Home / Wood Compare / European Larch vs Meranti Red Lauan
Professional Comparison · Source-attributed engineering data · Updated 19 July 2026
European Larch VS Meranti Red Lauan
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
🥇
European Larch
44/100 Library Score
🌲Softwood💧Moisture Stable
- Better dimensional stability (Good vs Poor (warp-prone))
- Stronger in bending (MOR 90.0 vs 79.3 MPa)
🥈
Meranti Red Lauan
8/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood
- Lighter (0.52 vs 0.55 g/cm³)
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
European LarchMeranti Red Lauan
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | European Larch |
| Hardness | Tie |
| Strength (MOR) | European Larch |
| Stiffness (MOE) | European Larch |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Tie |
| Lightness | Meranti Red Lauan |
Engineering data
| Property | European Larch | Meranti Red Lauan |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 740WD lbf | 800WD lbf |
| Density | 0.55WD g/cm³ | 0.52FPL g/cm³ |
| MOE | 11.8WD GPa | 10.6FPL GPa |
| MOR | 90.0WD MPa | 79.3FPL MPa |
| Durability | Class 3 Moderately Durable | Class 3 Moderately Durable |
| Stability | Good | Poor (warp-prone) |
| Fire (E84) | Class C indicative | Class C indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 4.2WD % | 3WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 8.2WD % | 7.5WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.95 | 2.5 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 European Larch | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 European Larch | ★★★☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 European Larch | ★★★☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
European Larch
Advantages relative to Meranti Red Lauan
Limitations relative to Meranti Red Lauan
Meranti Red Lauan
Advantages relative to European Larch
Limitations relative to European Larch
Recommendation
Choose European Larch if…
- Exterior cladding, boat and ship building, decking, fencing, poles and piling where the documented softwood exterior role is what the project is specifying
- Windows and staircases where either species performs comparably on the shared Class 3 durability and Class C fire class
Choose Meranti Red Lauan if…
- Plywood (the timber's dominant use worldwide), interior furniture and cabinetmaking, general construction and concrete forms, doors and window frames where the utility hardwood profile is the specification
- Interior panelling, flooring, mouldings and skirting where the working properties are comparable and cost or availability is the deciding factor
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, European Larch or Meranti Red Lauan?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 3, Moderately Durable). Outdoors, movement will not separate them either — 8.2% against 7.5% tangential. The practical difference is weight: European Larch runs 0.55 g/cm³ against 0.52, so Meranti Red Lauan is the easier fix overhead and the cheaper one to freight.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
European Larch — outdoor performance combines decay durability with dimensional stability, and it leads on that combination.
Is European Larch harder than Meranti Red Lauan?
No — Meranti Red Lauan is harder (Janka 800 vs 740 lbf).
How we score. Scores shown are percentile ranks within our library, weighted towards durability and dimensional stability. They shortlist; they do not decide. Full weighting and what it excludes.