Do you know what is Parawood? If you do, then that is good. However, as a newbie or beginner in woodworking, you need to know more about the material first before proceeding. Knowing this information will help you decide on what type of wood to use and how you can also make some significant projects from this material.
Every woodworker should know about Parawood because it is a very popular wood for projects. Parawood is used for different types of projects such as tables, chairs, and other types of wood furniture.
Many people are getting interested in this kind of wood because it has a very rich texture and appearance like real wood. You can also make different types of projects from Para wood but you should know that the price is not really low compared to other normal woods used for making projects.
Table of Contents
What is Parawood?
Parawood is a type of wood that is mainly grown in Indonesia and Central America on rubber plantations. It is a light-colored tropical wood.
Parawood is one species of wood that comes from an entirely different family compared to other types of trees. The trees that produce Parawood are also not exactly the same as the trees used for producing real wood. Many people prefer this type of material because it is a solid and strong kind of wood that has a rich texture and appearance like real wood. It is also very easy to work with this kind of wood because it does not require much sanding in order to get a smooth surface after working on it.
Some people also call Parawood is a Rubberwood, It forms a rubber tree that is considered as one of the hardest and densest types of trees. This type of tree originates from South-East Asia and the main reason why this tree is used for producing wood is because of its density.
Parawood has many names such as plantation hardwood, Malaysian oak, white teak, and Hevea. But the most popular name Parawood came from a combination of two words which are “Para” and “wood”.
Characteristics of Parawood:
The Para wood/Rubber wood has a very distinct characteristic that sets it apart from other types of wood. It can grow up to 70 feet tall and the trunk of the tree can grow up to 100 feet in diameter. It is also very easy to identify other types of woods because it has a unique color pattern that does not change even after you worked on it.
The main color of Parawood is a yellowish color with a hint of brown. It has a very dark and distinct stripe pattern in the middle of the wood. If you want to identify other types of wood, you will have to cut it open in order to look at its grain pattern because this type of wood does not change even when it is already been worked on.
Parawood is considered as one of the strongest types of woods in the world. It is very durable, easy to work with and its color does not change even after being exposed to humidity or water.
Parawood contains very high density which makes it one of the hardest types of wood in the world. The average density of this kind of wood is 1100 Kg/m3 that makes the wood very solid and will not bend or break easily. This kind of wood is usually used for making ships, heavy-duty furniture, skyscraper support beams, and also musical instruments.
Parawood Furniture
If you are planning to make furniture like tables, chairs, and other types of wood projects, Parawood is a great choice. It has a very rich texture and appearance that will surely add beauty to your home interior. In order to give it a perfect look, you have to sand the surface with 220 sandpaper in order to get rid of the saw marks.
Next, apply some stain or paint to make it more attractive. It is very easy to work with Parawood because of its softness and flexibility. You can choose any type of design you want without worrying too much about the quality of the wood.
We can make various types of parawood furniture for you, whether big or small. We are open for all kinds of renovation projects. Here are some examples of what we can do:
Kitchen furniture.
Parawood is best for cabinets and kitchen tables. You are guaranteed with the best high-quality material for your kitchen. We can also make dining tables, chairs, and other furniture items.
Bathroom furniture.
We offer different wood projects for bedrooms like beds, cabinets, dressers, and wardrobes to make your room look good and stylish. Parawood is best to be used in making these items because of the durability, texture, and appearance it gives.
Office furniture.
Our team can make office desks for you with different designs and styles. Parawood is the best choice for this type of furniture because of its durability. We can also make cabinets, chairs, and other items that will surely add beauty in your office room.
Children’s furniture.
Parawood is the best choice for your kids’ furniture. We have a lot of projects that can be made from this kind of wood like cribs, toys, tables, and chairs. They surely will love our furniture items because of their beauty and softness.
Parawood flooring.
We also offer Parawood flooring that has a very nice and natural texture. You can choose the design you want and we will be glad to deliver it to your location as soon as possible. This type of wood is perfect for commercial spaces and other types of establishments because of its durability, flexibility, and high quality.
Outdoor furniture.
Parawood is great for any type of wooden project that you want because it has high quality, flexibility, and durability. We can create outdoor furniture like benches, tables, and chairs for your outdoor area.
Advantages And Disadvantages of Using Parawood
When you using Parawood you can face a different types of advantages and disadvantages. We are describing some of them below.
Advantages of Using Parawood
Parawood has many benefits for its users. They are very easy to work with because of their softness and flexibility. Parawood is a really strong type of wood that will not break when you put weight on it. Here we are describing some of the benefits of using Parawood.
Durable.
Parawood is the most durable wood in the world. It will never break or bend even when you put weight on it. This type of wood is really strong and solid that is why it can be used to make heavy-duty furniture. It has very great resistance to termites and other insects.
Low Maintenance.
When using Parawood you do not have to use any type of paint or stain. This type of wood is very easy to clean with just simple soap and water. It can be used in commercial places because it has no bad smell when you put weight on it.
Unique Appearance.
If you want your furniture to make a statement in your home, you can use Parawood to make it. This type of wood has a very unique and natural texture that will surely make you fall in love with its appearance.
Soft.
One of the most interesting benefits of this type of wood is its softness. There are different projects that you can make from Parawood and it will not break or chip when you put pressure on it.
Good Shock Absorber.
This type of wood is a good shock absorber. It has a very nice and smooth feel when you touch it with your hands. This type of wood is also very flexible so you can bend it without it breaking.
Disadvantages of Using Parawood
Parawood has its own disadvantages that you need to know before using it. There are some things that you have to consider when using this type of wood for your furniture projects.
Prone To Slippage.
Parawood is prone to slipping and swelling. This type of wood is very soft and that is why it can slip when you put weight on it. It is also very soft and can easily swell when there is too much moisture in the air.
Expensive.
Parawood is a bit expensive than the other types of wood that you can find in the market. This type of wood has unique features that make it distinct from other types of wood.
It Has A Dull Finish.
Para wood is not the right type of wood you can use for furniture with a very bright finish. This type of wood has a dull appearance so it is not advisable to use it for items that you want to have a bright appearance.
Hard Beam.
Parawood has very hard beams which makes it the hardest type of wood in the world especially when working on small projects like cabinets, chairs, tables, and other pieces of furniture. It is really hard to work with this type of wood because it can cause problems especially to people that are not professional carpenters.
Prone To Infestation
Parawood is prone to infestation. There are lots of insects that can easily penetrate this type of wood so it cannot be used for outdoor projects. If you are planning to use this type of wood for your cabinet, you have to make sure that there is no risk of infestation like termites and other bugs.
Even though Parawood has its own disadvantages, it also has its own advantages. When you use this type of wood for your furniture projects, you need to consider the appearance and the material of the furniture first before buying Parawood.
Parawood vs. Other Woods
Now we know that what is Parawood/Rubberwood, its Characteristics, Parawood furniture, advantages, and disadvantages. Now, we know that Parawood vs. other woods. What are the differences between these types of wood and other wood? Here we compare Parawood with Oak, Pine, MDF, Beechwood, and Maple.
Parawood vs. Pine
Parawood is very strong and solid like pinewood. But it is more durable than pinewood when used for commercial purposes. It does not crack when the room temperature changes. This type of wood has a very nice, smooth appearance that can make your workspace look elegant.
Parawood vs. Oak
Parawood is harder than Oakwood. It has a beautiful appearance and it does not have harmful chemicals that can cause cancer. It will not leave any sharp edges on your wood when you cut it. Parawood furniture is more expensive than oak but they last longer and can resist pressure and weight.
Parawood vs. MDF
Parawood furniture is rich in luster and can last for many years. It has a very nice appearance and it does not fade when exposed to the sunlight. MDF does not have a smooth appearance and it can break easily.
Parawood vs. Beechwood
Parawood has no knots if you compare it with beech wood. It is less expensive than beech wood but it can last for a very long time. This type of wood is perfect for cabinets. Beechwood cannot be used for kitchen cabinets because it can rot when exposed to water and other liquids inside the cabinet.
Parawood vs. Maple
Parawood is not in the same class as maple. Maple can resist moisture compared to Parawood. It weighs lighter than maple so it cannot stand heavy pressure. Parawood has a very nice appearance and it is not prone to infestation.
Parawood Vs. Sheesham Wood
Parawood has less weight than Sheesham wood. It is also more resistant to humidity and water than Sheesham. Parawood is highly resistant to fungi and it does not require any maintenance when used for desks, cabinets, and other furniture. Sheesham cannot resist humidity. It can rot when exposed to water for a long time. This type of wood has knots and it is not resistant to insect infestation.
How to Finish Your Parawood
Parawood is very easy to finish. You don’t have to sand the wood first before you apply the finishing coat of paint or varnish. You can use a paint roller to finish your Parawood furniture. You don’t have to sand it down because the wood has a smooth appearance and it looks very nice and attractive.
Para wood is very easy to work with. You don’t have to worry about its durability and appearance because it can resist pressure, you don’t need to sand the wood first before painting or varnishing, and it has a smooth finish. There is no doubt that Parawood is one of the best types of wood in the market these days. As compared to oak, pine, MDF Beech, and Maple, it has better features so don’t forget about this type of wood when you plan on working on your next furniture project at home or in your office
How to Paint Parawood:
When you want to paint your Parawood like rubberwood furniture, to get some things you need like a paintbrush, sandpaper, oil-based primer, and flat paint.
First, you have to prepare your Parawood furniture by removing the top layer of dust and dirt with a clean, damp cloth. If there is a natural layer of wax on the surface, don’t remove it because you need this type of wax if you want to maintain its appearance over time.
You have to paint the entire surface of your Parawood furniture with an oil-based primer. Let it dry for a couple of hours and then you can apply the flat paint that matches your room’s color. You need to apply at least two coats of paint to your Parawood furniture. Some people prefer applying three coats of paint to make sure that the topcoat is very smooth.
How to Stain Parawood
Staining is very easy. You can use the paintbrush to apply the stain on your Parawood furniture. Use oil-based stains if you want a shiny appearance after staining. But make sure that the surface of your Parawood furniture is not glossy because it will prevent the stain from absorbing into the wood.
After applying the stain on your Parawood wood, you have to wipe it off with a clean cloth. You don’t want too dark stains especially if you already applied the flat paint because the stains will not be absorbed by the painted surfaces.
You can make sure that your Parawood furniture has a better finish and has no visible marbles by applying a final coat of varnish.
How to Maintaining Your Parawood
How easily your Parawood furniture can be maintained will depend on the type of finish that you apply to it. It is not hard to maintenance Parawood furniture.
- Every now and then, you have to wipe your Parawood furniture with a damp cloth. Make sure that the cloth is not too wet so it can absorb more dust.
- After wiping the wood furniture, you have to dry it using a clean dry cloth. You can also use a soft brush if there are some stains on the surface of your furniture.
- If there are spills on the surface of the wood, you have to clean it immediately before it absorbs into the wood. Use a clean cloth and make sure that it’s not too wet when you wipe the liquid from the top of your Parawood furniture.
- You can apply some natural waxes or oil-based finishing waxes on the surface of your Parawood furniture to make it more durable and maintain its luster for a long time.
- After polishing, wipe the surface with a clean cloth and let it dry before you store your Parawood furniture in an appropriate place where it won’t be exposed to humidity or water.
Having Parawood furniture is very comfortable because it can be maintained easily. You don’t have to worry about maintaining it especially if you already applied the right finishing wax or oil-based finishing wax.
Some Questions About Parawood
Is Parawood the same as rubber wood?
Not exactly. Parawood is sometimes known as rubber wood, but most people can tell the difference between Parawood and Rubberwood because of its unique color. It has dark brown to black color when it’s polished.
Is Parawood termite-resistant?
Yes, like other types of wood that come from the rubber tree, Parawood is very resistant to termites. It’s a durable wood that can last for years under the right conditions and maintenance.
What is some good Parawood furniture?
You can find many types of Parawood furniture from online sources or from your local hardware stores. For those who want to buy them online, check the product descriptions to see which type of Parawood furniture will fit your needs.
Is Rubberwood the same as solid wood?
Not exactly. Rubber wood is actually the name given to the plantation-grown wood that comes from Para rubber trees.
What wood type is Parawood?
First of all, Parawood is a type of softwood. It’s also known as rubberwood because the original type of Parawood comes from Para rubber trees.
Conclusion
Parawood is a type of softwood. It’s very durable and can be used to make furniture like chairs, tables, and cabinets. It can be stained easily because it has a dark-brown to black color when it’s polished. It’s easy to maintain and it comes from rubber trees, making it termite and water-resistant. You don’t have to worry about scratches or stains on your Parawood furniture because you can easily maintain it. Parawood furniture can be ordered online along with other types of wood furniture.
Parawood is very durable because it’s resistant to termites. It can be stained or glued easily to make different types of furniture. And it’s easy to maintain and clean.
We hope that the information above will help you to learn about what is Parawood and its related others information. Thank you for reading this article. Please share your comment related to this article.
