Rubberwood (Parawood)
Hevea brasiliensis · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon Basin, but widely cultivated in plantations across Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia).
- Hardness
- 960 lbf (Medium Hardness)
- Durability
- Slightly Durable to Non-durable; susceptible to decay, fungal staining, and insect attack if untreated or exposed to moisture.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly interlocked grain with a coarse, open-pored texture and prominent vessel streaks.
Color & Appearance
Light blond to pale cream-tan straw color throughout, showing subtle yellow tones. Low luster with minimal distinction between heartwood and sapwood.
Hardness (Janka)
960 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Slightly Durable to Non-durable; susceptible to decay, fungal staining, and insect attack if untreated or exposed to moisture.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.00 - $6.00 per board foot (typically sold as finished edge-glued panels or ready-to-assemble furniture components).
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern processing, likely 1 to 10 years old from manufacture, harvested from plantation trees at the end of their latex-producing lifecycle (~25-30 years old).
- Sustainability Status
- Highly Sustainable / Eco-friendly. Harvested as a secondary crop from latex plantations after latex yield drops; not CITES listed and classified as Least Concern on IUCN Red List.
Common Uses
Mass-produced flat-pack furniture, cabinetry, edge-glued panels, cutting boards, interior millwork, and turned woodenware.
Geographic Origin
Native to the Amazon Basin, but widely cultivated in plantations across Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia).
Workability
Easy to machine, plane, turn, glue, and sand. Can exhibit minor tearout on interlocked grain sections and slightly dull tools due to residual latex content.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains and clear finishes well. Gel stains are recommended to avoid blotchiness; seals well with polyurethane, lacquer, or mineral oil/wax if used for food-safe applications.
Notable Features
Virtually always seen constructed as laminated edge-glued strips (finger-jointed or butchered block panels) to maximize yield from small plantation logs; lightweight to medium weight with uniform coarse pore structure.