This Underrated Hardwood Is About to Become Your New Favorite Material
Acacia wood may me less commonly used in the United States compared to other popular hardwoods such as oak, pine, and teak. Still, it’s been gaining more and more interest for its beauty and durability with designers in recent years, and we're definitely on board. "Acacia is native to places such as Australia, but it’s grown around the world, including in Africa, Asia, and the U.S,” says John Mazzuca, custom furniture and cabinetmaker and luxury home builder with Gambrick. "There are about 1,000 species, which all have slightly different appearances," he adds.
And that's part of the charm! Indeed, because there are so many different species of acacia wood, you can find an array of shades, ranging from white to pale yellow and even rich brown tones. Some types have a pronounced and dramatic grain, and some have little discernible grain. "We often leave it the natural wood color because it doesn’t need more than an occasional coat of mineral oil every few years for maintenance," Mazzuca tells us. Even better news: It's also incredibly durable, been more than other popular types of hardwoods. Specifically, it’s more than twice as hard as oak, measuring 2300 on the Janka scale, which indicates how well a species of wood can resist dings.
Learn more about acacia wood ahead.
What is acacia wood used for?
Acacia wood is used for a variety of products, including household items such as cutting boards or decorative plates. Because it’s dense and resistant to pests and moisture, it’s an ideal material for outdoor furniture; you can leave it out and not worry about rot, fungus growing on it, or bugs. It’s also used for railings, custom cabinetry, and butcher block countertops, says Mazzuca. In Europe, it’s used more often for structural components such as beams, but that’s not as common here.
Another common use for acacia wood is flooring. It’s available in solid wood flooring, which is made from one piece of wood from top to bottom, or engineered wood flooring, which consists of layers of thin sheets of wood glued together, with the grain going in different directions to provide stability. It’s then finished with a thin top layer of acacia wood.
What are the advantages of acacia wood?
Acacia wood is tough! Because its super-dense, it is a great choice for flooring and resists casual dings and scratches exceptionally well. It’s a sensible option if you have big dogs or wear heels regularly because it’s almost impossible to dent or damage. "It’s as close to maintenance-free as you can get with hardwood," says Mazzuca.
Although most people like to leave acacia wood in its natural color, it does sand up nicely, leaving a smooth, silky surface that holds stain or paint well. On outdoor furniture, it may develop a greyish caste over time if left untreated, but you can apply a mineral oil protectant to help maintain its natural color.
Are there disadvantages to using acacia wood?
One of the disadvantages of acacia wood is that it's pricey. While oak flooring is typically $3 per square foot, solid acacia is closer to $8 per square foot. However, you can use it as an accent wood to lay out a border, for example, to cut costs, suggests Mazzuca.
Another issue is that the average homebuilder or furniture maker likely is not familiar with the wood's nuances; for example, it must be dried very slowly to prevent warping, and it can be a little tricky to work with if you’re not acquainted with its subtleties. You may need to search for a woodworker who is comfortable handling it if you’re planning a new or renovation project and want to use acacia wood, says Mazzuca.
Finally, although its density prevents acacia wood from expanding and contracting with changing environmental conditions like other hardwoods such as oak do, it may be prone to warping or cracking. That’s typically only an issue in areas of the country where there’s very little humidity, such as Arizona or other desert climates, says Mazzuca. Running a humidifier or applying a light coat of mineral oil periodically can protect and restore acacia wood’s resilience.
Is acacia wood sustainable?
Acacia wood is sustainable because it’s a fast-growing wood that can be harvested at a young age. For example, with a species such as oak, you’d have to wait 20 to 30 years for usable lumber. But acacia trees grow six to eight feet a year, so in four or five years, you’ll have a 20 to a 40-foot-tall tree that can be harvested, says Mazzuca. Many growers also seek FSC-certification, which promotes responsible use of the world’s forests.
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