Hevea wood, commonly known as rubberwood, comes from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). The tree is best known as a source of natural latex, but its timber is also used for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and household products. Hevea has a light, even appearance and is relatively easy to work with. Its main limitation is low … Read more
Curupay wood flooring is known for its bold grain, reddish-brown color, and exceptional hardness. It can bring a distinctive look to a room and handle everyday wear well, but it is dense, can be challenging to install, and is not waterproof. Here’s what to know about Curupay flooring—including its benefits, limitations, installation, maintenance, and cost—before … Read more
“Locust wood” can refer to lumber from more than one tree species. In the United States, it most often means black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) or honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos). Both are hard, strong woods, but they differ in color, decay resistance, availability, and common uses. Knowing which species you’re buying matters, especially for outdoor projects. … Read more
HDPE wood is a lumber-like material made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a type of plastic. Despite the name, it is not natural wood: most HDPE lumber contains no wood fibers. Manufacturers shape the plastic into boards that can be used for outdoor furniture, benches, decking, fencing, and other products. Some HDPE lumber is made with … Read more
No. HDPE and Polywood are related, but they are not the same thing. HDPE is a type of plastic called high-density polyethylene. POLYWOOD® is a brand of outdoor furniture made from HDPE lumber. The word “polywood” is also sometimes used informally for similar plastic lumber products. So, HDPE describes the material, while POLYWOOD usually refers … Read more
Unsealed wood floors have no protective coating to keep spills and dirt from soaking into the boards. That makes them more vulnerable to stains, water damage, and scratches than sealed floors. The safest way to clean them is to remove dust while dry and use as little moisture as possible for spots. If you’re unsure … Read more