Various types of wood in Indonesia are known as the main material for making furniture, even if only as a frame or its beauty exposed. Its quality depends on the lignification process (wooding) which makes wood malleable, hard, waterproof, insulating, or durable. As a material which able to display natural character strongly, add the aesthetics and comfort of the ambience, various types and models of furniture can be made from various types of wood. What types of wood are usually used to make furniture, even today?
Teak Wood, a Type of Strong and Elegant Wood
This premium type of wood from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia is very well known for its strength, stability, and the beauty of the wood grain. This wood is the main choice for interior and exterior product materials that resistant to mold, termites, and not susceptible to time. But unfortunately, this wood is rare enough to make it expensive. The oil coating on the water-resistant makes teak wood look shiny and durable. Its reddish brown color will turn light brown when exposed to sunlight. Maintenance is easy because it is impact resistant, anti-bacterial, and not easily brittle. The thick fiber also makes it easier to work on furniture.
Beautiful Red Mahogany
The wood alaso called as Swietenia mahagoni, has hard texture with fine pores which makes it good for making furniture. Furniture craftsmen prefer this type of wood over teak. In its intact form of logs, mahogany wood is cheaper than teak wood. However, after processed into furniture, the price is more expensive. The beauty of this wood is its natural reddish color inside and dark brown with grooved scales on the outside.
The fine wood grain produces beautiful motifs and textures after finishing process. The wood cross-section is very stable with good shrinkage and deformation strength. The low natural oil content allows mahogany wood finished with duco paint without leaving yellowish stains like teak wood. Unfortunately, mahogany wood is susceptible to pests and must baked before processed into furniture.
Merbau Wood, Strong and Stable Furniture Making Material
The texture which is quite hard and stable is the reason for choosing merbau wood as an alternative to teak. This type of wood is still expensive because it has almost no disadvantages. Finishing with melamine or dark varnish makes it look more charming, showing the beauty of modern furniture designs.
Termite Resistant Camphor Wood
The distinctive aroma makes this wood easy to identify. Strong against insect and termite attacks, and lighter than teak, are the advantages of this type of wood which is affordable. The fine wood fibers make camphor wood look beautiful if processed properly.
Bangkirai Wood, Types of Wood for Exterior Furniture
Weather resistance makes this type of wood suitable for exterior use. This popular wood used in Indonesia offers a number of advantages. Its excellent durability makes the house look charming for longer. Often known as Yellow Balau because of its distinctive brownish yellow color, the length of the wood can reach 40 meters with a diameter of 120 cm.
Unfortunately, bangkirai wood is heavier than teak wood and has a high potential for cracking. But there is no need to worry, this crack can be repaired with putty or wood filler and will not reduce its strength.
The wood that owned by the Ministry of Forestry has strength levels of class I and II, almost on par with teak. With durability class I, II and III, this wood has excellent resistance to extreme weather.
Even it is heavier than teak, bangkirai wood is easy to plan, carve and cut, so it is the craftsmen favorite wood to processed into various exterior products. The wood has best durability and no less than teak wood, priced much more economically and is the perfect solution to present a natural concept housing without spending too much budget.
–sh
