Natural wood is a type of wood commonly used in interior products and preferred by many customers due to its numerous outstanding advantages. To gain a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of natural wood, as well as different types of natural wood, please follow the article below.
1. What is Natural Wood?
Natural wood refers to wood directly harvested from natural forests or cultivated forests for timber, resin, essential oils, or fruit from solid tree trunks. Natural wood is used in furniture production without undergoing any other wood processing stages. Consequently, natural wood is considered a popular material in the field of industrial wood bedroom furniture. However, the price of natural wood is significantly higher than that of industrial wood.
2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural Wood
Both natural wood and industrial wood have their own advantages and disadvantages. For the natural wood category, there are advantages and disadvantages as follows:
a. Advantages of Natural Wood
- Sturdy and solid.
- Comes in a variety of colors.
- Possesses attractive wood grain patterns.
- Natural wood can be processed and produced in various designs and shapes that industrial wood cannot replicate.
- Natural wood exhibits high durability when exposed to water; interior products made from natural wood are impervious to water, do not expand or deform when in contact with water if properly processed and dried.
- Wood is tough and has a strong bond, allowing it to withstand strong impacts and being easily molded.
b. Disadvantages of Natural Wood
- Furniture products made from natural wood are mostly handmade, not mass-produced like industrial wood, resulting in a higher price.
- Over the time, natural wood is susceptible to warping, cracking, and shrinking if not adequately dried before being used in furniture production. Additionally, skilled craftsmanship is necessary during manufacturing.
3. Common Types of Natural Wood Used in Furniture
A variety of natural wood types exist worldwide. Among those chosen for interior products are the following:
a. Rubberwood
Rubberwood is a type of natural wood harvested from the rubber tree. This wood typically has a light color, natural grain pattern, and is used in various furniture and construction applications.
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Advantages:
- Durability: Rubberwood has high durability and excellent resistance to termite attacks.
- Ease of Crafting: Rubberwood is easy to work with, making it suitable for various woodworking and construction projects.
- Natural Beauty: The warm color and natural grain of rubberwood contribute to its natural beauty, enhancing interior aesthetics.
- Aesthetic Options: Rubberwood readily accepts a variety of finishes, providing diverse aesthetic choices for final products.
Disadvantages:
- Color and Shape Changes: Rubberwood can undergo color and shape changes over time due to environmental conditions.
- Limited Sizes: Rubberwood’s size options may be limited compared to other wood types, which might be a constraint for certain large-scale applications.
b. Acacia Wood
Acacia wood is a type of natural wood harvested from the acacia tree. It comes in diverse colors and grain patterns, known for its high durability and resistance to termite damage. Acacia wood is commonly used in furniture and woodworking.
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Advantages:
- Color Diversity: Acacia wood boasts a wide range of natural colors, from light to dark shades, enhancing its visual appeal.
- Durability: Acacia wood is highly durable, resistant to cracking, warping, and deformation.
- Termite Resistance: Acacia wood exhibits excellent termite resistance, extending the lifespan of products.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The natural grain patterns and diverse color variations of acacia wood contribute to its aesthetic appeal.
Disadvantages:
- Workability: Acacia wood can be challenging to work with due to its varying hardness and workability characteristics during processing.
- Cost: Acacia wood might carry a higher price tag compared to some other wood types due to its unique characteristics.
c. Cherry Wood
Cherry wood is directly harvested from cherry trees. When cut, the wood exhibits a reddish-pink hue that darkens with the tree’s age. The wood is fairly hard, features a smooth grain, maintains a mountain-like shape, and stacks beautifully. This type of wood is widely used in designing and producing interior and housing products such as beds, kitchen decorations, and dining tables.
Advantages:
- The wood’s durability and stability are quite high. Moreover, the wood is thoroughly dried, rendering it resistant to cracking, warping, shrinking, and termite infestations over an extended period.
- The wood’s natural red and pink color enhances the appearance of interior products.
- Furniture crafted from cherry wood is affordable and suitable for the budgets and needs of many households.
Disadvantages:
- Without thorough drying, the wood can warp, shrink, and become susceptible to termite attacks.
- Cherry wood’s natural red hue makes it unsuitable for painting other colors like yellow. Therefore, for apartment dwellers, cherry wood furniture might not be the ideal choice.
d. Walnut Wood
Walnut wood is known as one of the premium wood varieties. It is cultivated in various countries, with North America being a key producer of high-quality walnut wood.
Advantages:
- Walnut wood imported to Vietnam is properly dried and treated using advanced European technology to prevent cracking, warping, shrinking, and termite infestations.
- Harvested from mature trees, walnut wood is hard, solid, heat-resistant, can bear weight well, and can be easily steam-bent.
- The wood exhibits soft, natural grain patterns that often appear in waves or swirls, creating unique, beautiful, and highly luxurious patterns.
Disadvantages:
- Products made from walnut wood are relatively expensive due to the cost of sawing, drying, and importing, ranging from 80 to 100 million VND/m3.
e. Oak wood
Oak wood is a natural wood variety originating from Russia, imported to Vietnam for furniture production. Notable for its bright color and beautiful wood grain pattern.
Advantages:
- Natural bright color, allowing for various color options through painting.
- Consistent and attractive wood grain pattern.
- Flexibility for steam bending.
- High strength and good adhesion.
- Oily nature contributes to termite resistance.
- Sustains quality after prolonged use.
- Affordable pricing suitable for various household budgets.
- Wood surfaces can feature intricate patterns.
Disadvantages:
- Oak wood requires extended drying.
- Prone to warping when exposed to rapid and irregular environmental changes.
- Incorrect wood processing may lead to deformation after use.
- Oak wood exhibits above-average expansion in high humidity or submerged conditions.
More products provided by OkelaWood
OkelaWood offers a diverse range of top-quality natural wood options, with a special emphasis on two prominent varieties: rubber wood and acacia wood. Our commitment to excellence ensures that our customers have access to the finest materials for their furniture and interior needs.
Rubber wood, known for its durability and resistance to pests, provides a reliable and sustainable choice for crafting exquisite pieces. Acacia wood, on the other hand, is renowned for its unique grain patterns, sturdiness, and versatility, making it an ideal option for creating both functional and aesthetically pleasing furnishings. OkelaWood are dedicated to providing you with the finest selections of these natural wood types, ensuring that your furniture is not only durable but also imbued with the warmth and authenticity that only natural wood can bring.
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