Although oak and rubber wood differ by only one letter, their materials, performance and prices are significantly different. Due to the high price of oak furniture, some merchants will use rubber wood as inferior products. The following analyzes the difference between the two from multiple dimensions and provides practical identification methods to help consumers avoid pitfalls.
1. Wood grain and texture: the most intuitive distinguishing point
Oak:
The most notable feature of oak is the clear mountain-shaped wood grain (or "rain pattern"), the texture is straight and coherent, and even presents a ray structure similar to a handprint or tree branch. The clearer the wood grain of high-quality oak, the higher the value.
Example: White oak is often used in high-end furniture or wine barrels because of its elegant texture; red oak is more used in floors and furniture.
Rubber wood:
The texture of rubber wood is disordered, reticular or diagonal, without obvious mountain-shaped patterns, and the annual rings are blurred. Some merchants will cover up its texture defects by painting.
2. Color and appearance: Differences in depth and coating
Oak:
Natural oak is darker in color, mostly yellow-brown or reddish-brown, with obvious color difference between heartwood and sapwood. Due to the coarse wood, some oak furniture will be painted with dark paint to enhance the texture, but the unpainted parts can still show fine wood grain.
Rubberwood:
Rubberwood is lighter in color, light yellow-brown, and the overall color is uniform, with few spots or black spots. In order to imitate oak, merchants often dye or paint it, but careful observation can still find traces of chaotic texture.
3. Weight and hardness: obvious difference in feel
Oak:
Oak has high density and hard texture, and the finished furniture is heavy. The heavier it is in a dry state, the better the quality. For example, the hardness and stability of North American red oak make it the first choice for high-end furniture.
Rubberwood:
Rubberwood has a softer texture, a light feel, and lacks a sense of pressure. Even after treatment, its hardness and wear resistance are still inferior to oak.
4. Material and performance: Durability comparison
Oak:
Oak is corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, has high mechanical strength and long service life. However, the drying process is complicated, and oak furniture that is not completely dehydrated is prone to deformation.
Rubber wood:
Rubber wood is susceptible to moisture, decay, and insect infestation, and has a high sugar content. Wood that has not been treated with mildew prevention may turn blue or sour. However, it is cheap, and chemically treated rubber wood furniture can also meet daily use.
5. Price and market: Beware of "word games"
Oak:
The growth cycle of oak is as long as a hundred years, and resources are scarce. Imported oak (such as North American red oak and white oak) is expensive, about 4-5 times that of rubber wood.
Rubber wood:
Rubber trees can be mature in 10 years, with low cost, and are mostly produced in Southeast Asia. Merchants may claim that "rubber wood is the abbreviation of oak", which is actually misleading.
6. Practical identification skills
Look at the texture:
Directly observe the unpainted part, oak has a continuous mountain pattern, and rubber wood has a messy texture.
Weighing:
Moving furniture parts (such as drawers), oak is obviously heavier.
Observing with a magnifying glass:
Cut off a small piece of wood, the oak tube pores are small and the wood rays are in the shape of a handprint; the rubber wood tube pores are thick and the wood rays are in the shape of a net.
Smell:
Rubber wood may have a sour smell, while oak has no pungent odor.
Conclusion
Oak furniture is known for its beautiful texture and high durability, suitable for consumers who pursue quality; rubber wood furniture is cost-effective, but it needs to be treated with moisture-proof. When purchasing, be sure to ask the merchant to indicate the type of wood in the contract and keep the voucher to protect your rights. By comprehensively observing the texture, weight and details, consumers can effectively avoid the trap of selling inferior goods as good ones.
