Red Balau hardwood fence installed

Red Balau Fencing

Dense Southeast Asian hardwood fencing with warm red-brown tones — solid performance and value from a non-South American sourcing region.

Janka Hardness

2,700 lbf

Lifespan

40+ years

Fire Rating

Class A

Rot Resistance

Very Good — No Treatment

Why Choose Red Balau for Fencing

Red Balau fencing brings dense, durable Southeast Asian hardwood to your fence line. For homeowners who want geographic sourcing diversity or simply appreciate this species' warm red-brown color and strong performance, Red Balau fence boards deliver 40+ years of service backed by 2,700 Janka hardness — far exceeding cedar, redwood, and all pressure-treated options.

Harvested from the Shorea genus in Malaysia and Indonesia, Red Balau provides a fencing option entirely outside the South American supply chain. This geographic diversity appeals to environmentally conscious buyers and builders who want to spread sourcing across managed forests on multiple continents.

The color of a fresh Red Balau fence is a warm, uniform red-brown that falls between Cumaru's reddish tones and Massaranduba's deeper red. This mid-tone warmth appeals to homeowners who want a fence that feels natural and inviting without being as dark as Ipe or as light as Garapa. Red Balau boards tend to have consistent coloring, giving the fence a cohesive, clean appearance.

Red Balau naturally resists rot, decay, and insect damage, earning Class 1-2 durability and Class A fire ratings. No chemical treatment is needed, making it safe for all residential fencing applications. The wood works well in privacy, horizontal slat, and decorative fence designs.

For budget-conscious hardwood fencing projects, Red Balau delivers genuine premium performance at a competitive price. Its 2,700 Janka hardness puts it well above cedar (350), redwood (450), and pressure-treated pine (690), while its 40+ year lifespan means you fence once and enjoy decades of worry-free performance.

Fence Styles You Can Build with Red Balau

Vertical Picket

Classic privacy fencing. Vertical boards with optional gaps for airflow.

Best for: Privacy, security

Pickets: 1x4, 1x6, or 5/4x4 | Rails: 2x4 or 2x6

Horizontal Slat

Modern architectural look. Horizontal boards run between posts for a contemporary feel.

Best for: Modern homes, curb appeal

Boards: 1x4, 1x6 | Posts: 4x4 or 6x6

Board-on-Board

Alternating boards on both sides for full privacy from any angle. Premium appearance.

Best for: Full privacy, neighborhoods

Pickets: 1x6 | Rails: 2x4 or 2x6

Custom / Decorative

Architectural and specialty designs. Custom milling available for unique profiles.

Best for: Accent fences, entries

Contact us for custom profiles

Shop All Red Balau Fencing

Browse every size and grade with live pricing.

What You Need for a Red Balau Fence

Pickets (face boards)

  • 1x4 — Narrow pickets, decorative spacing
  • 1x6 — Standard privacy picket (most popular)
Shop Red Balau Pickets →

Rails (horizontal supports)

  • 2x4 — Standard rail size
  • 2x6 — Heavy-duty rail for tall fences
  • Use 2 rails for fences under 5\'. Use 3 rails for 6\'+ fences.
Shop Red Balau Rails →

Posts (vertical structural members)

  • 4x4 — Standard fence post
  • Set posts 2-3 feet deep in concrete.
Shop Red Balau Posts & Timbers →

Red Balau Fencing Specifications

Botanical NameShorea spp.
Common NamesRed Balau, Selangan Batu
Janka Hardness2,700 lbf
Density58 lbs/ft³
Durability ClassClass 1-2
Fire RatingClass A (ASTM E84)
Rot ResistanceVery Good
Insect ResistanceVery Good
Ground ContactGood (with concrete footing)
Expected Fence Lifespan40+ years
Color (Fresh)Warm red-brown
Color (Weathered)Silver-gray patina
Chemical Treatment RequiredNo
Available Picket Sizes1x4, 1x6
Available Rail Sizes2x4, 2x6
Available Post Sizes4x4
OriginSoutheast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia)

Fencing Installation Tips for Red Balau

Pre-drill all fastener holes. Use stainless steel screws. Set posts 2.5-3 feet deep in concrete with 6-8 foot spacing. Use 3 rails for 6-foot fences. Seal cut ends. Allow 7-14 days acclimation. Red Balau is moderately dense — easier to work than Ipe but still requires proper hardwood installation practices.

Red Balau Fence vs. The Alternatives

FeatureRed BalauCedarPT PineVinylComposite
Lifespan40+ yrs15-20 yrs10-15 yrs20-30 yrs20-25 yrs
Rot ResistanceNaturalModerateChemicalN/ALow
Insect ResistanceNaturalModerateChemicalN/ALow
MaintenanceOptional oilStain yearlyStain yearlyWash onlyWash only
Chemical TreatmentNoneNoneYesPlasticPlastic/wood
Strength (Janka)2,700 lbf350 lbf690 lbfN/AN/A
Fire RatingClass ANot ratedNot ratedMeltsMelts
Eco-FriendlyYes — naturalYes — naturalNo — chemicalsNo — plasticNo — plastic

Red Balau Fence vs Cedar Fence

Cedar is nearly 8 times softer than Red Balau (350 vs 2,700 Janka) and lasts only 15-20 years with constant maintenance. Red Balau lasts 40+ years with no chemical treatment required.

Red Balau Fence vs Ipe Fence

Ipe is harder (3,684 vs 2,700 Janka) and longer-lasting (up to 75+ vs 40+ years), but costs more. Red Balau provides solid premium performance from a Southeast Asian sourcing alternative at a better price.

Learn more about Ipe Fence

Red Balau Fence vs Pressure-Treated Pine

Pressure-treated pine contains chemicals, warps within years, and lasts only 10-15 years. Red Balau is 100% natural, stays straight, and lasts 3-4 times longer without any chemical treatment.

Red Balau Fencing FAQ

Red Balau (Shorea spp.) fencing uses dense tropical hardwood from Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia). At 2,700 Janka hardness, it provides premium fence performance with warm red-brown color and a 40+ year lifespan — all without chemical treatment.

Very durable. Red Balau's 2,700 Janka hardness and Class 1-2 durability rating provide excellent resistance to rot, decay, and insects for 40+ years. It also carries a Class A fire rating.

Red Balau comes from Southeast Asia, primarily Malaysia and Indonesia. It's from the Shorea genus (Dipterocarp family), providing geographic sourcing diversity compared to South American species.

Ipe is harder (3,684 vs 2,700 Janka) and lasts longer (up to 75+ vs 40+ years), but costs more. Red Balau provides solid premium hardwood fencing performance from Southeast Asian forests at a more accessible price.

Red Balau fencing has a warm, uniform red-brown color — warmer than Ipe's chocolate-brown but lighter than Massaranduba's deep red. The consistent coloring creates a clean, cohesive fence appearance.

No maintenance is needed for structural performance. To maintain the warm red-brown color, apply UV-protective oil annually. Without treatment, Red Balau weathers to silver-gray. Clean with hardwood cleaner as needed.

Ready to Build Your Red Balau Fence?

Browse red balau fence boards, rails, and posts with live pricing — or call for a free quote.