Imbuia Wood Uses, Properties, Advantages, and Disadvantages

What is Imbuia wood?

It is a wood from Southern Brazil and is sometimes called Brazilian Walnut. The Imbuia tree can reach 130 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of 5-6 feet.

Imbuia wood is considered durable in its resistance to rot, but its resistance to insect attack is on a different level.

This wood has a dark color with an appearance of irregular figured. These figures sometimes appear as slightly transparent blotches.

Not only that but imbuia wood is also reported to have good weathering properties. Some of the common uses are veneers, furniture, turned objects, and others.

The properties of imbuia wood

Imbuia has a very varied color of heartwood wood. However, whatever the color, it tends to be dark. In contrast, the sapwood is light grayish-yellow.

Some trees may have valuable burls. This wood also has a straight grain, although there is also a wild figure. Fine to medium texture and good natural luster.

In resistance to rot, imbuia is rated as durable. However, this is only wood that is sufficiently resistant to insect attack. This wood is also easy to work, and has a characteristic odor, and can cause skin, nose, and throat irritation.

Advantages of Imbuia wood

Durable: It is a wood that has several good characteristics, including its durability. This wood is reported to be durable against decay.

That is an advantage that provides advantages in use. Some wood laying that has the potential to accelerate the decay process can be handled better.

However, imbuia wood only has moderate resistance to insect attack. That’s not bad news, but we think some types of use and ground contact are best avoided.

That might make this wood break down faster than usual. Indoor use is recommended to maintain its durability. But outdoor It can also be done.

Easy to work: Can work well with machine and hand tools. However, some challenges may occur during the process. For example, irregular and wild grains are more difficult to work.

That’s why sharp cutters are necessary here to speed up, simplify, and so that the work process goes well.

It seems like you have to look up information about the silica content. Because if you don’t know, your preparation is less than perfect.

It might have high content and have a fatal effect on the cutter. The imbuia wood glues well, turns, and finishes well.

Moderately priced: The price must vary according to the appearance that can be obtained. Imbuia with a plain appearance is in the moderate range.

While the unique figure can be more expensive. The sale may be made in various sizes.

Since there are so many common uses for this wood, some figured is needed according to the usage.

We thought that if there were a burl, it would be much more expensive and wildly figured it seems to be too. Processing is not a problem in this case, as some people may sell it as a finished product.

Disadvantages of Imbuia wood

Vulnerable: Imbuia is a plant listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

The reason is that during the last three generations, there has been a population decline of more than 20%. This is caused by exploitation and decreasing natural range.

However, the species which has the scientific name Ocotea porosa is not listed in the CITES Appendices.

Although there has not been a significant reduction, it seems that increasing awareness of nature is still necessary to keep the imbuia population abundant.

Restrictions on logging or trade seem necessary. That might increase the population in the next few generations.

Imbuia wood for furniture

You can make several types of furniture such as tables, chairs, and beds from imbuia wood. We thought the table wasn’t great for several reasons, but the chair and bed were a perfect choice.

Imbuia with a wild look is quite complex and irregular.

It is not ideal if used as a table. While the chairs and others have no problem with it. Its resistance to decay is good, although it is quite resistant to insect attack.

It seems like this could last for a few years, and maybe even decades.

Imbuia wood for cabinetry

Not only furniture but also cabinetry is a common use of imbuia wood. Although this is related to furniture, we put it at a different point because it requires some explanation.

One of the advantages of imbuia is its resistance to rot. It’s ideal for cabinetry, especially kitchen cabinetry which is usually placed in a place with high humidity levels.

Such places seem to speed up the rotting process and are very bad for wood with low rot resistance. That is the main reason, and another reason is good appearance, especially If you maintain a natural look.

Imbuia wood for flooring

Although its resistance to insect attack and rot is not at a high level, this wood is commonly used as flooring.

We think this is not for the flooring of a country house or a house in a forest area, but an urban house with a luxurious appearance.

Because we think the durability is just good for that. Imbuia will display beautiful and charming flooring, especially if the natural luster is enhanced.

Easy to work seems to be easier in that case because it doesn’t require more complex work. Perhaps only the tools quality that matters.

Imbuia wood for veneer

The need for veneer is quite significant because it’s widely used in furniture making, decoration, and others. That’s why most common wood is used for this.

Veneer also doesn’t require wood with special specifications or certain requirements that the majority of wood has.

We think it’s a wise choice to use imbuia as a veneer. Their beautiful looks, especially the wildly patterned ones, can make anything you’re layering look like.

This is a great choice if you have low-value furniture that wants to look luxurious, even though imbuia is not a very expensive exotic wood.

Imbuia wood for boatbuilding

Imbuia wood is a common wood for boatbuilding. The wood quality as hardwood is indeed good for that. It can be the main wood or just as a supporting wood.

But we think the right choice is just as support wood, even though it has resistance to rot. It seems like it could substitute cedar and oak, although we think the quality is different.

The imbuia appearance is also one of the advantages and an attraction for some people. However, we don’t know yet about imbuia’s flexibility qualities for boatbuilding, although we think it’s pretty good.

Imbuia wood for gunstocks

Another use of imbuia wood is as gunstocks. These can be gunstocks with an attractive appearance and may be different from the usual.

This wood has a medium to fine texture, and it may be useful enough to increase comfort. You can also count on its resistance to damage, and it seems like it can be stored anywhere safely.

However, we don’t know about the density yet. Because if it has a high density, it can be quite a problem when working on it. But we think it’s easy overall, including working on gunstocks.

Imbuia wood for turned objects

Turned objects are the last option we recommend.

It can be a great wood if you work it right. You can make several turned objects for decorations, toys, or useful items.

Not only that, but the turned objects that you create can also have high artistic value, especially if they have wild or burl patterns. It seems this is not high-density wood.

That’s why you don’t need to worry during the process. Don’t forget to do careful planning, especially in choosing the appearance of wood, even though it may cost more.