If you are looking to remodel your home, build new furniture from scratch, or invest in durable wood projects for your house, the term “parawood” may come up in your research, or perhaps you have come across the term while shopping for home goods.
Either way, you may have found yourself wondering what parawood is and why it would be great to buy.
If you want to know more, this article will give you an in-depth look at parawood and if it would be an exceptional fit for you.
So, what exactly is parawood? Parawood hails from Central America and Indonesia, largely growing on rubber plantations, thus it’s sometimes referred to as ‘rubberwood’. These trees can grow up to 80 feet tall, and are very easy to fell. What’s more, they’re very self-renewable. The tropical wood itself is lightly-colored in appearance and soft to the touch, despite its durability and strength.
Parawood trees produce a sap that has a similar texture to latex. It gives it a nice feel and solid durability.
Each parawood tree will begin producing this sap at around five-six years of age and continue to do so until it’s about 30 years old.
Now that we have a basic understanding of parawood, let’s dive deeper. Coming up, we will discuss parawood’s quality, odor, durability, and more!
Parawood Explained
Parawood can be used to build many things, including office furniture, cabinetry, home furniture, and so much more.
Since it started growing in popularity in the 1980s, parawood has become a signature tool to build durable items.
Parawood Origins
Even though parawood is extremely popular today and is used to make countless items, it wasn’t always a favorite choice.
This mostly has to do with the fact that the tree is an easy target for fungi and insects as it’s growing.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that tree plantations began to develop and use chemicals to protect rubber trees from these threats.
Since that time, parawood trees have only become more and more popular.
Parawood Characteristics
Parawood trees have a pale, almost yellow, color that is extremely different from other trees.
Much like mahogany, parawood has a grainy texture that’s compact, durable, and steady. Furniture makers often pick parawood because of these features.
Benefits of Parawood
It can’t be said enough. Parawood is exceptionally durable, which is why it makes such a solid foundation for furniture. It can withstand daily wear and even hold up to moderate abuse.
This allows a customer to find quality furniture for their bedroom, living room, kitchen, workspace, and more without having to worry about it breaking or fading anytime soon.
Parawood is also known to stain well and be cut easily during the building process.
It can also be used as an excellent shock absorber. Gyms will use parawood in their flooring to maximize absorbing capacity.
This helps provide a good cushion for those who are working out and don’t want to injure themselves if they accidentally fall.
It also helps decrease the chance of injuries during intense workouts.
Parawood is also low maintenance. So, you do not have to worry about it breaking easily, and you don’t have to worry about spending lots of money to maintain it.
Drawbacks of Parawood
Do not put parawood furniture outside! Parawood is known to rot easily, deform, and be a good host for fungus. So, it would be best not to expose it to the elements.
The wood can also be expensive and be stained easily by certain liquids. Grease, detergents, and abrasive cleaning solutions can damage parawood flooring.
If you are looking for wood that will brighten up a room in your home, don’t pick parawood. It sometimes has a dull finish, especially in flooring.
Is Parawood Good Quality?
Parawood can be costly, so it’s vital to know if you are spending your money on the right product. The good news is that parawood has exceptional quality!
It’s known as one of the strongest wood types and is exceptionally durable. It can withstand the wear and tear of everyday life without you having to worry about too much maintenance.
It will stay looking great and shiny for a long time.
Even though it’s of exceptional quality, customers who buy parawood furniture products are encouraged to clean and polish parawood regularly.
If treated well, your parawood furniture could last for decades.
Is Parawood a Hard or Soft Wood?
Parawood is a hardwood, which means it can withstand the wear and tear of a busy lifestyle. Because it is hardwood, it is compact. This helps it be sturdy and durable.
The compactness and sturdiness makes parawood the perfect choice for bedroom furniture, kitchen furniture, occasional tables, children’s furniture, and certain flooring.
Does Parawood Stain Well?
Yes, plywood is known to stain exceptionally well.
Does Parawood Scratch Easily?
Like other rubber woods, parawood is strong and does not scratch easily. It has about the same hardness as a walnut tree, but it is a little bit softer than oak.
Its compact structure allows for extra protection from bumps and scratches that happen in everyday life.
However, if the furniture is dropped or hit with a large object, that would be a different story.
Can You Paint Parawood?
Yes! It is relatively easy to paint parawood, especially if you use primer.
Is Parawood Good for Furniture?
Yes, parawood is ideal for furniture due to its durability and relative softness.
Is Parawood Toxic?
The short answer is, no! Parawood is nontoxic and is resistant to burns. Toxic fumes will not be released from the wood.
Sometimes, toxicity can depend on whether the wood is on fire or not. In most cases, parawood is safe.
How Do You Seal Parawood?
Since parawood contains latex, its pores are relatively large. Due to its coarseness, parawood may have to be sanded and treated before being sealed.
Related Questions:
Does Rubberwood Have an Odor?
Like other rubber woods, parawood can be stinky! It has a slightly foul sour odor when it is being worked on, but once the wood has dried, the smell goes away.
Is Rubberwood Better than Teak?
The answer to this question is entirely dependent on whether you are in the market for outdoor or indoor furniture.
If you want patio furniture, teak is the best option because it holds up against the elements better.
Rubberwood is a viable option for furniture pieces, but it does not hold up as well outdoors. It is, however, easy to work with and finishes nicely.
Conclusion
If you are in the market for quality furniture, parawood is an excellent option. No need to worry about maintenance, scratches, or durability. Parawood can help your house feel like a home!
