Beautiful, Practical, and Popular; we are talking about the attractive acacia wood that features a very distinctive style of grain which makes it one of the most visually alluring kinds of wood present in the market.
In this article, we will tell you all about acacia wood, from its characteristics to its uses to its advantages and disadvantages. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Contents
Acacia Wood – What is It
Acacia is a hard and heavy wood that easily withstands climatic changes. It is naturally durable and is very resistant which makes it ideal for various kinds of exterior woodwork, household items, long-lasting furniture and a lot more.
With good resilience and a high density, it is the hardest among all hardwoods. This also makes it a good alternative to exotic woods. They do best in tropical and temperate areas. It is a rapid-growth plant species. In the right conditions, Acacia can grow as tall as 20-30 ft. in a couple of years only.
Acacia has an interesting, multidirectional structure. Its fibers are directed towards one another. Moreover, it is highly resistant to friction and thus is difficult to process when completely dry. Its core is reddish-brown in color and has dark, attractive veins.
It has a light brown or yellowish sapwood. Since it is prone to cracking, it has a gentle, specific drying process. Wondering where Acacia grows? You will be happy and surprised to hear that it is the kind of wood that grows in Asia, America, the Pacific Coast, and Africa.
However, it is native to Australia and originated there. There are over thousands of kinds of Acacia. Acacia is not only hardy and durable, but it is very easy and flexible to work with. What’s more, fungi and pests will not affect your Acacia furniture, whether you keep them indoors or outside in your garden, terrace, balcony, etc.!
Why Is Acacia So Popular
You will find hundreds of thousands of items out in the market that is made from Acacia tree. There are many reasons why people love using products made out of Acacia Tree. Here are a couple of reasons.
- You can grow Acacia trees in varying climatic conditions.
- Since Acacia stores nitrogen and carbon emissions, it is an environmentally friendly tree.
- It is very durable and hardy. When compared with European white oak, it is 55% harder. Moreover, Acacia is 90% harder than carbonized bamboo and over 23% harder when you look at hickory. This makes it one of the most durable woods for flooring on the market.
- Acacia has beautiful looking dark brownish heartwood that features clearly demarcated sapwood. Moreover, it has a distinctive grain pattern that people love to use for farmhouse/rustic style furniture and décor.
- With more than 1,300 varieties available, Acacia is accessible no matter where you are in the world. You can use the sap and then harvest the wood.
What are the Uses of Acacia Wood
Now that you know why people love Acacia, and rightly so, it is time for you to learn what are the various places where Acacia wood works its magic.
- Building Furniture
One of the most common uses of Acacia wood is building furniture. It is very popular as furniture wood because of its strength. Acacia furniture can withstand a lot of weight and still retain its shape. You can easily use it to make tables, patio sets, etc. since you can easily place a lot of weight on it without the risk of buckling.
Since it is a tall tree – it can grow up to 80 ft. even – builders can easily make long pieces of furniture such as benches, tables, etc., all from one piece of wood! After it is cut, Acacia is very flexible and easy to handle.
Its flexibility allows it to be molded into the right shape easily when it is still wet. Once it dries completely, it becomes hard and difficult to process. Therefore, the furniture retains its shape and is highly resistant to regular wear and tear, scratches, etc.
- Hardwood Floors
Another highly popular use of Acacia is the creation of tempting, visually appealing, stunning hardwood floors. With its distinctive grain style, Acacia floors are very easy on the eye. You can match it with various design aesthetics and style, be it modern or rustic.
Moreover, since Acacia is waterproof, it is ideal for wet areas of your home, such as the kitchen, washrooms, etc. Since it doesn’t absorb moisture, Acacia floors are not susceptible to bacterial or mold growth.
This is very beneficial, particularly if you have health issues, such as breathing problems. The floors are very easy to maintain as well. Simply sweeping and mopping the floor occasionally will get rid of most of the dirt on your floors.
What’s more, you don’t have to worry about the Acacia floors buckling or warping with age! Quite a handy bargain, if you ask us!
- Other Uses
Acacia wood has many other uses as well. When the wood is pressed, it releases aromatic essential oils. These oils are used to make medicines, perfumes, skincare products, etc. Moreover, acacia wood is also used to make wooden cutlery, especially cutting boards as well.
In Hawaii, most of the surfboards are made out of the famous Acacia wood.
Taking Care of Acacia Wood
To maintain the durability and natural beauty of Acacia, you have to take care of it. However, you will be happy to know that Acacia is fairly easy to maintain. Simply hand wash it with warm, soapy water, and then let it air-dry.
We recommend that you use a wood preservative afterwards. Voila! You have perfectly clean, sparkling Acacia wood in no time!
Acacia Wood – Final Word
Acacia wood has become very popular amongst folks from all around the world due to its stunning grain styles and durability. As you have seen, there are several ways of using this beautiful wood. Incorporate some Acacia wood in your home décor and see its magic for yourself!
