What is rubberwood? Rubberwood is a type of lumber that comes from breaking down rubber trees in Pará. It is often used to make furniture. Cutting down rubberwood is good for the earth and helps new trees grow that can make rubber.
Because it is cheap, lasts a long time, and is good for the environment, it is a popular choice for makers and customers when making furniture. Keep reading to learn more about what is rubberwood.
What Is Rubberwood?
Rubberwood is a wood which originates from a rubber tree named Hevea brasiliensis. It looks a little yellow and has an open-grain pattern like a hardwood. More and more people are using rubberwood because it is a good hardwood that is also cheap and good for the environment.
It resists soaking water after being kiln-dried, making it a great material for furniture-making. It’s a lot lighter than redwood, and the grain is mostly straight, with some cross grain near the branches. Rubberwood can be painted with almost any colour because it takes stains well.
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Importance Of Rubberwood
Rubberwood furniture is a great choice for many reasons. Here are the good things about this hardwood option to help you choose and also knowing what is rubberwood.
Reasonable Prices
The rubberwood is cheaper than other wood furniture since it’s a byproduct of the tree’s latex extraction for rubber. Cutting down the tree after it stops making rubber is a simple and helpful process that makes room for new trees.
Medium-Dense
One way to describe rubberwood is as a medium-density hardwood. This means that the wood is neither too thin nor too thick. Unlike heavier, higher-density hardwoods, it is the right mix between being durable, cheap, and easy to move.
Durability
Rubberwood is a tough and affordable choice for wood furniture because it has a middle stiffness. Rubberwood is less likely to shrink or crack because its wood grain is strong and straight. It’s also appropriate for dining room tables, chairs, mattresses, and other statement furniture that must hold varied weights.
Friendly To The Environment
In the past, we discussed how lumber companies cut down rubberwood to make furniture when it’s almost dead and no longer making latex. This lets it fully benefit an environment before it is taken from it. There is a limited time to gather rubberwood, and the tree grows quickly. Other woody trees can take up to 100 years to fully develop.
Versatile Stain Options
Rubberwood naturally has a light to medium wood tone, but it’s easy to colour it to get different wood tones! The reason for this is that it is open and has straight wood grain. Therefore, makers can create a range of styles and colours using rubberwood. This gives you more furniture choices.
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Is Rubberwood Wood?
Rubberwood is real wood. It comes from the rubber tree with a cylinder-shaped stem that gets wider near the base. Even though it comes from jungles, it can also do well in dry places. Aside from making furniture out of rubber wood, this tree is also grown to get its latex. But it’s also important to know that taking latex from a rubber tree doesn’t hurt it. Farms that grow rubber trees get trees that are 25 feet tall. This is because the process of extracting rubber makes them grow more slowly.
The leaves of rubber trees are green to yellow. They also have a strong smell that some people don’t like. The trees that make this wood are light brown, and the grain is straight. These trees also make fruit. Don’t be scared if you see fruit growing from it! Within a 30m radius, the fruit can grow, which lets the tree drop seeds and spread its genes.
Rubberwood Is Ideal For Furniture
A lot of people know that rubber wood is the best. This hardwood is comparable to other furniture hardwoods in hardness. Rubber wood is ideal for furniture since it doesn’t warp or shrink. You can make many goods from this wood since it’s easy to deal with. For eco-friendly wood, rubber wood is taken from sustainably produced trees.
Common Uses Of Rubberwood
The furniture industry highly regards rubberwood for its versatility in making everything from eating tables, chairs, and bed frames to cabinets and even toys. Its medium density prevents warping and cracking, which is important for furniture in busy environments. Moreover, it’s very easy to use, which makes it a favourite for do-it-yourself wood-related jobs.
Conclusion
Rubberwood is a safe and sustainable material for toys. In contrast to illegal cutting and overharvesting that happens with tropical hardwoods, the production of rubberwood does not lead to the loss of forests or habitats. If you buy rubberwood toys, you can support practices that are good for the environment and people and enjoy high-quality, long-lasting wood games. After reading this article, we hope you understand what is rubberwood.
FAQ
How Long Does Rubber Wood Last?
Yes, rubberwood trees live for 100 years. They can grow up to forty metres in open areas and 100 feet in marsh areas. Longevity and eco-friendliness make it popular.
Does Rubberwood Keep Water Out?
Although rubberwood isn’t waterproof, it’s still not a good material for use outside, especially when it rains. The water removes the chemicals that protect the wood, leaving it open to bugs and fungus.
Is Rubber Wood Immune To Termites?
No, termites can eat rubber wood if they get the chance. For some reason, termites don’t like rubberwood. However, a full-on termite invasion could be problematic if you don’t treat the wood properly.
Would You Recommend Rubber Wood Over Synthetic Wood?
Yes, rubberwood is better for the world than other woods from jungles. It can also be recycled and has a very interesting grain. These things are not true of engineered wood.
Does Rubber Wood Stand Up To Heat?
Unfortunately, rubberwood doesn’t naturally resist heat. In other words, it can still burn but handle fire and hot things being put on its surface.
Sources:
https://www.wayfair.com/sca/ideas-and-advice/guides/what-is-rubberwood-T21885
https://froy.com/blogs/tips/what-is-rubberwood-guide-to-its-uses-pros-and-cons
https://tier1furnishings.com/what-is-rubberwood-furniture-flooring
