Hardwood is generally considered better for furniture construction than softwood as it has strength and stability.
What is asian hardwood solids.
Rubberwood is a light colored medium density tropical hardwood obtained from the parĂ¡ rubber tree hevea brasiliensis usually from trees grown in rubber plantations.
Many big box and home furnishings retailers will have pieces made out of rubberwood.
Also known as rubberwood parawood or para rubber tree asian hardwood lumber is a byproduct of rubber plantations produced from older trees that no longer produce latex.
This makes rubberwood a desirable alternative as a cheaper hardwood alternative.
It s easy to work with which makes it appealing to furniture makers.
Rubberwood is seen on a wide variety of mostly inexpensive asian imported furniture.
Wood from broad leafed trees that lose their leaves in winter such as oak ash cherry maple walnut and poplar is known as hardwood.
Conversely it can present difficulties in carving or detailing.
If you plan using rubberwood or better say hevea in europe you wouldn t sell anything.
Because rubberwood takes only 9 years to mature it can be grown faster than most woods that are considered real hardwoods.
The solid hardwoods and time tested craftsmanship used to build your furniture ensure premium quality luxury and durability.
Actually rubberwood is not considered good quality in the western markets ironically so because in fact it really is.
Avoid furniture made from non native wood species such as rubberwood mango acacia or sheesham more on that here in our blog on imported wood.
Rubberwood is commonly advertised as an environmentally friendly wood as it makes use of plantation trees that have already served a useful function.
It s often not used in fine furniture but rubberwood is a versatile type of furniture material with a light color.
The lumber has a dense coarse grain which makes it unsuitable for use in fine furniture but it is strong and cheap which makes it ideal for lower priced imported products.
Also known as asian hardwood or hevea brasiliensis rubberwood commonly used in furniture comes from the same tree in which latex is produced.
When sold in this capacity it is sometimes marketed under the ambiguous moniker plantation hardwood.
Don t be fooled by solid wood products labels it does not mean the same thing as solid wood.
How to shop for solid wood furniture.
While asian hardwood is native to brazil it is cultivated in a variety of tropical locations.
It is about the same density as ash or maple but is easier to work with.
Purchase hardwood species over softwood species.
You can relax knowing that both your new solid wood furniture pieces and the forests they came from will be around to enjoy for generations.
Rubberwood is not rubbery.