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 alternative and whereas there are many nice issues about it, I’ve to level out that there are some concerns you need 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 is perhaps sufficient to place you off for any specific challenge.
Include me as we discover the disadvantages of acacia wooden with the intention to assist you make the precise resolution relating to selecting timber.
What Is Acacia?
Acacia is a sort of hardwood and it’s one of the vital fashionable in furnishings making as a result of it’s truly the toughest sort 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 in case you nonetheless need the identical properties whereas being eco-friendly then acacia is a superb different.
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 engaging as the subsequent, there are slight variations which makes it simpler to search out the right sort of acacia to your challenge.
The Disadvantages Of Acacia Wooden
Whereas acacia is a particularly fashionable alternative for woodworkers, there are some issues that you just’ll want to think about. I wouldn’t say that these ought to be thought-about a deal breaker however the disadvantages of one of these wooden might make it unsuitable for some tasks. So, earlier than making a decision, I’d urge you to consider the next.
It’s Comparatively Excessive Upkeep
All varieties of wooden require some form of upkeep purely as a result of it’s a pure materials that may rapidly degrade if it isn’t sorted. Whereas acacia is actually not the most demanding, there are points with the wooden’s capability 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 not proceed permitting your wooden to alter color.
Nevertheless, if you wish to fight this drawback then you definitely’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 keep on with no matter end you initially used. If you happen to’ve bought the furnishings, you’ll want to discover out the unique end so that you could be constant when caring for the wooden. Linseed oil is a typical alternative.
It’s Temperature Delicate
If you happen to’re excited about shopping for acacia wooden then you’ll want to think about the place you’re going to put 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 this can be a very sturdy sort of wooden, acacia has fibres that face each other and this tends to make it fairly brittle.
That stated, in case you rotate your furnishings recurrently 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
It is a drawback that may divide individuals. As with the greying of acacia wooden, some individuals just like the irregular grain whereas others discover it to be a novel and spectacular attribute. It’s all down to private opinion.
One of many primary cons about it’s that the design of the wooden could be unpredictable and inconsistent. If you happen to’re making a chunk of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you most likely received’t be capable of obtain that with one of these wooden.
It’s Heavy
You is perhaps asking why I’m saying that being heavy is an obstacle for acacia. Effectively, in some methods, it’s an extremely constructive trait however additionally it is one thing to think about. For instance, in case you’re on the lookout for a chunk of furnishings which you can simply transfer round your private home or backyard then one thing with lots of weight isn’t going to be straightforward 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’ll carry it indoors rapidly ought to the climate take a flip for the worst. That stated, in case you 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 could possibly be an excellent 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 received’t come as a lot of a shock that it isn’t probably the most reasonably priced wooden on the planet. I imply, in comparison with some varieties of unique wooden like rosewood, it’s so much cheaper and that’s due to how sustainable it’s. However whenever you examine the worth to native hardwoods, it would make your eyes water. Nevertheless it’s all about finances and the way a lot you’re comfortable to spend.
It’s, in fact, potential 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 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 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 on the lookout for.
For instance, if you’d like a light-weight wooden that’s tremendous straightforward to look after then acacia most likely isn’t for you. However these cons is perhaps thought-about benefits by somebody who enjoys sustaining wooden and wishes one thing heavy and sturdy. It’s all relative, as they are saying.
However in case you’re sitting on the fence, let me level out a number of causes that acacia may work properly for you. For starters, that is an extremely resistant sort of wooden that’s ultimate for out of doors use because it received’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 circumstances must be spot on and generally, you will have to deal with it far more often than this.
As I discussed earlier, acacia could be very sturdy. Whereas it is perhaps 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 sensible choice for furnishings is that this can be a naturally antibacterial sort 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 wish to begin a woodworking challenge and are contemplating acacia, let me inform you that this can be a good alternative for rookies. Whereas it’s an extremely laborious and resistant wooden, it’s additionally very pliable, particularly when it’s contemporary. So in case you’re on the lookout for one thing that’s going to be straightforward 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 tens of millions of timber left over so there’s no considerations over extinction.
Last Ideas
Relating to selecting the best sort 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 lots of good factors about acacia, as with something, there are a number of downsides that you need to think about earlier than deciding on a choice.
If you happen to don’t need a heavy wooden that requires lots of upkeep, then acacia might not be the precise alternative for you. Moreover, acacia can get fairly costly so in case you’re engaged on a strict finances, it might be higher to decide on one thing like oak or walnut.