There are various types of wood for housing and furniture. One that belongs to the premium category is yellow Balau or Bengkirai Wood. The popularity of this wood is not even inferior to teak or Merbau as one of the most recommended choices, this type of wood has advantages and disadvantages that must still be considered.
It is undeniable that the use of wood for housing is still very popular today. Even though there are many other types of materials that are no less superior, wood still doesn’t lose its fans. The production and business of buying and selling wood are still busy, while the expertise in processing and shaping wood is being maintained from generation to generation.
In this article, let’s discuss yellow balau specifically and its advantages and disadvantages. That way, your knowledge about the field of wood will be wider, and you can be sure to choose and process this wood for the right use.
Table of Contents
The Origin of Yellow Balau
This popular wood comes from trees that thrive in the regions of Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia. Other countries in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia and the Philippines, also produce Yellow Balau for domestic and export needs. This wood gets its distinctive name from its identical brownish-yellow color.
Bengkirai trees can grow to a maximum height of up to 40 meters and a diameter of 120 cm. Wood craftsmen like this wood because it is relatively easy to process with a relatively short drying process, which takes 12 days to 1 month. After drying, wood functions flexibly for various residential needs to basic materials for making furniture.
Characteristics of Yellow Balau
This type of wood has a sturdy texture, making it suitable for building construction and other residential needs. The texture varies, from slightly rough to smooth. Even though the potential for cracking is quite high, the strength of the wood will not be compromised. To cover cracks, you can patch them using a wood filter.
The strong characteristics and aesthetic appearance make this wood dynamic. People rely heavily on wood for piers, outdoor flooring, sleepers, bridges, fences, doors, windows, and other construction needs. Craftsmen also often use this wood for the basic materials of various furniture.
Advantages of Yellow Balau
As one of the most recommended types of wood, Yellow Balau has advantages over other woods. Here are some of the advantages of wood that are often relied upon in the field of construction and woodworking:
- Included in the category of first-class wood in terms of strength and resistance to termites. Its strength even equals or even exceeds teak wood.
- Suitable for basic construction materials and outdoor needs.
- Nice and smooth fiber and brownish-yellow color support a natural and artistic appearance.
- Long-lasting without having to do complicated maintenance. The use of wood can take up to years. Even so, you should still take care of wood products, at least clean them of accumulated dust, or coat them with a special liquid so that they can last much longer.
- Easily processed into various shapes so that it is liked by wood craftsmen. With special tools, wood can be shaped easily. With special skills, wood craftsmen should be able to make wood products according to your order.
- Relatively affordable prices for superior quality wood. The abundant supply of wood makes the price of wood not as expensive as teak. Even so, the principle of selective logging and timber certification must continue to be implemented to maintain a stable supply of wood from nature.
Disadvantages of Yellow Balau
The various advantages possessed by this wood are also offset by its disadvantages. Every consumer must know this clearly to use various wood products appropriately. Bengkirai wood has a fairly high degree of cracking, which may reduce the perfection of its appearance. Even so, the strength of the wood will not be reduced, and you can patch cracks with special coatings.
Complete information about the advantages and disadvantages of wood should be able to broaden your horizons, as well as make it easier to choose the best wood for various uses. Equally important, you also have to pay attention to the status and legality of the wood. That way, any collaboration with wood producers has the potential to be profitable while still supporting environmental sustainability.
Especially when you want to order wood products in bulk, certified timber will guarantee a legal transaction process to avoid potential confiscation by the state. As a consumer, you should not get hung up on low prices but must be smart in choosing a timber company that can provide legal services and consistently maintains product quality.
It is also very important to choose wood producers and carpenters selectively. Pleasant service and smooth communication are very important, especially when you want to order custom furniture products. Making wooden doors, windows, and other wooden craft products will be easier when the coordination between Yellow Balau carpenters and consumers runs smoothly.