Home / Wood Compare / Merbau vs Balau
Professional Comparison · Source-attributed engineering data · Updated 19 July 2026
Merbau VS Balau
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
🥇
Merbau
84/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor💧Moisture Stable
- Higher durability (EN 350 Class 1 vs Class 2)
🥈
Balau
81/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood🌧Outdoor💧Moisture Stable
- Close second across most categories
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
MerbauBalau
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Merbau |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | Tie |
| Strength (MOR) | Balau |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Balau |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Tie |
| Lightness | Merbau |
Engineering data
| Property | Merbau | Balau |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1712WD lbf | 1700WD lbf |
| Density | 0.74FPL g/cm³ | 0.78FPL g/cm³ |
| MOE | 15.4FPL GPa | 18.0FPL GPa |
| MOR | 116.0FPL MPa | 138.0FPL MPa |
| Durability | Class 1 Very Durable | Class 2 Durable |
| Stability | Good | Good |
| Fire (E84) | Class B indicative | Class B indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 2.7WD % | 3.5WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 4.6WD % | 6.5WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.7 | 1.86 |
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 | 🥇 Merbau | ★★★★☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Merbau | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Merbau | ★★★★☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Merbau | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Balau | ★★★★☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Merbau
Advantages relative to Balau
- Durability is Class 1 vs Class 2 — one class more durable in exterior and ground-contact service
Limitations relative to Balau
- MOR is 116 MPa vs 138 MPa, about 16% lower
- MOE is 15.4 GPa vs 18.0 GPa, about 14% lower
Balau
Advantages relative to Merbau
- MOR is 138 MPa vs 116 MPa, about 19% higher
- MOE is 18.0 GPa vs 15.4 GPa, about 17% higher
Limitations relative to Merbau
- Durability is Class 2 vs Class 1 — one class less durable in exterior service
Recommendation
Choose Merbau if…
- Interior flooring and exterior decking, outdoor furniture, pergolas and patios, boardwalks and bridges where the Class 1 durability is what the exposure needs and the shared Class B fire class is the baseline
- Boat building, heavy structural frameworks and industrial flooring where the documented Merbau exterior role is what the project is specifying
Choose Balau if…
- Boat building (keels and framework), heavy construction, bridges and railway sleepers where the higher bending strength and stiffness are what the piece must deliver and the Class 2 durability is acceptable for the exposure
- Decking, cladding, exterior joinery and industrial flooring where the harder, stronger hardwood profile is the specification
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Merbau or Balau?
Merbau — 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?
Merbau — outdoor performance combines decay durability with dimensional stability, and it leads on that combination.
Is Merbau harder than Balau?
Yes — Janka 1712 lbf vs 1700 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.