Though many types of wood are available on the market, acacia is one of the most popular options. This type of tree features very distinctive grain styling, making it one of the visually appealing types of wood available on the market. But what is acacia wood, and how is it used? Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you need to know if you consider placing acacia in your home.
What Is The Acacia Tree?
The acacia tree can grow in a range of climates. However, they do best in temperate, tropical, or desert areas. This species (over 1,000) is also a rapid-growth plant. Given the right conditions, they will grow around 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) in just five years. While doing this, they are capturing greenhouse gases like nitrogen and oxygen. This makes them an environmentally friendly option, as materials made from acacia will store these gases.
Why Is The Acacia Tree So Popular?
There are hundreds of products made from the acacia tree, making it one of the most popular woods on the market. There are a few reasons why it has become such a desired commodity amongst manufacturers and customers alike.
First, as we mentioned, this can be grown in a wide range of climatic conditions. As a result, several sustainable acacia growers worldwide can produce the wood in an environmentally friendly manner. Because it can capture and store carbon and nitrogen emissions, this is considered eco-friendly.
It’s More Durable & Hard Than Most Wood
Registering at 2,300 psi on the Janka scale, acacia is 55% harder than European white oak, 23% harder than hickory, and 90% harder than carbonized bamboo, making it one of the most durable floors on the market. Because of its hardness, acacia wood is an excellent material for building furniture, decor, flooring, and more.
The Distinctive Grain Patterns Are Stunning
Many species have a medium to dark brown heartwood with sharply demarcated sapwood. Figured grain patterns such as curl (commonly called “ringed” in Australia) are also seen. Because of these unique characteristics, most people use wood for rustic/farmhouse-style decor and furniture. Modern interior design has never been so attractive, thanks to this unique element!
Acacia Wood Is a Sustainable Material
With over 1,300 different varieties available, acacia wood is accessible in almost every market of the world. Many farmers harvest the wood after they have used all of the sap (also known as acacia gum) from the tree. These rapid-growing trees live 20-30 years, and some are removed because they are a nuisance to other plant life in the area.
Uses For Acacia Wood
There are several uses for the acacia wood, as we’ll soon see. As a result, demand tends to be very strong. This allows suppliers to keep the prices low, so you’ll always be able to find acacia products for an affordable price.
Building Furniture
While this type of wood can have a range of uses, one of the most common applications is building furniture. This tends to be so popular because of the strength of the wood. Because it’s a hardwood, it’ll be able to take a lot of weight without bending out of shape. This makes it the perfect option for building furniture (such as patio sets and tables), as you can put a lot of weight onto the wood without risking it buckling. Also, the acacia tree can grow to be around 82 feet high (25 meters). As a result, builders can produce long pieces of furniture, like tables or benches, from a single piece of wood.
Also, it can be effortless for manufacturers to handle, as it tends to be flexible after being cut. This lets them mold it into the right shape. However, as it dries out, it starts to become harder. This means that the furniture will be able to retain its shape. Also, it will be highly durable, with a high-quality acacia furniture item being resistant to damage, like scratches. As a result, it will last for several years, making it an excellent investment.
Hardwood Flooring
Another popular use of acacia wood is to create stunning flooring. There are a few reasons why acacia is the perfect choice for this area. First, it tends to be visually striking, with distinctive grain patterns. Because of this, it can fit within multiple style aesthetics, giving you plenty of design options to explore.
Also, this material is waterproof. This is perfect for wet areas, like the kitchen, making cleaning up spills simple. This makes it one of the easiest to maintain flooring materials on the market. You’ll need to sweep and mop it occasionally to clean up any dirt in most cases. Also, because the floor doesn’t absorb moisture, it won’t be susceptible to mold or bacterial growth. This can present multiple health benefits, especially if you have breathing problems. Also, as we mentioned earlier, this material is very durable. This makes it a great flooring option, as you won’t need to worry about it warping or buckling with age.
Home Decor
Many people choose to use acacia wood for home decor. There are several benefits that you can gain from taking this approach. First, you will choose between multiple types of acacia woods. For example, you will find numerous grain patterns in different shades. You’ll also be able to get some laminated woods. If needed, you can get stains to give you even more color options to explore. As a result, it’s easy to find the right type of wood to suit the style of your home. Because of this, they are becoming increasingly popular with designers, using it to create a focal point with the room.
Another big attraction is the many ways that you can use the material. Acacia can be fashioned into multiple types of home decor items. For example, you can turn it into a kitchen tabletop, a finished coffee table, or build a sturdy bookcase. Because of this versatility, you will be able to incorporate this into every room in your house, helping designers achieve a sense of consistency throughout the building.
Cutting Boards & Kitchenware
Because of its durability and hardness, acacia wood is also used to create kitchen accessories such as serveware. You will find that solid acacia wood makes the perfect cutting board/cheeseboard, serving tray, or salad bowl. These are just a few items made from the sustainable acacia tree.
The wood harvested from the acacia tree is not just strong, but it’s also quite stunning. The unique grain patterns and contrasting colors create an attractive appearance. When the wood is expertly crafted and finished, it will have a distinctive look that everyone will love. Just remember to protect your acacia wood kitchenware by rubbing it with mineral oil.
Other Uses
Interestingly, when pressed, the wood releases essential oils. These can be used to make some medicines. They can also make perfumes and skincare products, producing a honey-like smell.
In some cases, people might want to use wood to form sculptures. For example, it’s common to find wood bowls and plates made from acacia wood. In Hawaii, it’s used to make surfboards.
Caring For Acacia Wood
This distinctive wood needs to be cared for to maintain its natural beauty and durability. Luckily, caring for this sustainable wood is relatively easy. Acacia wood requires handwashing with warm soapy water, then dried with a soft cloth or air-dried. After each cleaning, it is recommended to protect your acacia wood with the proper wood preservative. Make sure you:
- do NOT leave your acacia wood decor or serveware in direct sunlight.
- do NOT use in the dishwasher or microwave.
- store in a cool, dry location when not in use.
Conclusion
Due to its durability and stunning grain patterns, acacia wood has become a viral construction material. It’s so popular that it’s even found in the virtual worlds in such video games as Minecraft. As we’ve seen, there are dozens of different ways that you will be able to use the timber. Consider putting some acacia wood in your home today to see how beautiful this material can be.