 22% higher
- MOE is 18.0 GPa vs 11.6 GPa, about 55% higher
- Fire (E84) is Class A vs Class B — one class better on flame-spread rating
Limitations relative to Indian Rosewood
- Janka is 1,798 lbf vs 2,440 lbf, about 26% lower
- Durability is Class 2 vs Class 1 — one class less durable in exterior service
Indian Rosewood
Advantages relative to Bangkirai
- Janka is 2,440 lbf vs 1,798 lbf, about 36% harder
- Durability is Class 1 vs Class 2 — one class more durable in exterior and ground-contact service
Limitations relative to Bangkirai
- MOR is 116 MPa vs 142 MPa, about 18% lower
- MOE is 11.6 GPa vs 18.0 GPa, about 36% lower
- Fire (E84) is Class B vs Class A — one class lower on flame-spread rating
Recommendation
Choose Bangkirai if…
- Decking, exterior joinery, structural components subject to bending loads where the higher bending strength, stiffness and Class A fire class all matter in specification
- Heavy exterior work where the Class 2 durability is acceptable for the exposure and the top-tier stiffness is the deciding factor
Choose Indian Rosewood if…
- Musical instruments (documented as the standard for acoustic guitar backs, sides and fingerboards since the 1960s), fine furniture, decorative veneer and panelling where the higher hardness and Class 1 durability both matter
- Turned and carved specialty objects where the harder, more durable Dalbergia is what the project is specifying
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Bangkirai or Indian Rosewood?
Indian Rosewood — it carries the better EN 350 rating (Class 1 vs Class 2). Lower class numbers mean higher natural durability.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Indian Rosewood — outdoor performance combines decay durability with dimensional stability, and it leads on that combination.
Is Bangkirai harder than Indian Rosewood?
No — Indian Rosewood is harder (Janka 2440 vs 1798 lbf).
How we score. Each Library Score is a weighted composite of the verified figures above, expressed as a percentile against our 60-species library. Cost is handled qualitatively, never scored. Full weighting and what it excludes.