Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood

Created at: 26 Jan, 2024

It is not easy to distinguish between rubber wood and oak wood which is better, has more advantages and is more popular, because everyone has a different opinion. Join OkelaWood to immediately find out the characteristics of these two types of wood.

1. Characteristics of Rubberwood and Oak

a. What is Rubberwood?

Rubberwood, scientifically known as Hevea brasiliensis, is a type of wood sourced from rubber trees with an age of over 20 years. These trees are commonly grown in Vietnam. Rubberwood belongs to group VII, categorized as light wood with with quite poor endurance and is susceptible to termites and decay in the past.

Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood - OkelaWood
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood – OkelaWood

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With modern technology today, rubberwood undergoes kiln-drying to prevent termite and pest infestations. It is cut into small rubberwood pieces and then reassembled into rubberwood composite, which provides better durability, beautiful wood grain patterns, and excellent moisture resistance, comparable to other types of wood.

b. What is Oak?

Oak wood, known scientifically as Quercus, is primarily imported from the United States and Europe. Oak wood also belongs to group VII, similar to rubberwood, and is considered a lightweight wood. Oak wood comes in two main varieties: White Oak and Red Oak.

Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood - OkelaWood
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood – OkelaWood

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Each variety has distinct characteristics. White Oak naturally possesses excellent resistance to moisture and pests, with a hardness of 6049N. It features straight grain patterns and longer wood fibers compared to Red Oak. On the other hand, Red Oak is harder, with a hardness of approximately 6538N. It has a red-toned heartwood and is denser, providing a sturdy feel. Red Oak has good resistance to twisting and bending but can warp when exposed to moisture.

2. Advantages of Rubber wood and Oak wood

a. Advantages of Rubber wood

  • The price is cheaper than other hardwoods
  • High durability, toughness, no termites or termites due to treatment
  • Suitable for kitchen, bedroom, office, floor, wall…
  • Being natural rubber wood, it is extremely water and moisture resistant
  • It is naturally grown wood, does not destroy the environment, and the supply is always stable
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood - OkelaWood
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood – OkelaWood

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b. Advantages of Oak wood

  • It is a light wood that can withstand the harshness of Vietnam’s tropical weather.
  • Smooth surface, straight grain, eye-catching bright wood.
  • Extremely good natural termite and termite resistance.
  • Oak wood that is 80 years old is perfectly resistant to deformation and warping, and has extremely beautiful wood grain
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood - OkelaWood
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood – OkelaWood

3. Comparison between Rubber wood and Oak wood

a. Application

In terms of application, both rubber wood and oak are used mainly in the furniture segment. The main interior applications of these two types of wood are: Making tables and chairs, stairs, altars, beds, kitchen cabinets, wall and floor tiles…

b. Aesthetics and durability

  • Oak wood: Bright color, diverse grain, belongs to group VII light wood so it is easy to screw and construct.
  • Rubber Wood: Light yellow color, grain is not as beautiful and diverse as oak wood. Because most rubber wood is wood grafted from many pieces of wood billet together, the wood grain is often not synchronized. Rubber wood is a light wood so it is also very easy to design interiors.
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood - OkelaWood
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood – OkelaWood

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c. Moth resistance and heaviness

  • Oak wood: White oak wood contains a lot of tannin essential oil, so it is extremely resistant to termites and termites. Wood is relatively light, easy to transport, very sturdy in the hand, and safe for users.
  • Rubber Wood: Natural wood so it is not resistant to termites and termites. However, after going through the drying process, the wood is resistant to termites. Natural wood should resist moisture and water quite well.

d. Price

In terms of price, Oak wood is probably much better. It is a type of wood imported mainly from the US and Europe. With beautiful wood grain as well as good termite resistance. Oak wood is very popular in interiors because of its bright color, beautiful grain, lightness, and ease of construction, so the price is higher than rubber wood.

Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood - OkelaWood
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood – OkelaWood

Meanwhile, rubber wood is a very popular type of wood grown in Vietnam. So it has a cheap price and is difficult to match with oak in both quality and heat.

4. Conclusion about Rubber wood and Oak wood

While rubberwood may not match oak in terms of quality and price, it has gained significant popularity. Thanks to advanced kiln-drying technology, rubberwood is now favored for its affordability. It is suitable for the majority of budget-conscious individuals, catering to their income levels. Additionally, rubberwood veneer boards with an oak finish are widely used, offering cost savings while mimicking oak up to 90%.

Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood - OkelaWood
Comparing Pros and Cons of Rubber wood vs. Oak wood – OkelaWood

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On the other hand, oak wood, with its beautiful grain patterns and high desirability, is suitable for households with higher incomes. It is used to create premium, elegant furniture, emphasizing modernity, and enhancing the modern style of interior spaces, whether in offices or homes.

Each type of wood has its advantages and appeals to different customer segments. We hope this OkelaWood article has partially answered your questions about rubberwood and oak. We wish you make the most suitable choice when purchasing wooden furniture.

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