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Rubber Wood: The Eco-Friendly Wood
By Leon Tuberman
Rubber wood, which is, also known as parawood was found in the early 1600s by explorers to Brazil. Already established peoples in Brazil had been using the sap from these trees to make balls for various games and sports. The explorers returned home with seeds from these trees and cultivated it, spreading the rubber tree to Asia, Vietnam, Thailand and Hynan. Rubber wood is actually a species of Maple and like all maples it produces sap. In the case of the rubber tree it produces a bouncy, stretch sap rather than the syrup found in other maples. Normally, a rubber tree is burned after it can no longer produce adequate sap for rubber tapping. A Rubber wood tree only produces for about 18-25 years and unlike most trees which simply grow before they become viable as lumber, the rubber wood or parawood tree are used as lumber after they have finished producing sap, making them one of the most economical and ecological friendly woods used in furniture making. It is used in higher end furniture and has a dense grain, attractive coloring, does not shrink as some other woods do and can take a number of different finishes making it highly valued. Its main ecological value comes from the fact that the wood is being used rather than being burned after being cut down. Despite its name it is actually one of the more durable woods that are currently being used in home furnishings in modern manufacturing. The grain make it easy to control during the drying process which also prevents it from shrinking during the drying process and makes it more stable when it comes to furnishings than other woods. It can also be made to mimic other types of wood such as rosewood or oak. This has on occasion led to confusion about the type of wood used in the furniture. Rubber wood is a recent addition to the furniture market making its way in after then 1960s when production dropped off and the use of rubber wood as a furniture wood came into being. Creating furnishings in this wood is no different from the use of any other hardwood and neither is finishing rubber wood. The secret is to make sure that the sanding is even. This creates an even finish and the smoother the surface the lighter the finish. When finishing you may be able to tell spots, which are darker than others, these dark spots are spots where the surface is rougher than the spots around it. Sanding these spots to match the lighter areas around it is essential to creating the smooth and even finish that is the mark of a high quality piece of furniture. The use of rubber wood in high quality furnishings is a great way to recycle and continue to make use of the tree after it has finished with its sap producing years, rather than simply burning the wood. The grain is lovely and its dense quality makes it perfect for kiln drying. It can also be made to mimic other woods making it a cost effective alternative to more expensive hardwoods.
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PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
Solid Wood Furniture
Fine Oak & Wood Furniture Since 1945
www.barnfurnituremart.com/amish_furniture.aspx
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Is it possible to get rubber wood as a flooring material?
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