Best Desk for Your Office: Rubberwood or Bamboo?
Choosing the right desk material is crucial.
You want something durable, eco-friendly, and easy on the eyes.
Two popular options for office desks are rubberwood and bamboo. But which one is better? This comprehensive guide will help you decide.
| Feature | Rubberwood | Bamboo |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Strong | Stronger |
| Texture | Coarse | Smooth |
| Maintenance | Easy to use | Easy |
| Shock-Absorb | Good | Average |
| Eco-Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | Moderate | Variable |
| Strength | Hard | Harder |
| Aesthetics | Limited time | Varied |
| Resistance | Sensitive | Stable |
If you want a desk that's hard and feels good to touch, go for rubberwood. If you are looking for something incredibly durable and versatile, bamboo is the way to go.
What is Rubberwood?
Contents
Rubberwood comes from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, found mainly in Southeast Asia. These trees are tapped for latex sap for many years before they're turned into furniture. Rubberwood is eco-friendly, as it makes use of trees that have finished their latex-producing cycle.
Durability
Rubberwood is hard and durable. It's often compared to soft maple in terms of hardness. It's great for indoor use, but not ideal for outdoor settings.
Texture
The texture of rubberwood is coarse, but it feels good to touch. It's a great material for desks in bedrooms or living rooms.
Maintenance
Rubberwood is easy to maintain. You don't need special cleaners to keep it looking new. However, it can be sensitive to moisture.
Shock Absorption
Rubberwood has excellent shock-absorbing properties. This makes it a good choice for people who might be prone to bumping into their desks.
What is Bamboo?
Bamboo is technically a grass but is often used as a wood substitute. It's known for its quick growth rate and high yield, making it a sustainable choice.
Durability
Bamboo is incredibly durable. It's even used to make cutting boards, which need to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Strength
Bamboo has a tensile strength of 28,000 pounds per square inch, compared to steel's 23,000. This makes bamboo desks incredibly sturdy.
Aesthetic Choices
Bamboo offers a wide range of styles, designs, and finishes. It's versatile and can fit into various home decors.
Resistance to Change
Unlike many woods, bamboo doesn't shrink or swell due to atmospheric changes. This makes it a reliable material for long-term use.
Rubberwood vs Bamboo
Color Differences
Bamboo has a natural blonde color, while rubberwood is more straw-colored. Bamboo can also be "carbonized" to achieve a darker shade.
Durability
Both materials are durable, but bamboo is more resilient to daily use and even knife cuts. Rubberwood is hard but not ideal for outdoor use.
Maintenance
Rubberwood requires less maintenance but is sensitive to moisture. Bamboo is also low-maintenance and can withstand atmospheric changes better.
Eco-Friendliness
Both materials are eco-friendly. Rubberwood repurposes old latex-producing trees, while bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource.
Cost
Rubberwood is generally cheaper than solid hardwood but may be more expensive than bamboo, depending on the quality.
Hi there, I’m Sam Billings, and I’m all about sustainability. Running a printing business is my thing, but my real passion is preserving nature. That’s why I run the Live Health blog, where I focus on Bamboo plants and their eco-friendly goodness.
