There are many various kinds of wooden which can be utilized in carpentry and furnishings making they usually all have their professionals 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 just shouldn’t use acacia however the disadvantages could be sufficient to place you off for any explicit venture.
Include me as we discover the disadvantages of acacia wooden to be able to allow you to make the precise choice with regards to selecting timber.
What Is Acacia?
Acacia is a sort of hardwood and it’s probably the most standard in furnishings making as a result of it’s really 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 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 various 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 following, there are slight variations which makes it simpler to seek out the proper kind of acacia in your venture.
The Disadvantages Of Acacia Wooden
Whereas acacia is a particularly standard selection for woodworkers, there are some issues that you just’ll want to think about. I wouldn’t say that these must be thought of a deal breaker however the disadvantages of this kind of wooden might make it unsuitable for some initiatives. So, earlier than making a decision, I’d urge you to consider the next.
It’s Comparatively Excessive Upkeep
All sorts 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 sorted. Whereas acacia is actually not the most demanding, there are points with the wooden’s means to retain its authentic 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 motive you can’t proceed permitting your wooden to vary color.
Nonetheless, if you wish to fight this downside then you definately’ll must put in a bit of additional work. That entails sustaining the unique end of the wooden. When you’ve made the furnishings your self then follow no matter end you initially used. When you’ve bought the furnishings, make sure to 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
When you’re fascinated with shopping for acacia wooden then you must 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 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 stated, for those who rotate your furnishings usually to make it possible for 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 will be unpredictable and inconsistent. When you’re making a chunk of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you in all probability gained’t be capable to obtain that with this kind of 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 constructive trait however additionally it is one thing to think about. For instance, for those who’re searching for a chunk of furnishings you could simply transfer round your house or backyard then one thing with lots of 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’ll carry it indoors rapidly ought to the climate take a flip for the worst. That stated, 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 exhausting. Once more, that may very well be factor and it makes it much more sturdy that different sorts of hardwood like maple or oak. Nonetheless, 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 price 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 essentially the most reasonably priced wooden on the planet. I imply, in comparison with some sorts of unique wooden like rosewood, it’s so much cheaper and that’s due to how sustainable it’s. However if you examine the worth to native hardwoods, it’d make your eyes water. However it’s all about finances and the way a lot you’re completely happy to spend.
It’s, in fact, doable 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 price buying round to see what you will discover.
So, Ought to I Hassle With Acacia Or Select One thing Else?
Having appeared on the disadvantages of acacia wooden, you would be forgiven for considering that it’s not price 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 searching for.
For instance, if you would like 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 sturdy. It’s all relative, as they are saying.
However for those who’re sitting on the fence, let me level out a couple of causes that acacia would possibly work nicely for you. For starters, that is an extremely resistant kind of wooden that’s very best 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 normally, you have to to deal with it far more ceaselessly than this.
As I discussed earlier, acacia may be very sturdy. Whereas it could be robust 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 sensible choice for furnishings is that this can be a naturally antibacterial kind of wooden. When you’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 want to begin a woodworking venture and are contemplating acacia, let me let you know that this can be a good selection for rookies. Whereas it’s an extremely exhausting and resistant wooden, it’s additionally very pliable, particularly when it’s contemporary. So for those who’re searching for one thing that’s going to be simple to work, it’s positively price 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 giant quantities are harvested, there are nonetheless tens of millions of bushes left over so there’s no issues over extinction.
Last Ideas
On the subject of choosing the proper kind of wooden in your subsequent furnishings venture 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 individuals to decide.
Nonetheless, whereas there are lots of good factors about acacia, as with something, there are a couple of downsides that it’s best to take into account earlier than deciding on a call.
When you don’t need a heavy wooden that requires lots of upkeep, then acacia might not be the precise selection for you. Moreover, acacia can get fairly costly so for those who’re engaged on a strict finances, it could be higher to decide on one thing like oak or walnut.