Last Updated on March 21, 2021 by
Rubber wood is product of harvesting Para rubber trees that grow in parts of Africa, South America, and Asia. These trees are tapped for latex and are later harvested for rubberwood timber once their useful life is over. While rubberwood is environmentally friendly, its furniture has some disadvantages that include; warping & twisting, perishability, latex allergies, not good for outdoor uses.
Disadvantages Of Rubberwood Furniture
Rubber wood has some disadvantages that makes it not suitable for some pieces of furniture. These include;
Twisting And Warping
Rubberwood has the tendency to twist and warp while it is drying. Warping can cause the lumber to distort before it dries thoroughly. However, if the wood is seasoned, it can become sturdy and durable.
It Is Perishable
Rubberwood has a tendency to decay and it is also perishable. This lumber is also prone to insect and fungal staining which makes it not so suitable for some furniture pieces. This material requires a lot of harsh chemical treatment to prevent these effects. Not everyone is for chemical treatments and this could be a turn-off for many.
May Cause Latex Allergies
For those people that are allergic to latex, rubberwood may be a trigger. Some people experience allergic reactions while using rubberwood and it could be unsuitable for most furniture pieces.
Not Ideal For Outdoor Use
Rubberwood is not very suitable for use in outdoor places as it is moisture absorbent which causes it to deteriorate faster. Rubberwood furniture needs to be kept indoors or in an environment that is less humid.
Texture Difference
One of the main drawbacks of rubberwood is its texture difference. Unlike other woods, this lumber does not have unique wood grains. This lack of unique wood grains means that rubberwood does not dry well and it does not also absorb finishing stains.
Stain Problem
When rubberwood is exposed to chemicals from the seasoning process, it gets a fragile outlook. Cleaning with regular detergents and products stains the rubberwood furniture and it sometimes damages the parawood permanently.
To prevent such damage, it is advisable to clean the wood with warm water and soap only then dry its flooring quickly. You can also use polish oils or grease then wipe immediately to prevent damages on the finish.
What Are The Pros Of Using Rubberwood On Furniture?
Besides the cons the above cons that come with rubberwood furniture, this lumber also has some pros that include;
It Is Sustainable
According to WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), about 10% of the world’s forest are cut down annually for fast-wood forests. If the rate at which the trees are cut down is higher than at which they are growing, it will have a negative impact on the environment. Such effects include floods, landslides, and erosion and it can also enhance global warming.
Rubber wood harvesting minimizes those effects as the trees could still be burned.
Cost-Effective
Rubberwood is cheaper than other woods since it is considered as a byproduct. Most people think of rubberwood as not durable and opt for other timber such as cherry, oak, and maple and this makes it less expensive.
Perfect For Furniture
This type of lumber is processed making it stable with minimal cracking and shrinkage. It is, therefore, ideal for furniture. The wood also has an amazing blonde to medium tan shade.
Absorbs Stains Well
Rubberwood absorbs finishes and stains well. This property makes it great especially if you would like to change the appearance of the wood to suit its setting and your taste.
Easy To Work With
Rubber wood is easy to work with whether by hand or when using power tools. This lumber takes in finishes and stains easily thus producing great results in furniture. It is also perfect for indoor uses and also easy to mould with feed speeds above 20mpm since it accepts paint well.
Nice And Simple Grain
Rubber wood is creamy in color after the sawing process but if turns darker upon drying. It is therefore, easy to stain it to achieve the appearance of oak, cherry, or walnut. Since rubber wood has heartwood and sapwood that are similar nits grain gets nice coarse appearance. When painting the lumber you will require an acrylic primer followed by an undercoat. You can then finish with two coats of gloss.
Resistant to fire
Rubberwood is a substance that resists burning naturally. Unlike other substance that may burn fom such heat sources as cigarette, its furniture is susceptible to less fire damage. Its fumes are also non-toxic and there is therefore, no need to worry in case it catches fire.
Is Rubber Wood Water Resistant?
Like all any other hardwood, rubberwood has varying degrees of quality. This material is not ideal for outdoor application since the rain can leach its protective chemicals. Lack of protective chemicals exposes the wood to insect and fungus attack. When the wood is exposed to excess moisture, it can warp and rot.
Does Rubberwood Scratch Easily?
Rubberwood does not scratch easily since it has almost similar hardness as teak and walnut but slightly softer than oak. Rubberwood is moderately hard with medium texture and same weight and density as ash or maple.
Which Is Best Pine Or Rubberwood?
It may not be easy to compare pine to rubberwood. Rubberwood is a hardwood that is usually improted as less expensive indoor furniture while pinewood is a softwood that is native resinous that makes both exterior and interior furniture. Pinewood is extensively available to cabinet-makers and carpenters.
These two types of wood differ greatly in quality and deicing which is the best may depend on personal preference as well as whether you want wood for making cabinets or for construction or you need ready-made furniture.
Conclusion
Rubberwood has some disadvantages such as warping and twisting, perishability, may not be suitable for outdoor use, and it also triggers latex allergies. It is however, used for furniture since it is cost-effective, can be durable if seasoned properly, and it also takes in stains well.
This lumber is also sustainable since it’s grown for latex harvesting and can be cut down once its usefulness for this purpose is over. Cutting down rubberwood prevents using other alternative timber which may lead to deforestation which causes other issues such as soil erosion, floods, and landslides.
