There are many disadvantages of acacia wood. The tree that it is made out of is fast becoming endangered in the forest. It is threatened by encroaching palms, which grow into large and thick clumps. If the palm tree is not thinned out soon, or if enough people cut down its number, then by the year 2021, only one percent of the acacias left on the land were actually acacias. These palm trees have spread over a large area of the Amazon forest, threatening to wipe out the entire forest. Luckily, there are some good things about this wood.
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Disadvantages of Acacia Wood
Wood from acacias is a softwood, so it’s not at all difficult to work with. Acacias make very strong, durable furniture and they can be finished with different types of stain. Because of its resistance to moisture and insects, acacia wood makes the best material for outdoor furniture. It does not warp like teak, so it’s an excellent material for outdoor furniture.
Expensive
One disadvantage of acacia wood cutting boards is that they are too expensive. A single board can cost as much as three or four times more than ordinary engineered wood boards. But this cost difference is not always a bad thing. Engineered woods have to be treated with preservatives to make them resistant to moisture and insects. This treatment also makes them stronger and more resistant to the weather. Engineered wood, in turn, requires less wood in the lumber than traditional lumber does.
Low Life Span
Another disadvantage of acacia wood is that it doesn’t last long. As the tree grows, new shoots replace it quickly, making it necessary to replant often. This quick replacement method of growing trees can quickly deplete the quality of the wood. This can be especially true of young acacias growing in Southern climates where the soil is extremely sandy. As the tree matures, the wood becomes more weak and brittle and can break easily. If this happens to your outdoor furniture, it will probably no longer be durable and comfortable.
Some manufacturers have solved these problems by using synthetic resized woods instead of real acacias. Resin boards are made from recycled materials, so it’s not harmful to the environment. Resin boards are often seen in backyard furniture stores and come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, including those suitable for table tops. If you’re concerned about durability, you’ll probably prefer a folding knife over a cutting board set.
Contain Thiotene
One other drawback of acacia furniture is that it’s not known for its great wood durability. The reason why the wood is so slow to develop is that the bark contains a natural pesticide called “thiotene”. When this chemical gets into the wood, it inhibits the growth process and causes the wood to become weaker and more vulnerable to cracking and breaking. However, this chemical isn’t found in all acacias. And because the tree grows more slowly than other types of trees, the newer ones may contain more of it.
Not Long Lasting- Disadvantages of Acacia Wood
If you need long lasting, strong wood furniture, this isn’t the type of wood to choose. American hardwoods such as oak and maple are much stronger and less susceptible to pests and decay. If you want something durable, try maple or oak, rather than acacia wood. But even though it’s a popular choice for indoor furniture, it’s not the best choice for outdoor furniture. Cedar and cypress are better choices.
Small Grain
One big disadvantage of acacia wood compared to other types of hardwoods is the fact that it has a very small “grain”. This grain is actually not a grain at all, but a microscopic pattern that occur because the tree grows at an extremely fast rate. The tiny grains make the wood heavier than it looks, which can be a problem when trying to get furniture pieces to stay together. Try getting heavier furniture in lighter colored woods.
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