There are many several types of wooden which might be utilized in carpentry and furnishings making and so they all have their professionals and cons. Acacia is a well-liked alternative and whereas there are many nice issues about it, I’ve to level out that there are some issues you need to make earlier than selecting this as your wooden of alternative.Â


I’m not essentially saying that you simply shouldn’t use acacia however the disadvantages could be sufficient to place you off for any specific undertaking.Â
Include me as we discover the disadvantages of acacia wooden with the intention to enable you make the precise determination on the subject of selecting timber.Â
What Is Acacia?


Acacia is a sort of hardwood and it’s one of the crucial standard in furnishings making as a result of it’s truly the toughest kind of hardwood there’s. It’s extremely dense and pliable and the color is really one thing to behold.Â
Lots of people are realising the significance of selecting sustainable woods and this implies reducing out the usage of unique woods like mahogany and rosewood. However should you nonetheless need the identical properties whereas being eco-friendly then acacia is a superb different.Â
There are additionally many various species of acacia tree; greater than 1350 to be exact. Whereas the wooden from all of those species is simply as sturdy and engaging as the following, there are slight variations which makes it simpler to seek out the proper kind of acacia to your undertaking.Â
The Disadvantages Of Acacia Wooden
Whereas acacia is an especially standard alternative for woodworkers, there are some issues that you simply’ll want to think about. I wouldn’t say that these needs to be thought-about a deal breaker however the disadvantages of the sort of wooden might make it unsuitable for some initiatives. So, earlier than making a decision, I’d urge you to consider the next.Â
It’s Comparatively Excessive Upkeep
All varieties 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 taken care of. Whereas acacia is actually not the most demanding, there are points with the wooden’s capacity to retain its authentic color. After a while, the wooden can begin trying gray and this isn’t one thing that everybody likes.
Some individuals don’t thoughts this aged impact and if that’s you then there’s no purpose you can not proceed permitting your wooden to vary color.Â
Nonetheless, if you wish to fight this downside then you definitely’ll have to 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 persist with no matter end you initially used. If you happen to’ve bought the furnishings, remember to discover out the unique end so that you might be constant when caring for the wooden. Linseed oil is a standard alternative.Â
It’s Temperature Delicate
If you happen to’re fascinated by shopping for acacia wooden then you might want to take into account the place you’re going to put the piece of furnishings. Placing it subsequent to a warmth supply comparable to a patio heater, wooden burning range, fire 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.Â
That stated, should you rotate your furnishings often to make it possible for no single half is being over uncovered to the warmth then it shouldn’t be an issue.Â
It Has Irregular Grain Construction
It is a drawback that may divide individuals. As with the greying of acacia wooden, some individuals just like the irregular grain whereas others discover it to be a novel and spectacular attribute. It’s all down to non-public opinion.Â
One of many major cons about it’s that the design of the wooden might be unpredictable and inconsistent. If you happen to’re making a chunk of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you most likely gained’t be capable to obtain that with the sort of wooden.
It’s Heavy
You could be asking why I’m saying that being heavy is an obstacle for acacia. Nicely, in some methods, it’s an extremely constructive trait however it’s also one thing to think about. For instance, should you’re searching for a chunk of furnishings you can simply transfer round your own home or backyard then one thing with lots of weight isn’t going to be straightforward to shift.
Lots of people like picket out of doors 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 stated, should 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 arduous. Once more, that may very well be a superb factor and it makes it much more sturdy that different varieties 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 value contemplating.
It Doesn’t Come Low cost
With all the good factors of acacia, it gained’t come as a lot of a shock that it isn’t probably the most inexpensive wooden on the planet. I imply, in comparison with some varieties of unique wooden like rosewood, it’s loads cheaper and that’s due to how sustainable it’s. However once you examine the worth to native hardwoods, it’d make your eyes water. Nevertheless it’s all about funds and the way a lot you’re blissful to spend.
It’s, after all, doable to get a greater deal on acacia wooden and acacia furnishings. Issues like your location, the reduce of the wooden and different issues will have an effect on the worth so it’s value procuring round to see what you will discover.Â
So, Ought to I Hassle With Acacia Or Select One thing Else?
Having appeared on the disadvantages of acacia wooden, you might be forgiven for pondering that it’s not value 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 depends upon what you’re searching for.Â
For instance, if you would like a light-weight wooden that’s tremendous straightforward to take care of then acacia most likely isn’t for you. However these cons could be thought-about benefits by somebody who enjoys sustaining wooden and wishes one thing heavy and strong. It’s all relative, as they are saying.Â
However should you’re sitting on the fence, let me level out a couple of causes that acacia may work nicely for you. For starters, that is an extremely resistant kind of wooden that’s ideally suited for out of doors use because it gained’t be simply broken by water.Â
I’ve examine research which have proven acacia might final so long as 4 a long time with out ever needing to be handled. However after all, the situations should be spot on and typically, you have to to deal with it rather more continuously than this.Â
As I discussed earlier, acacia could be very sturdy. Whereas it could be powerful 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 feel makes acacia a extremely sensible choice for furnishings is that this can be a naturally antibacterial kind of wooden. If you happen to’re making a eating desk or even perhaps one thing like a chopping board, it’s good for meals prep and consuming.
For these of you that want to begin a woodworking undertaking and are contemplating acacia, let me inform you that this can be a sensible alternative for rookies. Whereas it’s an extremely arduous and resistant wooden, it’s additionally very pliable, particularly when it’s contemporary. So should you’re searching for one thing that’s going to be straightforward to work, it’s positively value 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 giant quantities are harvested, there are nonetheless hundreds of thousands of timber left over so there’s no issues over extinction.Â
Closing Ideas
Relating to choosing the proper kind of wooden to your subsequent furnishings undertaking or when shopping for prepared made furnishings, acacia could also be one thing you’ve thought-about. You’ll have additionally heard about how sturdy and resistant this wooden is which is one thing that may push individuals to decide.Â
Nonetheless, whereas there are lots of good factors about acacia, as with something, there are a couple of downsides that you need to take into account earlier than selecting a call.Â
If you happen to don’t desire a heavy wooden that requires lots of upkeep, then acacia will not be the precise alternative for you. Moreover, acacia can get fairly costly so should you’re engaged on a strict funds, it could be higher to decide on one thing like oak or walnut.Â