There are many various kinds of wooden which are utilized in carpentry and furnishings making they usually all have their execs and cons. Acacia is a well-liked alternative and whereas there are many nice issues about it, I’ve to level out that there are some concerns it is best to make earlier than selecting this as your wooden of alternative.
I’m not essentially saying that you just shouldn’t use acacia however the disadvantages could be sufficient to place you off for any specific challenge.
Include me as we discover the disadvantages of acacia wooden with a purpose to provide help to make the fitting resolution in the case of selecting timber.
What Is Acacia?
Acacia is a kind of hardwood and it’s one of the crucial fashionable in furnishings making as a result of it’s really the toughest kind of hardwood there may be. It’s extremely dense and pliable and the color is actually one thing to behold.
Lots of people are realising the significance of selecting sustainable woods and this implies reducing out the usage of unique woods like mahogany and rosewood. However for those who nonetheless need the identical properties whereas being eco-friendly then acacia is a superb 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 seek out the right kind of acacia to your challenge.
The Disadvantages Of Acacia Wooden
Whereas acacia is an especially fashionable alternative for woodworkers, there are some issues that you just’ll want to contemplate. I wouldn’t say that these ought to be thought-about a deal breaker however the disadvantages of one of these wooden may 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 type of upkeep purely as a result of it’s a pure materials that can rapidly degrade if it isn’t taken care of. Whereas acacia is actually not the most demanding, there are points with the wooden’s capability to retain its unique color. After a while, the wooden can begin trying gray and this isn’t one thing that everybody likes.
Some individuals don’t thoughts this aged impact and if that’s you then there’s no cause you can not proceed permitting your wooden to alter color.
Nevertheless, if you wish to fight this downside you then’ll must put in a bit of additional work. That entails sustaining the unique end of the wooden. In case you’ve made the furnishings your self then stick to no matter end you initially used. In case you’ve bought the furnishings, make sure to discover out the unique end so that you may be constant when caring for the wooden. Linseed oil is a standard alternative.
It’s Temperature Delicate
In case you’re eager about shopping for acacia wooden then you could think about the place you’re going to put the piece of furnishings. Placing it subsequent to a warmth supply akin 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 this can be 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 commonly to be sure 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 individuals. As with the greying of acacia wooden, some individuals 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 foremost cons about it’s that the design of the wooden may be unpredictable and inconsistent. In case you’re making a chunk of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you in all probability gained’t be capable of obtain that with one of these wooden.
It’s Heavy
You could be asking why I’m saying that being heavy is an obstacle 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 on the lookout for a chunk of furnishings that you would be able to simply transfer round your property or backyard then one thing with numerous weight isn’t going to be simple to shift.
Lots of people like picket out of doors furnishings however additionally they like to decide on a light-weight wooden in order that they will convey it indoors rapidly ought to the climate take a flip for the worst. That mentioned, 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 onerous. Once more, that might be a great factor and it makes it much more sturdy that different forms 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 all the good factors of acacia, it gained’t come as a lot of a shock that it isn’t essentially the most inexpensive wooden on the planet. I imply, in comparison with some forms of unique wooden like rosewood, it’s quite a bit cheaper and that’s due to how sustainable it’s. However while you evaluate the worth to native hardwoods, it’d make your eyes water. However it’s all about price range and the way a lot you’re glad to spend.
It’s, after all, attainable to get a greater deal on acacia wooden and acacia furnishings. Issues like your location, the minimize of the wooden and different issues will have an effect on the worth so it’s value purchasing round to see what yow will discover.
So, Ought to I Hassle With Acacia Or Select One thing Else?
Having regarded on the disadvantages of acacia wooden, you would be forgiven for pondering that it’s not value it. However I wouldn’t poo-poo the concept 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 could 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 a number of causes that acacia may work nicely for you. For starters, that is an extremely resistant kind of wooden that’s preferrred for out of doors use because it gained’t be simply broken by water.
I’ve examine research which have proven acacia may final so long as 4 many years with out ever needing to be handled. However after all, the situations must be spot on and normally, you will have to deal with it rather 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 feel makes acacia a extremely good selection for furnishings is that this can be a naturally antibacterial kind of wooden. In case you’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 challenge and are contemplating acacia, let me inform you that this can be a good alternative for newcomers. Whereas it’s an extremely onerous 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 timber left over so there’s no issues over extinction.
Ultimate Ideas
On the subject of choosing the proper kind of wooden to your subsequent furnishings challenge or when shopping for prepared made furnishings, acacia could also be one thing you’ve thought-about. You will have additionally heard about how sturdy and resistant this wooden is which is one thing that may push individuals to decide.
Nevertheless, whereas there are numerous good factors about acacia, as with something, there are a number of downsides that it is best to think about earlier than selecting a choice.
In case you don’t need a heavy wooden that requires numerous upkeep, then acacia will not be the fitting alternative 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.
