Futon manufacturers use a variety of wood types for quality construction of their products, but the majority of futons are made with wood from Indonesia. Indonesian wood products are used in dozens of industries around the world, and have become a leading source for high quality wood that can last for decades. The wood is derived from the rubberwood tree, and as demand for this quality wood continues to grow, new plantation areas in Southeast Asia are being cultivated at a rapid pace. Approximately 90% of tropical precious wood plantations are located in Southeast Asia, and Indonesia continues to be one of the world’s leading exporters of high quality hardwoods.
Indonesia’s rainforests cover over 143 million hectares of the country, and a large portion of this region remains today as a closed canopy forest. Nature reserves and parks are well-protected by the Indonesian government, but some country’s have obtained logging rights to use these valuable forests as a resource for timber and wood. Logging restrictions were introduced in the early 19th century, but many countries have found ways to export this high quality wood by working with various rules and regulations. The rubber tree from Indonesia is the key resource for hardwood, and it is considered to be one of the most favorable types of wood for carpentry, building, and furniture-making.
Wood can be classified as either hardwood or softwood, and each type offers various benefits. Common sources of wood for furniture and art include:
- Balsa
- Honduras Mahogany
- White Meranti
- Pau Marfim
- Nyatoh
Still, Indonesian wood is preferred by most futon manufacturers for a variety of reasons. Indonesian wood is lightweight but solid, and is especially valuable to futon manufacturers because of its quality and workability. It can be carved and molded into a variety of shapes and sizes, and gives futons a rich and natural finish. The wood is a cost-effective choice for home furniture, and can last for decades with high quality construction.
Rubber wood produces a medium-dense timber that is easy to bend and stain, and it is often used as a replacement for traditional timber. It is one of the most important export timbers in Southeast Asia, and is considered to be environmentally friendly since it is actually a byproduct of many agricultural projects. Today, the total exports are approaching almost $1 billion dollars, with teak serving as an important source of income for a variety of families and communities.
Examples of beautiful Indonesian wood futons include the Aspen Futon Frame, Marin Futon Frame, and the Manila Futon Frame.
Posted on January 18th, 2008 by aaron
Filed under: Futon News
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