BALAU

The Standard Malaysian Name for the heavy, yellow to brown timbers of the genus Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae). Vernacular names applied include BALAU (Peninsular Malaysia) with various epithets, selangan batu No. 1 (Sabah), and selangan batu (Sabah and Sarawak). Major species include S. atrinervosa, S. foxworthyi, S. glauca, S. laevis, S. materialis, S. maxwelliana, S. submontana and S. sumatrana. BALAU are very common throughout Malaysia and being large hardwoods growing within a range of 30 to 60 metres high. The timber is a Heavy Hardwood with a density of 850-1,155 kg/m3 air dry.

BALAU has been widely used for all forms of heavy construction, marine construction, ship and boat building (keels, keelsons and framework), piling, beams, columns (heavy duty), bridges, wharves, cooling tower (structural member), railway sleepers, vehicle bodies (framework and floor boards), boat building, plywood, joinery, cabinet making, mallets, fender supports, door and window frames, staircase (carriage, newel and stringer), pallets (heavy and permanent type), tool handles (impact), telegraphic and power transmission posts and cross arms, posts, joists, rafters, flooring (heavy traffic), decking and heavy duty furniture.