Home / Wood Compare / Bangkirai vs Shisham Sissoo
Professional Comparison · Source-attributed engineering data · Updated 19 July 2026
Bangkirai VS Shisham Sissoo
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
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Bangkirai
78/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor🔥Low Flame Spread
- Stronger in bending (MOR 142.0 vs 97.5 MPa)
- Better flame-spread class (Class A vs Class B)
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Shisham Sissoo
52/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor💧Moisture Stable
- Easier to machine and fasten
- Lighter (0.75 vs 0.85 g/cm³)
- More stable in service
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
BangkiraiShisham Sissoo
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Shisham Sissoo |
| Hardness | Bangkirai |
| Strength (MOR) | Bangkirai |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Bangkirai |
| Flame spread | Bangkirai |
| Machining ease | Shisham Sissoo |
| Lightness | Shisham Sissoo |
Engineering data
| Property | Bangkirai | Shisham Sissoo |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1798PROSEA lbf | 1660WD lbf |
| Density | 0.85PROSEA g/cm³ | 0.75WD g/cm³ |
| MOE | 18.0 GPa | 10.4WD GPa |
| MOR | 142.0 MPa | 97.5WD MPa |
| Durability | Class 2 Durable | Class 2 Durable |
| Stability | Moderate | Good |
| Fire (E84) | Class A indicative | Class B indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 4.2PROSEA % | 3.1WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 9.3PROSEA % | 5.3WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 2.21 | 1.71 |
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 | 🥇 Shisham Sissoo | ★★★★☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Shisham Sissoo | ★★★☆☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Shisham Sissoo | ★★★★☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Shisham Sissoo | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Bangkirai | ★★★★★ |
Advantages & limitations
Bangkirai
Advantages relative to Shisham Sissoo
- MOR is 142 MPa vs 97.5 MPa, about 46% higher
- MOE is 18 GPa vs 10.4 GPa, about 73% higher
- Fire (E84) is Class A vs Class B — one class better
Limitations relative to Shisham Sissoo
- Radial shrinkage 4.2% vs 3.1% and tangential 9.3% vs 5.3% — greater movement on both axes
Shisham Sissoo
Advantages relative to Bangkirai
- Radial shrinkage 3.1% vs 4.2% and tangential 5.3% vs 9.3% — much less movement in service
Limitations relative to Bangkirai
- MOR is 97.5 MPa vs 142 MPa, about 31% lower
- MOE is 10.4 GPa vs 18 GPa, about 42% lower
- Fire (E84) is Class B vs Class A — one class lower
Recommendation
Choose Bangkirai if…
- The application is heavy outdoor structural — decking, terraces, bridges, boat building, or industrial floors
- Higher bending strength and stiffness matter for the structural element
Choose Shisham Sissoo if…
- Dimensional stability is the deciding factor — furniture, cabinetry, or interior flooring where panels must stay flat
- The application is decorative carving, turnery, or musical instruments — its documented specialist uses
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Bangkirai or Shisham Sissoo?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 2, Durable). For outdoor work the separation is movement, not decay: Shisham Sissoo moves 5.3% tangentially against 9.3%, which decides board width and fixing spacing more than the durability class does.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Shisham Sissoo — outdoor performance combines decay durability with dimensional stability, and it leads on that combination.
Is Bangkirai harder than Shisham Sissoo?
Yes — Janka 1798 lbf vs 1660 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.