Species & Grade:

Bangkirai Yellow Balau decking, Clear & Better grade, AD

Why Choose Yellow Balau?

Create a premium outdoor space with Yellow Balau hardwood decking, its knot free appearance, consistent light brown colour will make for a notably modern and sophisticated decking area.

Appearance
Yellow Balau boards are mostly a consistent straw brown colour with occasional slight lighter and darker variation, adding to the overall natural appearance.

Our stocks are packed with ‘stickers’ to ensure a seasoned product. While these stickers may leave marks across the boards, such marks are not considered defects, slight marks fade soon after installation.

As a natural product, occasional workable imperfections (max 10%) such as slight areas of missed machining or small pin holes may occur. These minor variations are characteristic of the species and should be accounted for within the recommended waste allowance during installation planning. See our guidance section for advised wastage allowance.

Strength & Longevity
Rated with a high D50 strength class, Yellow Balau offers exceptional resistance to decay and wear. Its density and durability make it ideal for areas with heavy foot traffic, ensuring over 25 years of dependable performance.

Moisture Content & Stability
Yellow Balau is typically air-dried to approximately 18% moisture content or kiln-dried to 18%. This process ensures the wood remains stable without becoming brittle, enhancing its resistance to environmental changes. Slight width variations of up to 5% will occur, fitting with a minimum 10mm variable air gap is therefore advised if boards ends meet, this keeps all lengths in line with one another.

Sustainably Sourced
SLVK certification guarantees Yellow Balau is legally and sustainably sourced from Indonesia. By choosing Yellow Balau, you support responsible forestry practices and environmentally conscious building.

Applications
• Premium decking for residential and commercial properties.
• High-traffic outdoor areas
• Elegant garden decking or poolside finishes.

How to prepare, maintain and install Balau hardwood decking boards:

Wastage Allowance:

We advise over ordering by 10%, our Yellow Balau is graded Standard and better.

• Our Yellow Balau Decking is air dried to a moisture content of 18% (+/ -) 2% making it suitable for immediate installation as external decking. If being used internally further drying is required, see how to store, for more information on how to acclimatize for internal use.
• No more than 10% of the boards may contain workable naturally occurring defects such as minor surface splits, end splits, pin holes.

Fixing Types:

All screws, nails, bolts and metallic accessories that come into contact with this product must be corrosion resistant. We recommend:

• Stainless steel

• If fixings other than stainless steel are used there is risk of permanent spotting and corrosion stains appearing on the surface. This is due to naturally occurring acidic oils.

  Should I use screws or nails for fixing?

• Balau hardwood decking must be fixed with screws and not nails.
• Screws can be countersunk, for a discreet finish.
• To Hide your screws use a Kreg Deck Jig KJDECKSYS20, this product requires Kreg Deck Screws SDK-C262W-525, if using this support system follow manufactures guidelines for securing.

• What Screws do I need?

• Screws should be a minimum diameter of 4mm – pre drill pilot holes 2/3rds of shank diameter to minimize risk of splitting.
• Screw length should be at least twice the depth of the decking.

Installing Balau hardwood decking:

Our Yellow Balau decking is supplied air dried to a moisture content of 18 % (+ / - 2 %) meaning no drying is required prior to installation if being used as external deck boards.

• If being fitted internally moisture content must be reduced below 10%, see how to store for more information.
• Ensure that fixings are placed at the bottom of a groove or into the visible face If your boards are planed all round profile, if using a hidden support system refer to manufacturers guidelines.
• Balau deck boards must have at least a 10mm air gap between them to allow for expansion and contraction, use a spacer when laying boards.
• Slight width variations of up to 5% will occur, fitting with a minimum 10mm variable air gap is therefore advised if boards ends meet, this keeps all lengths in line with one another.
• If board is below 100mm in width insert one centrally placed screw at every joist.
• If the board width ranges from 100mm to 200mm wide, insert two screws where the board crosses a joist, positioning the screws approximately 25mm to 50mm from the board edges.
• Exposed end grain of boards should be protected with end grain sealant.
• Do not apply oils, stains, preservatives or paints If your timber is wet or moist, wait until suitably dry. To prevent evaporating internal moisture forcing any coating back to the surface, creating undesired splotches.
• If staggering runs together, ensure they are jointed on joists with the ends sealed with end grain sealant.

• Substructure Guidance:

  The following points provide guidance for acquiring the correct sized materials, and are not comprehensive instructions for creating a decking substructure.

• Beams and joists should be a minimum nom size of 2 x 6” / 50 x 150mm finished size of 45mm x 144mm.
• Posts should be a minimum nominal size of 4 x 4” / 100 x 100mm finished size of 94mm x 94mm.
• Beam centers should be a maximum width of 2.40m.
• Joist / deck board fixing centers should be a maximum width of 0.60m
• Posts will last twice as long if they are not driven beneath ground, its best to insert posts into concrete decking blocks or use bolt down post holders.
• Hot tubs can weigh over 3 tonnes, dense pressure treated C24 studs should be used to support hot tubs, to ensure longevity and safety.

Maintenance:

Applying preservatives to Yellow Balau decking is advised. In order to enhance the natural appearance and to delay the silvering process we advise using a quality oil such as Treatex Bangkirai Decking Oil or Osmo Bangkirai decking oil. These products will preserve and enhance your deck as well as slow the silvering process, and protect from mildew. Re apply every 2 – 3 years to maintain enhanced natural appearance indefinitely.

• Once your Yellow Balau decking has eventually silvered you may like the silver colour as many customers do, some customers achieve this faster by applying weathered aged wood accelerator for a unique and sort after natural worn aesthetic.  
• If you want to revive your timber once silvered off there are numerous solutions that will bring your timber back. Depending on how weathered your wood is you may be able to apply wood stain straight onto it, try sampling a small section to see.  
• Sweep your deck with a broom regularly and hose down with water to remove unsightly debris such as leaves twigs and bird droppings.
• If your wood is heavily weathered, we advise using a power washer after scrubbing the wood with a mixture of water and bleach. Though labor-intensive, this process is cost-effective. Ensure you wear appropriate personal protective equipment. This method is also effective for removing algae, mildew, and fungus. After cleaning, apply protective oils, lacquer, and stains for long-lasting protection and satisfaction with your wood. Do not power wash softwoods with a finished depth of less than 18mm. Avoid positioning the water jet close enough to damage the timber.
• If your species is vulnerable to fungal attack we advise mixing Owatrol VC175 Mould Killer a powerful internal and external anti fungal additive mixable with any oil, varnish lacquer, wood stain or paint, simply mix with your preferred coating for lasting protection. Note: Yellow Balau is not vulnerable to fungal attack it naturally resists fungus.

Storage:

Additional drying time may be required depending on your application.

• Our Yellow Balau is supplied AD to a moisture content of 18% (+ / - 2%) and is ready for immediate use if being installed as external decking.
• For internal use further seasoning is required to bring the moisture content down to 10%, Acclimatization is achievable within 4 weeks, by stickering every layer.
• Do not apply oils, until after installation.
• Contact us in advance of delivery so you can prepare. Put in a complaint straight away if anything is not right, we are happy to help.
• Its advised to store your timber either indoors, or outside under ventilated and weighed down tarpaulin sheets and or in a shaded area where the elements cannot reach your wood.
• There is no need to sticker your Yellow Balau if it is being used outdoors or is received already at a suitable moisture level for intended use, it can be stored stacked neatly under cover until ready for use, except for applications where further drying is needed. It is advised that you purchase a wood moisture meter along with your timber to confirm the moisture level is suitable.
• If you decide to sticker your order, the sticks for drying on site must be clean and ideally planed to minimize marks. Any faint marks caused by stickering will fade away over time.
• Timber should be stored raised above ground.

How we Deliver:

We provide cost-effective and dependable shipping solutions for any order size, whether you need a single length delivered next day, 300 miles away, or hundreds of lengths for a larger project. Our extensive network of haulage partners ensures your timber arrives on time and in perfect condition.

• Delivery Quotes:
  Easily calculate your shipping costs on our cart page, or get in touch via phone or email for a personalized delivery quote.

• Nationwide Coverage:
  We work with a variety of reliable carriers, including Royal Mail, Parcelforce, DX, Pallet Network as well as dedicated heavy goods vehicle hauliers, and long-wheelbase van hauliers. This broad network guarantees reliable, cost effective national coverage.

• Despatch Times:
  Estimated despatch times are displayed on product pages, helping you plan your projects with confidence.

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• Assistance:
  If you’d like a call before delivery, let us know when placing your order. Please note that DX and Parcelforce offer all-day delivery slots, so we cannot provide an exact notice of arrival. For any issues at checkout or if you need additional support, don’t hesitate to contact us for a customized quote.

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• Kerbside Deliveries:
  All deliveries are made to the kerbside, at the entrance of your property. The delivery driver may ask for help with offloading if required. If no one is available to receive the goods, and you have given permission in advance, we may leave your order in a safe place near the front of your property. Otherwise, re-delivery is usually arranged for the next working day.

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Whether you’re ordering small samples or bulk timber supplies, our network and expertise ensure competitive pricing and dependable service. Please note that to maintain our advertised delivery timeframes and minimize costs, we may occasionally use a different haulier than the one specified at checkout.

Returns & Refunds Policy

Our Promise to You

Customer Centric Approach: Your satisfaction is our priority. Should you have any concerns or questions about your order, please reach out to us immediately. Our team strives to respond with a fair resolution as quickly as possible.

• 30-Day Return Period

  • Flexible Returns: You may return any item(s) within 30 days of delivery if you are not fully satisfied—whether due to a product issue or simply a change of mind.

• Condition for Returns

  • Original Condition Required:

    • To qualify for a full refund, items must remain exactly as you received them.

    • If your order cannot be returned in full we will accept return of part of the order which meets the criteria for a refund.

    • Timber should not be cut, nailed, painted, oiled, or altered in any way.

    • Products should be stored and handled appropriately to avoid damage (e.g., not left uncovered outdoors).

• Ineligible Returns: If lengths of timber have been modified, used, or otherwise changed from original condition, such lengths will not be eligible for a refund.

• Quality & Imperfections

  • Pre-Despatch Checks: We inspect each order before it leaves our facilities.

  • Product Discrepancies: In the rare case you receive more imperfections than described, we will replace the affected pieces or offer a full refund, including transport costs or offer a refund for part of the order where lengths which are not used or otherwise returnable.

• Initiating a Return

  • Contact Us: Reach out by phone or email to inform us of your intention to return an item. We will provide step-by-step instructions.

  • Proper Packaging: Use the original packaging if possible, (we can ship more packaging if needed) and ensure the timber is secured to prevent damage during transit.

  • Shipping Arrangements: We can help organize a collection or give you the return address if you prefer to arrange your own courier. We can use a different carrier to the one we delivered with if you prefer.

  • Inspection Upon Arrival: Once we receive the returned items, our team will assess their condition to confirm eligibility for a refund.

• Refund Processing

  • Transport Costs: For returns due to personal preference or reasons unrelated to product quality, the cost of transporting the items back to us will be deducted from your refund.

  • Full Reimbursement: If we determine the product is faulty or not as described, we will issue a full refund, covering all transport costs.

  • Refund Timeline: We aim to process refunds within 48 hours of receiving and verifying the returned order.

  • Trade Customers: If you are a trade customer, you may opt to receive a credit note for future purchases instead of a direct refund.

• Damaged or Faulty Deliveries

  • Immediate Notice: If your order arrives with visible damage, please take photographs and contact us as soon as possible.

  • Resolution Options: Depending on the issue, we will facilitate a replacement, a refund, or a solution that ensures your continued satisfaction.

Continuous Improvement

• Open Communication: The sooner you alert us to any concerns, the faster we can address them.

• Our Commitment: We value lasting customer relationships, which is why we handle all issues promptly and professionally. Your feedback helps us refine our products and services for future customers.