Rubberwood vs. Bamboo: Which is Better for an Office Desk?

We love bamboo, and that's why we added sustainable sourced and treated bamboo to our desktop options. The Moso species bamboo is selected for its quick growth rate, sturdiness, and ease of reproduction, which makes it one of Mother Earth's most reproducible materials. Despite being technically a grass, bamboo reeds grow back at an incredibly fast rate, which makes this an environmentally friendly rubberwood vs. bamboo desktop material you can feel good about working with. 

There is a reason why rubberwood is becoming increasingly popular as a sustainable wood desk. Eco-friendly wood is made from recycled rubber trees, repurposed from retired trees after producing rubber sap for decades; the craftsmen then transform this wood into beautiful desk materials tops that you'll surely enjoy for years to come. This top is just as durable as our other sustainable desktops, and it looks like real wood. So, is rubberwood sustainable?

What is Rubberwood?

Our rubber tops for wood standing desks begin as Hevea Brasiliensis trees on Southeast Asian rubberwood plantations. The wood is hardened and given its subtle luster through decades of being tapped for its prized latex "sap" before being repurposed into our bamboo sit-stand desk. With their up-cycled tops, you get the luxurious look and feel you expect from solid wood tops while helping the environment at the same time.

Bamboo Materials

There are marketing claims that bamboo is harder than oak or hardwood (a hardwood is defined as a tree that sheds its leaves during winter). To create hard wood-like planks, bamboo is glued together with alternating horizontal and vertical grain players, applying massive amounts of energy and chemicals in the process. Once it is routed and sanded to the desired top shape of a compact desk, it is then laminated with clear sealants to make it rigid and glossy. The combined cross-grained plywood (pictured at the top of the page) becomes hardwood when it is encapsulated in these final lamination stages.

Rubberwood vs. Bamboo: Which is Better?

Color differences

Flooring and furniture made from bamboo look beautiful because of its natural blonde color and distinctive knots and joints. Bamboo is often marketed as "carbonized," but it is simply heated to change its color to a darker shade. By using the term "carbonized," one might be led to believe that the product adds hardening properties. Carbonized means that it has a darker color.

Durability

The rubberwood is hard compared to the soft maple. There are brown streaks on the desk top only, and it is straw-colored. It is impossible to distinguish between sapwood and heartwood in terms of color. The texture of Rubber Wood is coarse, and the grain is straight on the small desk top only. Even though this wood has been chemically treated to get a stable glass table top desks appearance, it cannot be used outdoors. Despite its enormous pores, this wood is suitable for use in the interior, even though its surface may be rough.

Soft textured

When you step on rubberwood desk materials after a hectic work schedule, it can be very relaxing to touch. Bedrooms, playrooms, and living rooms are ideal places to use them because of this feature. In order to prevent damage to wooden furniture, ensure it is kept in a cool and dry place.

Long-lasting

The properties of bamboo desk materials include robustness, resilience, and durability. The tree is chemically treated before it is used as timber, making it tough and providing a stable exterior surface. It can last a good 20 years if you treat it well.

Low maintenance

In order to maintain its natural sheen, rubberwood does not require fancy sprays or ointments. Wood like this is referred to as one of the most cost-effective timbers, even though it is susceptible to moisture and can shrink when exposed to water.

Great shock absorber

Due to its shock-absorbing properties, rubberwood is used in gyms. With its excellent cushioning, you are less likely to suffer an injury during intense workouts. Compared to carpeting, bamboo wood flooring is ideal for elderly people since it reduces joint stress and relaxes muscles.

Durability

Furniture made from bamboo can withstand daily use. In comparison to traditional hardwoods, it is much more resilient to damage. Cutting boards are even made of bamboo because they can withstand recurrent knife use as well as remain striking, and they are placid on knife sharp edges than in several other kinds of wood. It's useful if you intend to use your bamboo chair frequently.

Strength

Bamboo desk material has a 28,000 pounds / square inch tensile strength, while that of steel is 23,000 pounds. Composite materials can also be strengthened with bamboo fibers. In order for bamboo to be so strong, what is that secret? There is no other vegetation that grows straight like bamboo. "Knuckles" exist in the bamboo, but they are dense and consistent and do not weaken its structure. Laminating bamboo enhances its strength and provides additional protection against corrosion. Furniture made of bamboo is sturdier than other types of furniture in a home. Bamboo furniture is actually more resilient than wood furniture, so don't think of it like you're settling on a noble cause.

Choice

There are several choices concerning bamboo wood furniture. You can find more options in bamboo wood than almost any other wood in terms of style, design, or finish.

Does not shrink or swell

Due to atmospheric changes, most of the other furniture woods will shrink and swell. Bamboo wood can withstand these changes very well.