Chengal wood is known worldwide as Malaysia’s most premium tropical hardwood — long-lasting, naturally resistant, and highly valued in construction and marine applications.
But does every project really require Chengal?
At Kilang Papan PGP, a trusted Malaysian timber supplier, we offer both Chengal and a wide selection of sustainable hardwood alternatives that deliver similar performance — often at a lower cost and with less environmental impact.
In this post, we’ll explore when to use Chengal, and when it makes sense to choose other high-quality Malaysian tropical timber species.
Chengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii) is a dense, durable hardwood, ideal for projects where exposure to harsh weather, heavy load-bearing, or prestige finishes are required.
Top applications for Chengal timber:
Outdoor decking, especially near coastal areas
Bridge construction and marine structures
Heritage building restoration
Luxury exterior or interior designs
Roof trusses, beams, and high-end flooring
Key Chengal wood properties:
Density: ~915–980 kg/m³
Durability: Class 1 (Highly durable)
Natural resistance to termites and fungi
Excellent performance even without treatment
If your project doesn’t specifically require the premium properties of Chengal, consider these lesser-known tropical hardwoods — available from PGP Group’s certified timber supply:
Best for: Flooring, beams, furniture, and general construction
Similar strength to Chengal
Lighter in weight (625–895 kg/m³)
More affordable and widely available
Excellent for export with kiln drying and treatment
Best for: Joinery, indoor furniture, paneling
Fine, even grain — easy to machine
Kiln dries well with good stability
Ideal for design-driven interior spaces
Best for: Decking, marine components, bridges
Very high density (820–1200 kg/m³)
Comparable in strength to Chengal or Balau
Suitable for outdoor and structural use after treatment
Best for: Cabinets, moldings, staircases, interiors
Attractive figure and moderate hardness
Easy to work, lighter in weight
More cost-efficient than Meranti or imported species
| Project | Use Chengal? | Recommended Alternative |
| Outdoor decking - coastal | Yes | Bitis and Balau (with treatment) |
| Roof trusses and beams | Optional | Mengkulang, Kapur |
| Joinery and interior panels | No | Keledang, Kembang Semangkuk |
| Heritage restoration | Yes | Chengal only |
| Designer furniture | Depends | Keledang, Nyatoh, Mengkulang |
At Kilang Papan PGP, we offer:
PEFC-certified Malaysian hardwood
Kiln drying and CCA pressure treatment for export
A one-stop sawmill, treatment, and delivery service
By choosing lesser-known species such as Mengkulang, Keledang, or Bitis, you:
Save on material costs
Reduce forest pressure on overharvested timber
Enjoy stable supply chains and export-ready preparation
Whether you're sourcing Chengal wood for premium projects or need high-quality alternatives for international supply, PGP Group is ready to help.
Contact us today for:
Timber species selection consultation
Technical specs and price comparison
Custom kiln drying or CCA treatment
International delivery support
Singapore