What Is Rubberwood?
Budget-friendly hardwood.
When it comes to choosing wood furniture, there are so many options to consider. Rubberwood is a popular choice because it's affordable, durable, and versatile. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Rubberwood?
When you hear the term "rubberwood," you might be thinking of a type of engineered wood with synthetic components – but it's not! Rubberwood is in fact a medium-density form of hardwood that comes from the Pará rubber tree (which is also used for the creation of rubber). Wood manufacturers harvest these trees at the end of their life cycle to use in the creation of wood products like furniture. Rubberwood naturally has a light or medium wood color, but it's super easy to stain to achieve a variety of wood finishes.
Consider the Benefits of Rubberwood
(Shop this image: rubberwood beds, white bedding sets, blue blankets, and orange throw pillows)
There are so many benefits to choosing rubberwood furniture. Below, we've broken down the pros of this hardwood option to aid in your decision.
- Affordability: Rubberwood is relatively much more affordable than other wood furniture options because it is considered the by-product of the tree's actual purpose: to extract latex to make rubber. Therefore, harvesting the wood after the tree has ceased making latex is an easy and beneficial process (as it makes room for new trees).
- Medium-Density: Rubberwood is considered a medium-density hardwood, which means that it has a wood thickness that's not too thin or too thick. It strikes the perfect balance for durability while also remaining more affordable and easy to move, unlike heavier, higher-density hardwoods.
- Durability: Its medium-density composition makes rubberwood a durable option for wood furniture when you're on a budget. Rubberwood has a strong, straight wood grain that makes it less likely to shrink or crack. It also makes it suitable for dining room tables, chairs, beds, and other statement furniture pieces that need to be able to support varying amounts of weight at a time.
- Eco-Friendly: As mentioned, lumber companies harvest rubberwood to produce wood furniture when it's at the end of its natural life and no longer producing latex. This allows it to contribute fully to an ecosystem before being harvested. In addition to the time frame for harvesting rubberwood, it also only takes around 30 years for the tree to mature, while other hardwood trees can take up to 100 years to mature.
- Versatile Stain Options: Although rubberwood has a natural light to medium wood tone, it's very easy to stain it to achieve a variety of other wood tones! This is because it has a porous composition and a straight wood grain. This means manufacturers can achieve a variety of styles and finishes with rubberwood, which means more options to choose from for your furniture.
Compare & Contrast With Other Types of Hardwood
(Shop this image: rubberwood coffee tables, light gray sectionals, rubberwood sideboards, and faux fur area rugs)
This section goes over how rubberwood differs from other types of hardwood so you can decide if it's the right wood furniture material for you. Also check out Wood Furniture Types & Finishes Glossary to explore other hardwood options.
Rubberwood vs. Oak
When it comes to comparing rubberwood vs. oak for furniture, both provide beautiful, durable results. Rubberwood is light- to medium-tan in tone, while oak can vary between white or red tones. Rubberwood features a medium-density composition, but oak has a higher-density that makes it heavier, more durable, and also more expensive.
Rubberwood vs. Walnut
Rubberwood and walnut wood are similar in that they're both medium-density hardwoods. Walnut wood differs in appearance from light to dark shades of brown, while rubberwood stays on the lighter side. Overall, rubberwood is less expensive to produce and more readily available, which makes it the more affordable option of the two.
Rubberwood vs. Teak
Rubberwood and teak are very similar in appearance. Both have a light to medium-toned color range, and both are grown in parts of Asia today. However, teak is generally considered heavier, more durable, and pricier. Rubberwood gives you a similar look with a lighter-weight wood and a more budget-friendly price point.
Rubberwood vs. Bamboo
Bamboo is technically a grass, but it has the strength to rival hardwood alternatives, which is why we had to include it! Like rubberwood, bamboo is considered eco-friendly. This is because it can regrow when cut back and harvested. Bamboo is also sometimes more affordable compared to rubberwood. However, when it comes to durability, rubberwood is the way to go. Its dense composition makes it ideal for statement furniture pieces that you want to last for the long term.
Learn How to Care for Rubberwood
(Shop this image: rubberwood side tables, woven baskets, white table lamps, and sheer curtains)
Understanding how to care for rubberwood will help you take proactive measures to preserve furniture pieces for the long-term.
1. Refrain or Limit Outdoor Exposure
Keep rubberwood furniture indoors and away from direct sunlight to help preserve its quality. Extreme cold, humidity, or wet conditions can put stress on the wood and cause cracking or moisture damage.
2. Regularly Dust Rubberwood Furniture
Go over rubberwood surfaces with a dry cloth to prevent dust or dirt from building up and getting stuck in the wood grain. Complete this task on a weekly basis or whenever you start to notice a film of dust gathering on the surface. This will keep rubberwood pieces looking pristine.
3. Use Coasters
Use coasters for drinks on rubberwood tables to prevent moisture rings and moisture from seeping into the wood grain. This will keep rubberwood strong and mark-free. If you spill liquid or forget to use a coaster, don't worry! Simply wipe and dry the spill right away to keep the moisture from settling into the wood.
4. Wash Pieces On a Yearly Basis
We recommend washing your rubberwood furniture with a mild soap and water mix at least once a year or as needed to keep it looking its best and to remove any unwanted marks. Use a dry cloth to wash and wipe down the surface of the furniture. Then go back over with another dry cloth to soak up the moisture and to help quicken the drying process.
Choose Rubberwood Furniture for Any Room in Your Home
(Shop this image: rubberwood console tables, ceramic fruit bowls, water carafes, and earthenware dinnerware sets)
With so many ways to use rubberwood furniture throughout your home, we've compiled a list of furniture options by room:
Entryway Furniture:
Living Room Furniture:
Kitchen & Dining Furniture:
- Rubberwood kitchen & dining tables
- Rubberwood kitchen & dining chairs
- Rubberwood kitchen & dining sets
Bedroom Furniture:
