There are many several types of wooden which can be utilized in carpentry and furnishings making and so they all have their execs and cons. Acacia is a well-liked selection and whereas there are many nice issues about it, I’ve to level out that there are some concerns you must make earlier than selecting this as your wooden of selection.
I’m not essentially saying that you just shouldn’t use acacia however the disadvantages may be sufficient to place you off for any explicit mission.
Include me as we discover the disadvantages of acacia wooden as a way to allow you to make the suitable determination in relation to selecting timber.
What Is Acacia?
Acacia is a sort of hardwood and it’s probably the most common in furnishings making as a result of it’s truly the toughest kind of hardwood there may be. It’s extremely dense and pliable and the color is really one thing to behold.
Lots of people are realising the significance of selecting sustainable woods and this implies chopping out using unique woods like mahogany and rosewood. However for those who nonetheless need the identical properties whereas being eco-friendly then acacia is an excellent different.
There are additionally many various species of acacia tree; greater than 1350 to be exact. Whereas the wooden from all of those species is simply as sturdy and engaging as the following, there are slight variations which makes it simpler to search out the proper kind of acacia to your mission.
The Disadvantages Of Acacia Wooden
Whereas acacia is an especially common selection for woodworkers, there are some issues that you just’ll want to contemplate. I wouldn’t say that these needs to be thought-about a deal breaker however the disadvantages of this sort of wooden might make it unsuitable for some initiatives. So, earlier than you decide, I’d urge you to consider the next.
It’s Comparatively Excessive Upkeep
All forms of wooden require some kind of upkeep purely as a result of it’s a pure materials that can shortly degrade if it isn’t taken care of. Whereas acacia is definitely not the most demanding, there are points with the wooden’s potential to retain its unique color. After a while, the wooden can begin trying gray and this isn’t one thing that everybody likes.
Some folks don’t thoughts this aged impact and if that’s you then there’s no purpose you can not proceed permitting your wooden to vary color.
Nevertheless, if you wish to fight this downside you then’ll must put in a bit of additional work. That includes sustaining the unique end of the wooden. For those who’ve made the furnishings your self then persist with no matter end you initially used. For those who’ve bought the furnishings, you should definitely discover out the unique end so that you will be constant when caring for the wooden. Linseed oil is a typical selection.
It’s Temperature Delicate
For those who’re fascinated about shopping for acacia wooden then that you must take into account the place you’re going to position the piece of furnishings. Placing it subsequent to a warmth supply comparable to a patio heater, wooden burning range, fire and even in direct daylight can actually upset the wooden and it’ll start to crack.
Whereas it is a very sturdy kind of wooden, acacia has fibres that face each other and this tends to make it fairly brittle.
That stated, for those who rotate your furnishings often to guarantee that no single half is being over uncovered to the warmth then it shouldn’t be an issue.
It Has Irregular Grain Construction
It is a drawback that can divide folks. As with the greying of acacia wooden, some folks just like the irregular grain whereas others discover it to be a singular and spectacular attribute. It’s all down to private opinion.
One of many fundamental cons about it’s that the design of the wooden will be unpredictable and inconsistent. For those who’re making a chunk of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you in all probability received’t be capable of obtain that with this sort of wooden.
It’s Heavy
You may be asking why I’m saying that being heavy is a drawback for acacia. Properly, in some methods, it’s an extremely optimistic trait however additionally it is one thing to contemplate. For instance, for those who’re on the lookout for a chunk of furnishings which you can simply transfer round your private home or backyard then one thing with a number of weight isn’t going to be simple to shift.
Lots of people like picket outside furnishings however additionally they like to decide on a light-weight wooden in order that they’ll deliver it indoors shortly ought to the climate take a flip for the worst. That stated, for those who stay in a windy space, you’re going to need one thing heavier so it doesn’t blow across the backyard.
In addition to being heavy, acacia is extraordinarily dense and arduous. Once more, that could possibly be a superb factor and it makes it much more sturdy that different forms of hardwood like maple or oak. Nevertheless, which means that the wooden is much more tough and time consuming to repair if it ever will get scratched. The chances are low due to the sturdiness however it’s value contemplating.
It Doesn’t Come Low cost
With the entire good factors of acacia, it received’t come as a lot of a shock that it isn’t essentially the most reasonably priced wooden on the planet. I imply, in comparison with some forms of unique wooden like rosewood, it’s rather a lot cheaper and that’s due to how sustainable it’s. However whenever you examine the value to native hardwoods, it’d make your eyes water. Nevertheless it’s all about price range and the way a lot you’re comfortable to spend.
It’s, after all, doable to get a greater deal on acacia wooden and acacia furnishings. Issues like your location, the lower of the wooden and different issues will have an effect on the value so it’s value buying round to see what you’ll find.
So, Ought to I Trouble With Acacia Or Select One thing Else?
Having seemed on the disadvantages of acacia wooden, you may be forgiven for considering that it’s not value it. However I wouldn’t poo-poo the thought simply but. There are a ton of causes that acacia is good as a furnishings wooden and it actually will depend on what you’re on the lookout for.
For instance, if you need a light-weight wooden that’s tremendous simple to take care of then acacia in all probability isn’t for you. However these cons may be thought-about benefits by somebody who enjoys sustaining wooden and desires one thing heavy and sturdy. It’s all relative, as they are saying.
However for those who’re sitting on the fence, let me level out just a few causes that acacia may work effectively for you. For starters, that is an extremely resistant kind of wooden that’s best for outside use because it received’t be simply broken by water.
I’ve examine research which have proven acacia might final so long as 4 many years with out ever needing to be handled. However after all, the circumstances should be spot on and normally, you’ll need to deal with it way more regularly than this.
As I discussed earlier, acacia could be very sturdy. Whereas it may be robust to repair within the occasion that it will get scratched or broken, it’s extremely unlikely that it’ll ever maintain injury within the first place.
One thing else that I believe makes acacia a very sensible choice for furnishings is that it is a naturally antibacterial kind of wooden. For those who’re making a eating desk or maybe even one thing like a chopping board, it’s excellent for meals prep and consuming.
For these of you that need to begin a woodworking mission and are contemplating acacia, let me inform you that it is a good selection for learners. Whereas it’s an extremely arduous and resistant wooden, it’s additionally very pliable, particularly when it’s recent. So for those who’re on the lookout for one thing that’s going to be simple to work, it’s positively value contemplating.
I discussed earlier that acacia is extraordinarily sustainable and that’s largely due to what number of species there are. It is a very simply accessible wooden and even the place massive quantities are harvested, there are nonetheless hundreds of thousands of bushes left over so there’s no issues over extinction.
Closing Ideas
Relating to selecting the best kind of wooden to your subsequent furnishings mission or when shopping for prepared made furnishings, acacia could also be one thing you’ve thought-about. You’ll have additionally heard about how sturdy and resistant this wooden is which is one thing that may push folks to decide.
Nevertheless, whereas there are a number of good factors about acacia, as with something, there are just a few downsides that you must take into account earlier than selecting a call.
For those who don’t desire a heavy wooden that requires a number of upkeep, then acacia is probably not the suitable selection for you. Moreover, acacia can get fairly costly so for those who’re engaged on a strict price range, it could be higher to decide on one thing like oak or walnut.