There are many various kinds of wooden which might 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 it’s best to make earlier than selecting this as your wooden of selection.
I’m not essentially saying that you simply shouldn’t use acacia however the disadvantages could be sufficient to place you off for any explicit undertaking.
Include me as we discover the disadvantages of acacia wooden as a way to make it easier to make the best choice in the case of selecting timber.
What Is Acacia?
Acacia is a kind of hardwood and it’s one of the crucial standard in furnishings making as a result of it’s truly the toughest kind of hardwood there’s. 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 slicing 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 various.
There are additionally many alternative species of acacia tree; greater than 1350 to be exact. Whereas the wooden from all of those species is simply as sturdy and enticing as the subsequent, there are slight variations which makes it simpler to search out the right kind of acacia in your undertaking.
The Disadvantages Of Acacia Wooden
Whereas acacia is a particularly standard selection for woodworkers, there are some issues that you simply’ll want to contemplate. I wouldn’t say that these ought to be thought of 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 varieties 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 sorted. Whereas acacia is definitely not probably the most demanding, there are points with the wooden’s means to retain its authentic color. After a while, the wooden can begin wanting 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 motive you can’t proceed permitting your wooden to vary color.
Nevertheless, if you wish to fight this drawback then you definately’ll must put in a bit of additional work. That includes sustaining the unique end of the wooden. If you happen to’ve made the furnishings your self then persist with no matter end you initially used. If you happen to’ve bought the furnishings, make sure to discover out the unique end so that you might be constant when caring for the wooden. Linseed oil is a typical selection.
It’s Temperature Delicate
If you happen to’re occupied with shopping for acacia wooden then you’ll want to take into account the place you’re going to position the piece of furnishings. Placing it subsequent to a warmth supply corresponding 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 mentioned, for those who rotate your furnishings often to ensure that no single half is being over uncovered to the warmth then it shouldn’t be an issue.
It Has Irregular Grain Construction
This can be 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 non-public opinion.
One of many important cons about it’s that the design of the wooden might be unpredictable and inconsistent. If you happen to’re making a bit of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you in all probability gained’t have the ability to obtain that with this sort of wooden.
It’s Heavy
You could be asking why I’m saying that being heavy is a drawback for acacia. Nicely, in some methods, it’s an extremely optimistic trait however it’s also one thing to contemplate. For instance, for those who’re in search of a bit of furnishings that you may simply transfer round your property or backyard then one thing with a variety of weight isn’t going to be simple to shift.
Lots of people like picket out of doors furnishings however in addition they like to decide on a light-weight wooden in order that they will convey it indoors shortly ought to the climate take a flip for the worst. That mentioned, for those who reside 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 laborious. Once more, that might be factor and it makes it much more sturdy that different varieties of hardwood like maple or oak. Nevertheless, because of this 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 gained’t come as a lot of a shock that it isn’t probably the most inexpensive wooden on the planet. I imply, in comparison with some varieties of unique wooden like rosewood, it’s loads cheaper and that’s due to how sustainable it’s. However once you examine the worth to native hardwoods, it would make your eyes water. But it surely’s all about price range and the way a lot you’re blissful to spend.
It’s, in fact, attainable to get a greater deal on acacia wooden and acacia furnishings. Issues like your location, the reduce of the wooden and different issues will have an effect on the worth so it’s value procuring round to see what you’ll find.
So, Ought to I Hassle With Acacia Or Select One thing Else?
Having appeared on the disadvantages of acacia wooden, you might be forgiven for pondering 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 relies on what you’re in search of.
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 could be thought of benefits by somebody who enjoys sustaining wooden and wishes one thing heavy and strong. It’s all relative, as they are saying.
However for those who’re sitting on the fence, let me level out a number of causes that acacia may work effectively for you. For starters, that is an extremely resistant kind of wooden that’s superb for out of doors use because it gained’t be simply broken by water.
I’ve examine research which have proven acacia might final so long as 4 a long time with out ever needing to be handled. However in fact, the situations must be spot on and typically, you will want to deal with it far more regularly than this.
As I discussed earlier, acacia may be very sturdy. Whereas it could be powerful to repair within the occasion that it will get scratched or broken, it’s extremely unlikely that it’ll ever maintain harm within the first place.
One thing else that I believe makes acacia a extremely good selection for furnishings is that it is a naturally antibacterial kind of wooden. If you happen to’re making a eating desk or even perhaps one thing like a chopping board, it’s excellent for meals prep and consuming.
For these of you that want to begin a woodworking undertaking and are contemplating acacia, let me inform you that it is a good selection for rookies. Whereas it’s an extremely laborious and resistant wooden, it’s additionally very pliable, particularly when it’s contemporary. So for those who’re in search of one thing that’s going to be simple to work, it’s undoubtedly value contemplating.
I discussed earlier that acacia is extraordinarily sustainable and that’s largely due to what number of species there are. This can be a very simply accessible wooden and even the place massive quantities are harvested, there are nonetheless thousands and thousands of bushes left over so there’s no issues over extinction.
Ultimate Ideas
With regards to choosing the proper kind of wooden in your subsequent furnishings undertaking or when shopping for prepared made furnishings, acacia could also be one thing you’ve thought of. You will 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 variety of good factors about acacia, as with something, there are a number of downsides that it’s best to take into account earlier than selecting a call.
If you happen to don’t desire a heavy wooden that requires a variety of upkeep, then acacia might not be the best selection for you. Moreover, acacia can get fairly costly so for those who’re engaged on a strict price range, it might be higher to decide on one thing like oak or walnut.
