Rubberwood: Exploring Its Versatility

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Have you heard about the term ‘rubberwood’ and wondered what it means? In the world of woodworking and furniture production, this specific type of timber holds a prominent place. This blog post aims to demystify rubberwood and provide answers to some frequently asked questions.

A Closer Look at This Timber

People also know this material as plantation hardwood, parawood, or “Hevea,” and it comes from the Hevea brasiliensis tree. Despite what its name suggests, it is indeed ‘wood,’ known for its light hue, robustness, and sustainability.

Rows of rubber trees in plantation. — The rubber trees look neat and orderly, forming rows that make up the expansive landscape of the plantation.

Does It Offer Good Quality?

This timber impresses with its exceptional quality. Its dense grain allows for easy control during the kiln drying process, preventing shrinkage and warping. This feature enhances its remarkable strength and stability, making it an ideal choice for furniture production. In essence, It exhibits comparable durability to other hardwoods.

What About Its Cost?

Many consider it a cost-effective alternative to other hardwoods. Its affordability stems from sustainable sourcing rather than compromising quality. Harvesters collect this timber from mature trees that have stopped producing latex, exemplifying excellent resource efficiency. While not considered ‘cheap,’ it is certainly an affordable and cost-effective option.

The Difference Between This Timber and MDF

Furniture manufacturing employs two distinct materials: this type of wood and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). Unlike MDF, which is an engineered wood product made from wood fibers, rubberwood is a natural solid wood material. As a result, the two differ significantly.

Rubberwood or parawood planks background and texture — The texture of this rubber wood or parawood board shows a beautiful and unique wood grain pattern. The grain of this wood provides an attractive aesthetic characteristic, with the lines formed by tightly woven wood fibers.

Both materials offer unique advantages. MDF provides uniformity, resistance to warping, and often a lower price point. However, when it comes to longevity and aesthetic appeal, real wood is often favored. Rubberwood, with its strength, durability, and natural beauty, is often preferred over MDF.

Close-up of fiberboard panels in a furniture factory. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) used in carpentry industry and furniture assembly. — Fiberboard in a furniture factory. Boards in factory close-up. Fragment of wood panels made of fiberboard in workshop. Medium Density Fiberboard MDF . Carpentry industry and furniture assembly concept.

Is It Considered Hardwood?

This timber falls into the hardwood category, not because of its density, but due to its deciduous nature. While not as hard as traditional hardwoods, it strikes a balance between strength and workability, making it suitable for a range of applications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this timber proves to be a versatile, high-quality, and economical material. Its unique characteristics make it an excellent choice for many applications, including the creation of beautiful wooden products like those available on Ratimdo, such as our FJLB.

We hope this blog post has clarified your questions about this specific type of timber. If you want to explore its potential for your next project, we invite you to check out our collection of products made from this exceptional wood.