Balsa
Ochroma pyramidale
Hardness
Very soft, dents easily; great for carving, poor for floors.
Overview
One of the lightest, softest commercial woods, used for models, prototypes, and lightweight cores rather than structural work.
Commonly built
- Model airplanes
- Architectural models
- Surfboard cores
- Craft projects
Appearance
Nearly white to pale tan, with a very open, uniform texture.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Cuts easily with hand tools or even a sharp blade; extremely soft and dents under light pressure. Not suitable for load-bearing joints or hardware.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn balsa panel moves roughly 0.42 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Balsa move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Balsa?
Balsa has a Janka hardness of 90 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Balsa suitable for outdoor use?
Balsa is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Balsa to work with?
Balsa has Excellent workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Balsa move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn balsa panel moves roughly 0.42 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Rarely finished conventionally: balsa is a model-making, core, and buoyancy wood, so extremely soft and porous that it soaks up finish unevenly and gains little protection from it. If sealing is needed (for models or display pieces), use a sanding sealer or thinned finish first to fill the open cells, then build light coats; a single coat of most finishes just disappears into the wood. Dents from the lightest handling, so no finish makes it durable.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used balsa, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.