Red Balau, also known as Bangkirai, is a premium tropical hardwood sourced from Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines). With a Janka hardness rating of 1,580 lbf and a density of 59 lbs/ft³, Red Balau is classified as Class 2 - Durable — one of the most durable commercial lumber species available. The heartwood exhibits light to medium red-brown with interlocked grain, moderately coarse texture, creating a striking natural appearance that improves with age.
Why Choose 1x6 Red Balau Wood for Your Siding?
As exterior cladding, Red Balau siding provides a weather-tight barrier with exceptional impact resistance. The dense grain resists dents, hail damage, and woodpecker damage far better than cedar, pine, or fiber cement alternatives. Properly installed 1x6 Red Balau siding delivers a service life of 40+ years with minimal maintenance — an optional annual oil treatment preserves the original color, or you can let the Red Balau wood weather to a distinguished silver-gray patina. Red Balau carries a Class A - Low flame spread, making it suitable for wildfire-prone regions where code-compliant materials are required.
The 1x6 rainscreen profile is engineered for open-joint cladding systems with ventilation gaps behind the boards. This modern system manages moisture while creating a striking contemporary facade. All Red Balau lumber is available in Select and Better grade with lengths ranging from 4′ to 20′. For detailed step-by-step instructions, consult our Red Balau installation guide. Long-term care recommendations are covered in our Red Balau maintenance guide.
1x6 Red Balau Siding — Installation & Coverage Specs
- Recommended joist spacing: 16" on center for 1x6 boards (0.75" actual thickness)
- Fastener placement: Secure per profile requirements, one fastener per joist minimum
- Board weight: A 12-foot 1x6 Red Balau board weighs approximately 20 lbs (1.69 lbs/LF)
- Coverage: Each 12-foot 1x6 board covers 5.5 sq ft of siding surface (5.5" face width)
- Pre-drilling required: Always pre-drill in Red Balau — the 1,580 lbf hardness prevents direct screwing
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