There are many several types 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 it’s best to make earlier than selecting this as your wooden of selection.
I’m not essentially saying that you simply shouldn’t use acacia however the disadvantages could be sufficient to place you off for any explicit venture.
Include me as we discover the disadvantages of acacia wooden with a purpose to aid you make the precise resolution in the case of selecting timber.
What Is Acacia?
Acacia is a sort of hardwood and it’s one of the widespread in furnishings making as a result of it’s really the toughest kind 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 slicing 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 subsequent, there are slight variations which makes it simpler to seek out the right kind of acacia to your venture.
The Disadvantages Of Acacia Wooden
Whereas acacia is a particularly widespread selection for woodworkers, there are some issues that you simply’ll want to contemplate. I wouldn’t say that these needs to be thought of a deal breaker however the disadvantages of any such wooden may make it unsuitable for some tasks. So, earlier than you decide, I’d urge you to consider the next.
It’s Comparatively Excessive Upkeep
All kinds of wooden require some type of upkeep purely as a result of it’s a pure materials that may rapidly degrade if it isn’t sorted. 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 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 purpose you can not proceed permitting your wooden to alter color.
Nonetheless, if you wish to fight this downside you then’ll must put in a bit of additional work. That includes sustaining the unique end of the wooden. If you happen to’ve made the furnishings your self then stick to no matter end you initially used. If you happen to’ve bought the furnishings, make sure to discover out the unique end so that you will be constant when caring for the wooden. Linseed oil is a typical selection.
It’s Temperature Delicate
If you happen to’re occupied with shopping for acacia wooden then you must contemplate the place you’re going to put the piece of furnishings. Placing it subsequent to a warmth supply reminiscent of a patio heater, wooden burning range, hearth 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, in case you rotate your furnishings repeatedly to ensure 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 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 non-public opinion.
One of many principal cons about it’s that the design of the wooden will be unpredictable and inconsistent. If you happen to’re making a bit of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you most likely received’t be capable of obtain that with any such wooden.
It’s Heavy
You could be asking why I’m saying that being heavy is an obstacle for acacia. Effectively, in some methods, it’s an extremely constructive trait however additionally it is one thing to contemplate. For instance, in case you’re in search of a bit of furnishings that you may simply transfer round your own home or backyard then one thing with a variety of weight isn’t going to be straightforward to shift.
Lots of people like wood outside furnishings however in addition they like to decide on a light-weight wooden in order that they’ll deliver it indoors rapidly ought to the climate take a flip for the worst. That mentioned, in case you reside 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 exhausting. Once more, that could possibly be a superb factor and it makes it much more sturdy that different kinds of hardwood like maple or oak. Nonetheless, because of this the wooden is much more tough and time consuming to repair if it ever will get scratched. The chances are low due to the sturdiness however it’s price contemplating.
It Doesn’t Come Low-cost
With the entire good factors of acacia, it received’t come as a lot of a shock that it isn’t probably the most reasonably priced wooden on the planet. I imply, in comparison with some kinds of unique wooden like rosewood, it’s rather a lot cheaper and that’s due to how sustainable it’s. However whenever you evaluate the worth to native hardwoods, it would make your eyes water. Nevertheless it’s all about finances and the way a lot you’re completely happy to spend.
It’s, in fact, 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 price 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 might be forgiven for pondering that it’s not price 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 most likely isn’t for you. However these cons could be thought of 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 a couple of causes that acacia would possibly work properly for you. For starters, that is an extremely resistant kind of wooden that’s preferrred for outside use because it received’t be simply broken by water.
I’ve examine research which have proven acacia may final so long as 4 many years with out ever needing to be handled. However in fact, the circumstances should be spot on and generally, you have to to deal with it rather more continuously than this.
As I discussed earlier, acacia may be very sturdy. Whereas it could be 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 believe makes acacia a very good selection for furnishings is that this can be a naturally antibacterial kind of wooden. If you happen to’re making a eating desk or maybe even 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 newcomers. Whereas it’s an extremely exhausting 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 positively price 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 issues over extinction.
Closing Ideas
With regards to selecting the best kind of wooden to your subsequent furnishings venture or when shopping for prepared made furnishings, acacia could also be one thing you’ve thought of. You will have additionally heard about how sturdy and resistant this wooden is which is one thing that may push folks to decide.
Nonetheless, whereas there are a variety of good factors about acacia, as with something, there are a couple of downsides that it’s best to contemplate earlier than deciding on a call.
If you happen to don’t need a heavy wooden that requires a variety of upkeep, then acacia might not be the precise selection for you. Moreover, acacia can get fairly costly so in case you’re engaged on a strict finances, it could be higher to decide on one thing like oak or walnut.
