Kempas gets grouped with oak, teak, and merbau as one of Singapore's go-to parquet species — but it has its own distinct character worth understanding before choosing it.
Kempas is a Southeast Asian hardwood that consistently shows up alongside oak, teak, and merbau in Singapore parquet conversations — reddish-brown, dense, and widely available regionally. It doesn't get the same attention as the "big three," but it has real advantages worth knowing about.
Here's how it actually compares, and where it makes the most sense.
Kempas is a dense, durable hardwood native to Southeast Asia, with a distinctive orange-red to reddish-brown tone that darkens with age and light exposure. It's harder than oak and walnut, making it a genuine contender for high-traffic areas, though it can be prone to some colour variation across a single batch compared to more uniform species.
Being regionally sourced, kempas is often more competitively priced than imported species like teak or walnut, while still offering solid tropical-climate performance.
| Species | Tone | Tropical Suitability | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kempas | Reddish-orange to brown | Good | Moderate |
| Merbau | Dark reddish-brown | Excellent | Moderate |
| Oak | Warm mid-tone | Good | Higher |
| Teak | Golden-brown | Excellent | Highest |
Bar length relative to merbau at 100%, based on general Janka hardness references for each species.
Kempas is a solid, underrated choice for homeowners who want hardness and tropical durability without stretching to teak or walnut pricing.
Considering kempas for your floor? WhatsApp us for honest species advice.
WhatsApp a Photo NowBeyond oak, teak, and merbau, we also work with kempas — ask us for species advice suited to your room and budget.
View This Service →WhatsApp us a few photos and we'll tell you honestly what your floor needs — no obligation.
