There are many several types of wooden which might be utilized in carpentry and furnishings making and so they all have their execs 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 concerns it’s best 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 is likely to be sufficient to place you off for any explicit venture.Â
Include me as we discover the disadvantages of acacia wooden with the intention to assist you make the precise resolution 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 sort of hardwood there’s. It’s extremely dense and pliable and the color is actually one thing to behold.Â
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 for those who 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 subsequent, there are slight variations which makes it simpler to seek out the right sort of acacia to your venture.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 must be thought-about a deal breaker however the disadvantages of one of these wooden may make it unsuitable for some initiatives. So, earlier than you decide, I’d urge you to consider the next.Â
It’s Comparatively Excessive Upkeep
All sorts of wooden require some type of upkeep purely as a result of it’s a pure materials that may shortly degrade if it isn’t taken care of. Whereas acacia is definitely not the most demanding, there are points with the wooden’s capability 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 motive you can not proceed permitting your wooden to vary color.Â
Nonetheless, if you wish to fight this downside you then’ll have to put in a bit of additional work. That entails sustaining the unique end of the wooden. In the event you’ve made the furnishings your self then follow no matter end you initially used. In the event you’ve bought the furnishings, you should definitely discover out the unique end so that you may be constant when caring for the wooden. Linseed oil is a typical alternative.Â
It’s Temperature Delicate
In the event you’re desirous about shopping for acacia wooden then you could take into account the place you’re going to position the piece of furnishings. Placing it subsequent to a warmth supply similar to a patio heater, wooden burning range, hearth and even in direct daylight can actually upset the wooden and it’ll start to crack.
Whereas it is a very sturdy sort of wooden, acacia has fibres that face each other and this tends to make it fairly brittle.Â
That mentioned, for those who rotate your furnishings repeatedly to guarantee that 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 most important cons about it’s that the design of the wooden may be unpredictable and inconsistent. In the event you’re making a chunk of furnishings the place you need uniformity, you in all probability gained’t be capable to obtain that with one of these wooden.
It’s Heavy
You is likely to 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, for those who’re in search of a chunk of furnishings you could simply transfer round your own home or backyard then one thing with quite a lot of weight isn’t going to be straightforward to shift.
Lots of people like wood out of doors furnishings however additionally they like to decide on a light-weight wooden in order that they’ll carry it indoors shortly ought to the climate take a flip for the worst. That mentioned, for those who dwell 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 factor and it makes it much more sturdy that different sorts of hardwood like maple or oak. Nonetheless, which means that the wooden is much more troublesome 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 all the good factors of acacia, it gained’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 sorts of unique wooden like rosewood, it’s rather a lot cheaper and that’s due to how sustainable it’s. However while you examine the worth to native hardwoods, it would make your eyes water. However it’s all about finances and the way a lot you’re glad to spend.
It’s, in fact, attainable 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 price buying round to see what you could find.Â
So, Ought to I Trouble With Acacia Or Select One thing Else?
Having regarded on the disadvantages of acacia wooden, you could possibly be forgiven for pondering that it’s not price it. However I wouldn’t poo-poo the thought simply but. There are a ton of causes that acacia is sensible as a furnishings wooden and it actually is determined by what you’re in search of.Â
For instance, if you would like a light-weight wooden that’s tremendous straightforward to take care of then acacia in all probability isn’t for you. However these cons is likely to be thought-about benefits by somebody who enjoys sustaining wooden and desires one thing heavy and sturdy. It’s all relative, as they are saying.Â
However for those who’re sitting on the fence, let me level out a number of causes that acacia may work effectively for you. For starters, that is an extremely resistant sort 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 may final so long as 4 many years with out ever needing to be handled. However in fact, the circumstances need to be spot on and normally, you will have to deal with it far more ceaselessly than this.Â
As I discussed earlier, acacia could be very sturdy. Whereas it is likely to be robust to repair within the occasion that it will get scratched or broken, it’s extremely unlikely that it’ll ever maintain injury within the first place.
One thing else that I feel makes acacia a extremely good selection for furnishings is that it is a naturally antibacterial sort of wooden. In the event you’re making a eating desk or maybe even one thing like a chopping board, it’s excellent 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 it is a sensible alternative for learners. Whereas it’s an extremely exhausting and resistant wooden, it’s additionally very pliable, particularly when it’s recent. So for those who’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 giant quantities are harvested, there are nonetheless thousands and thousands of bushes left over so there’s no issues over extinction.Â
Remaining Ideas
In relation to choosing the proper sort of wooden to your subsequent furnishings venture or when shopping for prepared made furnishings, acacia could also be one thing you’ve thought-about. You will 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 quite a lot of good factors about acacia, as with something, there are a number of downsides that it’s best to take into account earlier than selecting a call.Â
In the event you don’t need a heavy wooden that requires quite a lot of upkeep, then acacia will not be the precise alternative for you. Moreover, acacia can get fairly costly so for those who’re engaged on a strict finances, it might be higher to decide on one thing like oak or walnut.Â