The Pros and Cons of Using Rubberwood for Furniture

Published May 27, 2024

Is rubberwood good for furniture? With thousands of Google searches for that question every month, you’re not the only one wondering about its viability.

The short answer is it depends.

While most people think rubberwood is an elastic wood hybrid, it isn’t quite that. Rubberwood is actually a medium-density hardwood produced by harvesting the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Most of these trees grow in parts of Asia, Africa, and South America. Pará rubber trees are cultivated for their latex and, at the end of their useful life, harvested to become rubberwood lumber. Because of that, rubberwood is considered an “environmentally friendly” wood.

But how does it fare against other types of wood as a furniture material? Is it worth spending money on rubberwood items? Let’s look at the pros and cons of using rubberwood for furniture. 

What is Rubberwood?

Rubberwood is a type of wood that comes from the rubber tree. It is known for being durable and robust, making it a popular choice for furniture and flooring. One interesting thing about rubberwood is that it is an eco-friendly option because it is made from trees that have already served their purpose in producing rubber.

It has a light color, similar to beech wood, and is easy to work with, allowing various finishes and styles. Rubberwood is also resistant to warping and cracking, making it a practical choice for everyday use.

Pros Of Using Rubberwood For Furniture

Sustainability

According to WWF, approximately 10% of the world’s forests get cut down yearly to become fast-wood forests. Cutting down more trees than the rate they’re growing can have a severely negative impact on the environment. It can lead to soil erosions, landslides, and floods. Additionally, it can also hasten the effects of global warming. Harvesting rubberwood can reduce those effects since you’re using trees that would have otherwise been burned.

Durable

Contrary to most Western beliefs, rubberwood is less flexible than you think. It’s quite a durable hardwood belonging to the maple family. Its strength is about 9500 psi, stiffness of 1.3 million PSI, and hardness of 500 pounds.

Cost-effective

Since rubberwood is often considered a byproduct, it sells for lower prices than most wood. Some people think rubberwood is not a durable product, so they opt for other timber like oak, maple, or cherry.

Ideal for furniture

Processed rubberwood is very stable, with shrinkage and cracking kept to a minimum, making it great for furniture. Moreover, rubberwood has an incredible blonde to medium tan color.

Takes stains well

Rubberwood takes stains and finishes very well. This is especially great if you want to change its appearance to suit your tastes and setting.                           

Cons Of Using Rubberwood For Furniture

Perishable

Rubberwood is perishable and has a strong tendency to decay. Moreover, it is susceptible to fungal staining and insect attacks. To curb these effects, it has to undergo many harsh chemical treatments, which can be a turnoff to some.                                        

May trigger latex allergies

If you have allergies to latex, rubberwood may not be for you. Some people have had some sort of allergic reaction while working with rubberwood.

Warping and twisting

While drying, rubberwood tends to warp and twist, causing it to distort before thoroughly drying. However, it can be quite durable and sturdy after it’s seasoned.     

It isn’t great for outdoor use

Rubberwood is very moisture-absorbent, so it deteriorates more quickly when placed outdoors. For this reason, you’ll want to keep your rubberwood furniture indoors or in a less humid environment.