Parawood, also known as “rubberwood,” was originally found in Brazil by early 1600s explorers. Indigenous tribes in Brazil used the trees’ sap to make sport balls. Explorers were intrigued by the sap’s properties, and so brought the seeds back to Europe with them. Rubber trees were eventually found to grow quite well in Asian French Indochina, Hynan Island off of China’s coast, and Thailand. As with many maples, rubberwood produces sap, and that specifically produces rubber. Rubber tapping it is a useful economic lifespan of the tree, and traditionally, the so-called “useless” tree was then burned. However, it can also be farmed as lumber, which means it’s sustainable, a paramount feature.
Rubberwood is in fact the most ecologically friendly lumber used in the furniture industry today. Other woods, of course, are cut down just for the purpose of producing wood furniture, but rubberwood is only used after it completes its rubber producing cycle, usually 18 to 25 years long, and dies. Therefore, the wood is eco-friendly in just about every sense. This tree does not go to waste for its entire lifecycle. Rubberwood is taken from the pararubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), also often called the “rubber tree.” Rubberwood is also called parawood in Thailand, and is used in furniture production for more high-end pieces, since it has a dense grain, an attractive color, minimal shrinkage, and accepts different finishes easily. Because it’s also environmentally friendly as a wood, it uses trees that have been cut down at the end of their lives, making it much more attractive.
Oftentimes, rubberwood is misunderstood as a particular species of wood used specifically in the furniture industry. The term “rubberwood” also encourages a number of misconceptions in regard to durability and features. However, it is a type of hardwood and it’s used in the manufacture of home furnishings. It’s particularly durable and is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family. Rubberwood has a dense grain that can be easily controlled when it’s kiln dried. It shrinks very little, which means it’s very stable as a construction material, one of the most stable in furniture manufacturing for from dining room tables to wood bookcases.
Rubberwood lumber is very amenable to many different types and colors of wood finishes, meaning that it can mimic oak, rosewood, or other more expensive lumbers. This can actually create confusion as to the type of wood used in a particular furnishing. Rubber produced from rubber trees did have a propensity to rot, but once vulcanization was perfected, the production of rubber was increased for bicycle tire use. Later on, car tires’ manufacture also needed massive quantities of rubber trees. In fact, during World War II, so many tires were required that eventually the United States needed to substitute synthetic materials for rubber. Production continued to fall until about 1960, when rubberwood was discovered as a hidden resource. It’s almost as hard as oak and has a very nice grain, which makes it perfect as a furniture wood.
For the most part, the rubber from rubber trees is now mostly used for condoms, rubber erasers, and rubber gloves. To finish rubberwood, it’s the same as any other fine hardwood. The secret is to finish with even sanding. The smoother you sand the wood, the lighter and smoother the finish tends to be. Don’t use your vision to determine whether or not the surface is smooth enough. Instead, use your hands and feel the entire surface, making sure there are no rough spots. Sand with a clean hand or using a sand block with the entire piece. It’s quick and easy to do if your technique is organized and you use 150 grit. Sand with the grain as well.