Rubber Wood vs. Solid Wood

Rubber wood is a light-coloured hardwood gotten from Maple plantation trees. They are also called environmentally friendly wood and can be used in constructing wooden structures. They mostly grow in Africa, Asia, and South America. Rubber wood is highly admired because of its durability and strength.

On the other hand, solid Wood Is fresh timber that is gotten directly from trees without the use of adhesives. Solid wood is extremely beautiful and strong. Most people prefer to use solid wood in making indoor furniture and floors. Solid wood is known to last very long.

Rubber wood and solid wood are both durable and useful wood types. They each have their advantages and disadvantages and share some similarities as well, but which wood works best for you?

	Rubber Wood	Solid Wood
Colour	Rubber wood has a very light colour that resembles white.	The colour of solid wood depends on the tree that the wood is cut from.
Grain	Rubber wood has a tight grain structure. The grain is straight.	The grain of solid wood depends on the cut and slice of the wood.
Texture	The texture of rubber wood is coarse and open.	Solid wood has lots of pores.
Durability	Contrary to popular belief, rubber wood is a very durable hardwood.	Few wood types are as durable as solid wood, which can last decades without wearing.
Density	Rubber wood is lightweight and has a density of 560 to 625 kg/m3.	Solid wood has a density of 1.0 g/cm3
Workability	Rubber wood Is very easy to work with. Its high flexibility makes it easy to cut and bend.	Solid wood cuts, glues, and finishes easily.

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Key Differences Between Rubber Wood and Solid Wood

Strength

While most people assume rubber wood is not very strong, the truth is the opposite. Rubber wood has a strength of about 9500 psi and a hardness of 500 pounds. While it is not the strongest wooden on the market, its flexibility, strength, and beautiful surface make it a great choice for interior wood design.

Additionally, solid wood is stronger than most wood types. Because all the grains in solid wood run in the same direction, the wood is strongest at the grains and can withstand heavy weights. Solid wood is sometimes used in making crates and ship parts for this very reason.

Durability

Despite its beauty, rubber wood is easily susceptible to decay and rot. If you decide to use rubber wood for construction, you have to be very careful in maintaining it and keeping it away from moisture, excess sunlight, and anything that could cause damage to the wood.

As mentioned before, solid wood is extremely durable. Solid wood can last centuries with proper maintenance. While moisture can also affect solid wood, it does not rot easily. The wood can be reused to make new wooden structures at any point in time.

Uses

Here are some of the uses of rubber wood;

It is used in the production of furniture.
Rubber woods can be used in producing indoor wooden components.
Because of its flexibility, rubber wood is great for making decorations.
It is used in making kitchen wooden wares, such as cutting boards, knives, etc.
It can be used for interior millwork.

Here are some of the uses of solid wood;

It can be used for construction.
Solid wood is great for making interior furniture.
It can be used for flooring and making doors.
It can be used in making wooden houses.

Cost

Before deciding which wood works best for you, you need to know the expenses associated with each wood type. Rubber wood is the most affordable hardwood you will find. It has a low material cost and is very strong. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly durable wood, rubber wood is the best choice for you.

Solid wood is more expensive than rubber wood. However, solid wood is very valuable, lasts long, and is definitely worth the money. It also requires little to no repairs if you maintain it well.

Similarities Between Rubber Wood and Solid Wood

While rubber wood and solid wood may be very different types of wood, they do share some certain similarities, such as;

Aesthetic Value

Both rubber wood and solid wood are aesthetically pleasing wood types. The light colouring in rubber wood makes it extremely attractive and a number one choice for making houses decorations and beautiful wooden cutlery.

Solid wood is even more attractive. With its smooth brown surface, solid wood helps in making very attractive furniture, doors and floors.

They Paint Easily

Rubber wood and solid wood are both susceptible to paint and stains. This means they look nice painted over, and it does not affect the quality of the wood.

Pros and Cons of Rubber Wood

Pros

Rubber wood is cost-effective and affordable.
It paints and stains very well.
Rubber wood is easy to work with.
It requires simple maintenance.
It is resistant to fire and burns.

Cons

Rubber wood is susceptible to rot and decay.
It often contains lots of chemicals, which can make it unattractive.
When rubber wood dries, it loses its shape.
Dents can easily form on rubber wood.

Pros and Cons of Solid Wood