Whitewood Uses and the Advantages & Disadvantages
The scientific name of the whitewood tree is Liriodendron tulipifera.
It is a tulip tree, but people prefer whitewood, especially in the lumber industry.
This species generally grows in eastern North America.
It comes with creamy white color and a clean appearance.
There are several whitewoods uses, as seen below.
Whitewood Uses for Indoors
Whitewood is one of the most common lumbers in carpentry. You can use it to build into any furniture or simply for flooring.
Furniture
One thing you should know about whitewood is its versatility.
You can transform it into almost anything. That’s what people love about it.
You can use it to build kitchen or coffee tables, cabinets, or cupboards.
It is also strong enough to make something large and weight-bearing like beds.
Besides big structures, it is versatile to make small pieces, like the handle of knives.
Furthermore, the light tone and beautiful texture can add special effects to your furniture. Also, the material is durable and able to last for a long time.
Flooring
Another popular use of this wood is flooring.
Flooring with this material can provide you some benefits.
Its light tone gives a nice look to the floor.
It also fits better in modern decor than dark wood.
Moreover, with its light color, the room will seem bigger and airier.
This is a great option, especially for small spaces.
Is Whitewood Good for Outdoors?
Whitewood has good resistance to termites.
Nonetheless, it is not the best option for outdoor applications.
If you want to make outdoor furniture, you need to do some additional treatment like coating. Also, you need to set them on a concrete surface to prevent rotting at the bottom part.
Additionally, whitewood can absorb water well. Thus, it is not good when your furniture is exposed to rain.
The coating may help to some extent. But, we still recommend you to keep them out of rain whenever possible.
Other Usage
Besides building material, whitewood is also good for health. Some people use it to extract the oil known as whitewood oil. It is an aromatic and therapeutic oil that can give you many benefits, as listed below.
- It can relieve nausea
- It has anti-bacterial properties
- It can lower your body temperature during fever
- It may solve your hair problems
- It boosts blood circulation in your entire body
- It is safe to use for babies
Advantages and Disadvantages of Whitewood Uses
Before purchasing whitewood as your furniture or flooring material, it is better to know the advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Whitewood
Here are the advantages of whitewood which you might like.
- It is quite light in weight which will ease you in using it
- It comes with a really affordable price. In fact, this is one of the cheapest materials you can choose
- It has a smooth surface which makes it easier to paint
- It is available in most material shops. So, you can easily find and buy it anywhere
- It has good resistance to termites as well as fire
- Its beautiful light color will enhance the appearance of your furniture
Disadvantages of Whitewood
These are the disadvantages of whitewood you might want to a lookout.
- Since it absorbs paint well, you might want to do it with caution. Otherwise, your project using this material will be ruined
- It is definitely not for outdoor uses. But, if you insist on using this wood, make sure to coat it with sealing properties for protection
- It can absorb water really well too which will cause it to warp or bow
So, that’s all about whitewood uses. In summary, this is the best option for indoor uses.
It will give a striking look to your home decor. And, it does not require preservative treatment since it will last long enough, thanks to its termite resistance.
On the other hand, it is not best used for outdoor applications.
It will easily get damaged due to weather exposure.
The coating may help extend its lifespan, but we do not recommend it for outdoor furniture or other uses.
