There are many various kinds of wooden which can be utilized in carpentry and furnishings making they usually all have their execs 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 issues you need 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 is perhaps sufficient to place you off for any specific venture.
Include me as we discover the disadvantages of acacia wooden to be able to allow you to make the correct resolution with regards to selecting timber.
What Is Acacia?
Acacia is a sort of hardwood and it’s some of the well-liked in furnishings making as a result of it’s truly the toughest sort 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 chopping out the usage of unique woods like mahogany and rosewood. However in case you 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 following, there are slight variations which makes it simpler to search out the right sort of acacia in your venture.
The Disadvantages Of Acacia Wooden
Whereas acacia is a particularly well-liked selection for woodworkers, there are some issues that you just’ll want to think about. I wouldn’t say that these must be thought-about a deal breaker however the disadvantages of such a 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 forms of wooden require some type of upkeep purely as a result of it’s a pure materials that can shortly 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 authentic color. After a while, the wooden can begin trying gray and this isn’t one thing that everybody likes.
Some folks don’t thoughts this aged impact and if that’s you then there’s no cause you can’t proceed permitting your wooden to vary color.
Nevertheless, if you wish to fight this drawback you then’ll must put in a bit of additional work. That entails sustaining the unique end of the wooden. Should you’ve made the furnishings your self then follow no matter end you initially used. Should you’ve bought the furnishings, be sure you discover out the unique end so that you may be constant when caring for the wooden. Linseed oil is a standard selection.
It’s Temperature Delicate
Should you’re eager about shopping for acacia wooden then you might want to contemplate the place you’re going to position the piece of furnishings. Placing it subsequent to a warmth supply resembling 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 mentioned, in case you rotate your furnishings usually 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 folks. As with the greying of acacia wooden, some folks just like the irregular grain whereas others discover it to be a singular and spectacular attribute. It’s all down to private opinion.
One of many primary cons about it’s that the design of the wooden may be unpredictable and inconsistent. Should you’re making a chunk of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you in all probability gained’t have the ability to obtain that with such a 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 optimistic trait however it is usually one thing to think about. For instance, in case you’re in search of a chunk of furnishings which you can simply transfer round your private home or backyard then one thing with numerous weight isn’t going to be straightforward to shift.
Lots of people like picket outside furnishings however additionally they like to decide on a light-weight wooden in order that they’ll carry it indoors shortly ought to the climate take a flip for the worst. That mentioned, in case you dwell 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 arduous. Once more, that might be an excellent factor and it makes it much more sturdy that different forms 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 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 so much 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 funds and the way a lot you’re completely satisfied to spend.
It’s, after all, 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 value procuring round to see what you could find.
So, Ought to I Hassle With Acacia Or Select One thing Else?
Having regarded on the disadvantages of acacia wooden, you may 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 sensible as a furnishings wooden and it actually relies on what you’re in search of.
For instance, if you need a light-weight wooden that’s tremendous straightforward to look after then acacia in all probability isn’t for you. However these cons is perhaps 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 in case you’re sitting on the fence, let me level out just a few causes that acacia would possibly work properly for you. For starters, that is an extremely resistant sort of wooden that’s ultimate for outside 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 after all, the circumstances should be spot on and normally, you’ll need to deal with it way more incessantly than this.
As I discussed earlier, acacia could be very sturdy. Whereas it is perhaps 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 feel makes acacia a very sensible choice for furnishings is that this can be a naturally antibacterial sort of wooden. Should you’re making a eating desk or even perhaps one thing like a chopping board, it’s good for meals prep and consuming.
For these of you that want to begin a woodworking venture and are contemplating acacia, let me inform you that this can be a sensible selection for freshmen. Whereas it’s an extremely arduous and resistant wooden, it’s additionally very pliable, particularly when it’s recent. So in case you’re in search of one thing that’s going to be straightforward 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 thousands and thousands of bushes left over so there’s no considerations over extinction.
Ultimate Ideas
Relating to selecting the best sort of wooden in your subsequent furnishings venture or when shopping for prepared made furnishings, acacia could also be one thing you’ve thought-about. You could have additionally heard about how sturdy and resistant this wooden is which is one thing that may push folks to decide.
Nevertheless, whereas there are numerous good factors about acacia, as with something, there are just a few downsides that you need to contemplate earlier than deciding on a call.
Should you don’t need a heavy wooden that requires numerous upkeep, then acacia will not be the correct selection for you. Moreover, acacia can get fairly costly so in case you’re engaged on a strict funds, it could be higher to decide on one thing like oak or walnut.
