What is rubberwood

Imagine buying a puppy from a reliable breeder vs. This is very similar. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council FSC logo on the wood that you buy or ask the manufacturers or sellers where they get their wood. Rubberwood is considered a hardwood. So rubberwood is hardwood but not all hardwood is rubberwood.

This is confusing considering the name rubberwood gives you visions of bendy wood that is flexible and weak. But it is just as strong as teak if treated correctly, making it one of the more durable woods available. Most hardwoods are comparable and should be chosen based on cost and the look of the wood rather than the features.

Rubberwood is primarily used for furniture and that is what it is usually harvested for. But there are plenty of other uses for rubberwood that is produced every single year. Here are the most common uses for rubberwood. Rubberwood makes great furniture and this is what it is used for most often.

When it comes to rubberwood, expect to find a lot of tables, chairs, and desks. Rubberwood can withstand the impact resistance needed for this type of furniture. Because it is rot-resistant, rubberwood works well for cabinetry. Especially if it is treated wood, which most rubberwood that you buy is. Millwork is any type of wood produced in a mill. So in short, as long as the lumber is used inside, rubberwood will work for the project.

Because it is strong hardwood, rubberwood works well for cutting boards and butcher blocks. It is resistant to deep cuts and can self-heal if the cuts are soft. You can also resand the wood and refinish it as necessary. Never use non-hardening oils, such as mineral oil, on rubberwood that has an oil-based surface. Like any other type of wood apart from the standard health risk like dust no other health risk have been associated with Rubberwood.

If some people may have some allergy for natural latex or rubber then they might have reactions to Rubberwood. Fresh rubberwood log and timber is treated when harvested because it is susceptible to blue stain fungal activity and insects. See here step by step exactly how you can easily treat wood like a pro!

This harmful pests reduce the quality and durability of timber especially for furnished making. Because rubberwood present this issues, it is usually treated with anti-fungal insecticide chemicals. The Kiln drying process mentioned above will destroy those chemicals but some people like better to avoid products that used chemicals during processing. The following table specifies the main insecticides and fungicides used by the rubberwood industry:. Keep and eye for Sodium pentachlorophenol which is highly toxic and it has been restricted or prohibited for use in many countries!!

The hardness of a wood is measure in Janka which is a measure of the amount of force it takes to hollow the surface with a steel ball. Rubberwood is strong, it has a Janka hardness score of lbs.

Since rubberwood is a agricultural by-product it has a low raw material cost, good woodworking properties and today it is one the cheapest solid wood furniture you will find. If we compare rubberwood with other timber from wood species that have a high raw material cost this makes it very costly competitive.

Additionally is has an Eco friendly aspect because they have to be removed after the latex has been extracted. It is almost never exported as a raw lumber form, but it is instead created into some products like furniture, parquet and some other household items and then exported and sold. If you try to import the wood yourself the cost is lower then the available lumber option with this hardness.

If you want a distinctive and unique look, rubberwood offers many outstanding qualities. One advice is to try to shop rubber wood timber that is grown sustain-ably to reduce the environmental impact and have a cool Eco-furniture. I hope this article will clarify what is rubber wood and if it is good for furniture. Skip to content. StartWoodworkingNow Is rubber wood real wood , Is rubberwood good quality , rubber wood furniture , Rubber wood furniture is good or bad?

So I was wondering what is rubber wood and if rubber wood is good for my furniture. In terms of strength of the lumber is also good which allow easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Can be machined process, such as saw milling, peeling, drilling, adhesion and painting to a fairly smooth surface. Source: Ratnasingam and Jones Construction of wooden floors Production of furniture for houses ,offices and interior design for sales shop,display showroom.

Construction of shelves Production of hall chairs and cinema chairs Production of outdoor furniture which has resistance to mold, water retention and anti termite Framing, 3D engraving or printing on wood Fine-art handicraft products.

Pay special attention to cracks, details and grooves where dust can collect. Never use a cloth that has hanging threads or irregular edges. They can get caught and damage the furniture or its equipment. The American Information Center hardwood suggests using furniture wax or silicone oil-based spray. Silicone oil is not always classified as one of the ingredients in the product, so you may have to call the manufacturer to find out if it is used. You May Also Like. What is a Jointer?

Is Jointer the Best Hand Tool? Is Wood a Conductor or an Insulator? The kiln usually diffuses the chemicals without exposing the wood to further harm. Many of the rubber tree plantations which produce wood for furniture making create adverse environmental impacts instead of positive ones.

Because two industries are supported by the estate timber and latex , owners expand their footprint to grow more trees. When this occurs in Brazil, virgin rainforests are eliminated in favor of the rubber trees, reducing the biodiversity in the region.

There are irrigation, water use, and chemical introduction issues to consider with rubber plantation expansion too, which can sometimes increase problems with localized erosion. You must import raw rubberwood to construct your own furniture. Rubberwood furniture is available through most fine retailers. You can order it directly from Pottery Barn, Overstock, and Amazon if you wish. When you want to make your own furniture, however, most people will need to import the product.

That could mean an import license would be necessary to bring the lumber in for use. Working with an importer specializing in wood products is required at the very least. Rubberwood does become slippery when wet. It shrinks the pores to create a dense grain that absorbs some water while creating a surface which encourages hydroplaning.

When rubberwood furniture becomes wet, it also gets slick. That can make some products, like chairs, dangerous to use for some consumers.

You cannot use chemical cleaners with rubberwood furniture. Rubberwood can resist some stains, but it offers a fragile outlook when exposed to chemicals after the seasoning process. Standard household detergents and abrasive cleaning products leave stains behind with parawood. It may even cause permanent damage in some circumstances.

Your best option is to clean the wood with soap and warm water, then quickly drying the moisture away. Grease or polishing oils sometimes work, but it must be wiped up immediately to prevent negative aesthetics from forming. You will find that most of your rubberwood furniture options involve smaller items. Large case goods are rarely supportive enough because of the lightweight nature of this wood unless it is pressure treated or formed into some type of particle board.

Tables, chests, and dressers which are made from rubberwood could be a combination of materials instead. You can find whole items, including cabinetry, made from this product, but it is typically smaller items which are promoted with this lumber product.

It is still more expensive than other types of wood. Another great benefit of rubberwood is it rarely shrinks. This quality makes it deal with rough weather conditions. It is considered as a safe and stable construction material for homes and offices. First, it produces latex during its 30 years of existence. Once the latex yields become low, planters cut it to plant new ones.

It is a lot more stain-resistant compared to other wood types. If you see any stubborn stain on its surface, just use soap and water solution on that specific spot. It will be removed easily. Just like stain-resistant, they are resistant to burns also. They are a good choice for those who are regular smokers. Rubberwood often gets a dent on its surface which affects the quality of its finish.