There are many several types of wooden which might be 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 issues you must make earlier than selecting this as your wooden of alternative.
I’m not essentially saying that you simply 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 so as to aid you make the correct resolution in relation to selecting timber.
What Is Acacia?
Acacia is a kind of hardwood and it’s one of the 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 chopping out using unique woods like mahogany and rosewood. However if you happen to 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 challenge.
The Disadvantages Of Acacia Wooden
Whereas acacia is an especially fashionable alternative for woodworkers, there are some issues that you simply’ll want to think about. 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 making a decision, I’d urge you to consider the next.
It’s Comparatively Excessive Upkeep
All sorts of wooden require some kind of upkeep purely as a result of it’s a pure materials that may rapidly degrade if it isn’t taken care of. Whereas acacia is actually not the most demanding, there are points with the wooden’s means to retain its unique color. After a while, the wooden can begin wanting 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 drawback then you definitely’ll have to put in a bit of additional work. That includes sustaining the unique end of the wooden. In the event you’ve made the furnishings your self then stick to no matter end you initially used. In the event you’ve bought the furnishings, you’ll want to discover out the unique end so that you will be constant when caring for the wooden. Linseed oil is a standard alternative.
It’s Temperature Delicate
In the event you’re interested by shopping for acacia wooden then it’s essential to think about the place you’re going to position the piece of furnishings. Placing it subsequent to a warmth supply equivalent 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, if you happen to 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 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 essential cons about it’s that the design of the wooden will be unpredictable and inconsistent. In the event you’re making a bit of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you most likely gained’t be capable of obtain that with this sort of wooden.
It’s Heavy
You is perhaps asking why I’m saying that being heavy is a drawback for acacia. Nicely, in some methods, it’s an extremely constructive trait however it’s also one thing to think about. For instance, if you happen to’re in search of a bit of furnishings you can simply transfer round your own home or backyard then one thing with a whole lot 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 deliver it indoors rapidly ought to the climate take a flip for the worst. That mentioned, if you happen to 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 laborious. Once more, that may very well be an excellent factor and it makes it much more sturdy that different sorts of hardwood like maple or oak. Nevertheless, which means that the wooden is much more troublesome 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 essentially the most inexpensive wooden on the planet. I imply, in comparison with some sorts of unique wooden like rosewood, it’s loads cheaper and that’s due to how sustainable it’s. However while you examine the worth to native hardwoods, it’d make your eyes water. But it surely’s all about finances and the way a lot you’re pleased to spend.
It’s, in fact, attainable 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 worth so it’s value purchasing round to see what yow will discover.
So, Ought to I Trouble With Acacia Or Select One thing Else?
Having regarded on the disadvantages of acacia wooden, you can 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 is determined by what you’re in search of.
For instance, if you would like a light-weight wooden that’s tremendous simple 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 desires one thing heavy and strong. It’s all relative, as they are saying.
However if you happen to’re sitting on the fence, let me level out a number of causes that acacia would possibly 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 might final so long as 4 decades with out ever needing to be handled. However in fact, the circumstances must be spot on and normally, you will have to deal with it rather more incessantly 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 kind of wooden. In the event 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 need to begin a woodworking challenge and are contemplating acacia, let me inform you that this can be a good alternative for inexperienced persons. Whereas it’s an extremely laborious and resistant wooden, it’s additionally very pliable, particularly when it’s contemporary. So if you happen to’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. 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.
Ultimate Ideas
In the case of choosing the proper kind of wooden in your subsequent furnishings challenge or when shopping for prepared made furnishings, acacia could also be one thing you’ve thought-about. You might 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 a whole lot of good factors about acacia, as with something, there are a number of downsides that you must think about earlier than deciding on a call.
In the event you don’t desire a heavy wooden that requires a whole lot of upkeep, then acacia is probably not the correct alternative for you. Moreover, acacia can get fairly costly so if you happen to’re engaged on a strict finances, it could be higher to decide on one thing like oak or walnut.
