Ageless, timeless and elegant; are the words which describe wooden furniture specially made up of Sheesham wood. Also when it comes to wooden furniture, we watch our parents discussing the different types of wood used to make furniture.
The discussion mainly involves the location of the origin of the wood. All this is because furniture made from these woods being non-living things create the memories around it. To create more long-lasting memories let’s know more about these woods.
WHAT IS SHEESHAM WOOD
Sheesham trees are most famously known as “North Indian Rosewood”. The scientific name for Sheesham is “DALBERGIA SISSOO”. Wood is classified into Softwood and Hardwood on the basis of their characteristics. Sheesham wood comes under the classification of hardwood.
Where do Sheesham Trees Grow?
The Sheesham plant grows in areas where the temperature ranges from 10 degree Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius. These plants can’t withstand drought situations for more than three months and need maximum rainfall of 2000 mm maximum annually.
For a Sheesham plant to mature it takes 22 years. By then it attains a height of about 30 meters. Sheesham has two types:
- Sheesham sapwood: These are the outer layers of tree drunk and it is better to avoid this wood for making furniture.
- Sheesham hardwood: This is the inner part of the tea trunk which has more strength, resistance to termites and durability. Sheesham hardwood is highly recommended for furniture purposes.
Many times, the name Sheesham itself gives enough assurance to the customers and they end up purchasing furniture without looking for further details of the wooden material. Sometimes customers have complaints of wood boring beetles present in their furniture.
Furniture made from sapwood Sheesham invites such complaints. So while purchasing furniture online, customers should confirm the type of Sheesham wood used for furniture purposes.
When we see loads of wood or just the name wood, the colour in mind comes is brown and it becomes difficult to distinguish wood.
The trick to identifying Sheesham wood is its reddish-brown shade and the presence of dark veins. This wood can be easily hand waxed, which provides a smooth finish.
Also read about Kadappa Stone
USES OF SHEESHAM WOOD
- Sheesham wood is used for making furniture like beds, dining tables, cupboards, windows and doors.
- These woods resonate very artistically, hence it is used for making musical instruments.
- Sheesham wood is preferred over teak wood for carving purposes because of more flexibility.
- This wood is also used as a fuel alternative for heating and cooking food.
- Sheesham is also used in boats, agriculture tools and sports purposes.
BENEFITS OF SHEESHAM WOOD
- Interlocked grains of Sheesham wood provide strength and durability to furniture.
- The low maintenance and termite-resistance features of this wood enhance its demand in the market.
- Being flexible and dense at the same time makes it the first choice for carving.
- Resistant to natural deterioration provides furniture longevity and is worth the money invested for furniture.
- Easy to work on machines for finishing which provides craftsmen and customers with a better experience
DISADVANTAGES
- Sheesham is not resistant to moisture and water damage shall be avoided by creating a protective layer.
- Sheesham wood though termite-resistant is not resistant to beetles.
- Furniture of Sheesham is not good for outdoor purposes as direct sunlight and the presence of fire space nearby should be avoided.
Another ALTERNATIVE
Alternative to Sheesham wood is teak wood; often referred to as sagaun in India. Teak wood has a good density which adds better strength and longevity to the furniture made from this. This characteristic makes it another famous wood for furniture.
Teak wood is highly preferable for heavy furniture. Teak wood has high oil content which makes it resistant towards:
- Fungi
- Moisture
- Termites
This feature makes teak wood a good option for humid areas. The higher density of teak wood makes it the “King of Hardwoods”. One of the disadvantages of teak wood is, its high density makes it not a good option for carving purposes.
Teak wood is listed on the endangered species list because of over-exploitation which is making it unsustainable. There are many countries that do not allow teak wood harvesting and marketing.
MAINTENANCE OF SHEESHAM WOOD FURNITURE
- Sheesham wood furniture should be protected from moisture and extreme humidity changes.
- Hot products like tea and coffee mug should be placed on coasters and direct connection should be avoided.
- Perfumes and Chemicals should not be used nearby Sheesham wood furniture.
- This furniture should not be exposed to direct sunlight (heat).
CONCLUSION
Sheesham wood and teak wood both are famous for their premium quality furniture. The higher cost of teak wood and regulations involved in many countries for its availability is the issue which makes it risky.
Features of Sheesham wood make it the first choice of customers to make furniture. While making decisions customers should always enquire about:
- The legality of the source from which wood is arriving.
- The type of wood used actually to avoid confusion under similarities of appearance and name.
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