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.

1. When to Choose Chengal Wood

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

2. Sustainable Alternatives to Chengal Wood from Malaysia

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:

i. Mengkulang (Heritiera spp.)

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

Sustainable choice for structural and interior use

ii. Keledang (Artocarpus spp.)

Best for: Joinery, indoor furniture, paneling

• Fine, even grain — easy to machine

• Kiln dries well with good stability

• Ideal for design-driven interior spaces

A great visual and workability alternative to dense woods

iii. Bitis (Heavy Hardwood)

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

Great for tough conditions, but less known outside Malaysia

iv. Kembang Semangkuk (Scaphium spp.)

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

4. Sustainability Matters: Support Legal and Eco-Friendly Timber

At Kilang Papan PGP, we offer:

• PEFC-certified Malaysian hardwood

• Kiln drying and CCA pressure treatment for export

• Complete export documentation and moisture certification

• 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