Rubberwood is a type of wood gaining popularity as consumers look for eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to traditional wood options.
Being an enthusiastic amateur carpenter, I’ve worked with most woods (including rubberwood), and I’m delighted that it’s starting to appeal to a broader audience.
But what is rubberwood? And it is really the eco-friendly super wood many are hailing it to be?
What are the best applications of rubberwood? What are its pros and cons?
I used my (literal!) hands-on experience with rubberwood and some serious deep-dive research to compile the ultimate guide to this new kid on the block!
Contents
Rubberwood is the wood from rubber trees. They can grow to 130ft and live for 100 years.
You can tap most rubber trees for latex between the ages of six and 30. Once rubber trees no longer produce latex, they’re often chopped down for their timber.
The timber is then kiln-dried in raw lumber form before being processed and used in furniture manufacture and other woodworking applications.
Rubberwood lumber is a relatively new wood on the scene, only becoming popular in the last few decades as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hardwoods.
The million-dollar question! And the answer is…it depends! Let me explain.
As rubberwood comes from felled trees, on the face of it, it would seem an eco-friendly option.
The tree is used for latex production until it can no longer produce latex, and then it’s felled and used for woodworking purposes.
So far, so good. But here’s the kicker. Most of the world’s rubberwood comes from Thailand. And Thailand has a bit of an iffy record regarding deforestation.
According to Global Forest Watch, “In 2010, Thailand had 19.1Mha of natural forest, extending over 37% of its land area. In 2021, it lost 122kha of natural forest, equivalent to 72.9Mt of CO₂ emissions.”
So, while rubberwood itself is eco-friendly, the way it’s sourced might not be.
The good news is that there are initiatives to address this issue, and more and more rubberwood is being sourced from sustainably managed plantations.
So, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, check where the wood is coming from before buying.
The easiest way to ensure that the rubberwood you buy has been sustainably sourced is to look out for well-known, respected, and independent third-party certifications, such as:
Rubberwood is a versatile wood with many applications.
It’s most commonly used in sustainable wood furniture manufacture but can also be used for:
Like all woods, rubber tree wood has its pros and cons. Here’s a quick overview:
Because rubberwood is primarily used in the furniture trade, I thought I’d dedicate a section to just that.
Rubberwood is popular in the furniture trade because it’s a low-cost, high-quality product.
It has desirable natural coloring (light blonde with brown streaks) that doesn’t fluctuate much between the heartwood and sapwood.
The heartwood is the innermost part of the tree. Heartwood is the denser, stronger part of the tree that provides support.
The sapwood is the outer layer of the tree. The primary purpose of sapwood is to transport water and nutrients from the roots to the branches and leaves.
Rubberwood is soft to the touch and easy to carve and shape.
This makes it a good choice for furniture that needs intricate details or curved shapes.
Maintain rubberwood furniture by following these simple tips
Buying old rubberwood furniture can be a great way to pick up some bargains.
However, you do need to make sure the old furniture is sealed correctly.
If in doubt, your best bet is to recoat. Do the best job possible, and your used rubberwood furniture will give you decades of faithful service:
While rubberwood takes stains and sealers well, it does take a long time to dry. Be patient, and do not apply another coat until you’re 100% sure the previous coat is fully dry.
The rubber tree industry uses various insecticides and fungicides to aid the growing process and reduce insect attacks.
Broad-spectrum insecticides control many insects, including mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches, and flies. Some common ones include:
Fungicides are used to control a wide range of fungi, including mildew and rust. Some common ones include:
However, the seasoning process burns off the vast amount of these chemicals, and rubber wood is classed as non-toxic (providing it’s not been coated in toxic stains or paints).
Rubberwood falls under the medium-density category and is part of the maple wood species. It’s not rubbery. It does not make rubber furniture.
The Janaka hardness rating system classifies rubberwood as 995 lbf (4,426 N), which is much harder than most softwoods and comparable with some hardwoods. European oak, for example, comes in at 1,010 lbf (4,500 N).
Engineered wood is smaller pieces of wood glued and compressed together. While this can add strength and anti-warping properties, it can also lead to issues with toxins in the glue. It would depend on the application, but I would almost always choose rubberwood over engineered wood or other wood full of glue.
No, rubberwood is not a veneer. A veneer is a thin layer of wood glued to another piece of wood. Veneers often cover up lower-quality wood or add a decorative element. Rubber wood furniture is a solid wood product.
Rubber wood is very absorbent and will rot quickly if left outside in the rain, so I would not recommend it for outdoor furniture.
So, there you have it…everything you need to know about rubberwood and rubber wood furniture!
I hope this has given you a better understanding of whether or not it’s the right choice for your next project or furniture purchase.
Rubberwood is an excellent choice for furniture because it’s strong, durable, and eco-friendly.
It also takes stains and sealers well, so you can easily customize your furniture to match your decor. It is also a good material for flooring and other solid wood applications.
Rubberwood is a great option if you want eco-friendly, sustainable wood. It has many advantages and only a few disadvantages.
Do you have any experience with rubberwood furniture? Or do you prefer traditional solid wood furniture? Or are you a fan of engineered wooden furniture? Drop me a line and let me know.
