Wallaba Shingles vs. Cedar Shingle: A Comparison Table
What is Wallaba? Wallaba is a dense tropical hardwood which is grown in the forest of Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil. The wood is light red to reddish‐brown in color. The wood has a very high density and the texture is rather coarse with grain that is typically straight. Wallaba consists of high gum exudates and oily resin which are part of the properties that fight against insects and decay. Wallaba wood was mainly known for its use as shingles and transmission poles for centuries. Other usage includes rail road ties, industrial flooring, decking, fence post, etc.
A Quick Comparison:
| Category | Wallaba | Cedar |
|---|---|---|
| Weathering | Bright Silver | Dull Grayish Color |
| Endurance | 40+ years without treatment | 10-20 years with treatments |
| Fire Resistance | Naturally Resistant | Not Naturally Resistant |
| Decay | Naturally Resistant | Moderately Resistant |
| Janka Side Hardness | 2040 lb. at 12% MC | 350 lb. at 12% MC |
| Hurricane Resistance | Category 5 | Unknown |
Wallaba Shingles vs. Cedar Shingle: A Comparison Table
As you can see from the table above, Wallaba shingles naturally outperform Cedar shingles. At Turada® we aren’t telling you not to use cedar shingles, we’re simply letting you know that there is a better alternative!
The environmental impacts can be huge, Turada® Hardwood Shingles do not require the chemical treatments that traditional cedar shingles would need. This makes Wallaba shingles better for the environment.
If you would like a more in depth analysis, check out the official study here.