There are probably as many reasons to choose a sustainable wood for home construction, designing, or furniture as there are plenty of types of trees on earth.
Yes!
An eco-friendly, sustainable, low-maintenance, and affordable wood should be your top priority.
And today, we are here with a detailed guide of such durable, outstanding, and easy-to-work-with, The Mango Wood.
So, let’s dig in and find out why you should consider mango tree wood for your home needs.
Table of Contents
Mango Wood
Mango wood is obtained from the mango tree native to Southeast Asia (Myanmar & India) or Hawaii but can also be found in tropical areas like Australia, Brazil, and Mexico.
It is a perfect alternative to furniture woods like Mahogany, Maple, and Oak as it has 1100 lb (4893 N) Janka hardness.
So, what is mango wood?
Mangifera Indica, a flowering plant species of Anacardiaceae or cashew family, is mainly known to produce the sweet fruit mango.
However, the tree can be converted to get durable and sustainable wood after it has completed its fruit-bearing time.
Now that we know what solid mango wood is and where it came from. It’s time to find out what makes mango tree wood so special? And what characteristics are making it so popular in the timber and lumber industry?
Mango Wood Properties
There are several reasons why mango wood is the favorite and go-to priority of most homeowners when renovating or revamping their home space. Let’s read some of them:
1. Eco-Friendly & Sustainable
Mango tree wood is considered extremely sustainable and eco-friendly as it is harvested only after the tree has finished its lifespan for producing fruits.
So, only matured trees are used to obtain wood that soon will become barren. Yes, no mango trees are harmed for getting mango wood!
Its high sustainability and environment-friendliness make it a top wood choice for home furniture for people who take the earth seriously.
Note: Click to read sustainability quotes for earth day to get motivated, encouraged, and inspired.
2. Great Useability
Although it is hardwood, the workability of mango wood is still high comparing to other traditional materials.
Yes! You don’t need any professional tools to work with this tree wood. Moreover, it can take nails, glue, and screws without much cracking or splinter.
Pro-Tip: Use multifunctional drill bits to avoid wasting material while conveniently drilling holes into wood.
3. Different Color Patterns
Another reason for the popularity of mango wood is the variation of color (gray, yellow, or rarely pink) and patterns (sanded and darker or lighter appearance) it gives based on its finishing or spalting.
However, how dark the pattern will depend on the wood stain used for finishing.
4. High Durability
Mango wood is converted from the broad-leaved and slow-growing mango trees. Its slabs are strong and dense, which explains its higher durability.
However, mango wood durability can be prolonged with a protective finish.
5. Inexpensive
It is relatively an affordable and cheaper option comparing to Oak or Mahogany hardwood. Yes! For Instance, one-inch-thick mango wood can be found easily for a price range between $5 to $15.
6. Low Maintenance
Mango food furniture only requires to be cleaned with a moist and soft cloth to remove the dust off of it. You can also use wax to avoid drying out the furniture.
(We will discuss its maintenance later in our guide.)
With all such amazing facts, mango wood has been used in making furniture and other household items, which we have listed in our next section:
Best Mango Wood Furniture Items
High durability, strength, sustainability, water resistance, workability, and low-price range make mango wood a suitable and affordable option to make furniture, house objects, and other items.
For Instance, you can use it in the home for renovating or adding:
- Coffee Table
- Tv Stand
- Dresser
- Side tables
- Dining Table
- Door Frames
- Plywood
- Flooring
- Console tables
- Chairs
- Desks
- Shelves
- Wood Veneer
- Beds
- Bar Stools
- Bookcase
- Paneling
It is also a low-cost wood used to make several musical instruments like ukuleles, folk drums, or guitars. Yes, there are several uses of mango wood in the creation of different objects.
But, as with any other furniture wood materials, it has its pros and cons.
Mango Wood Furniture Pros and Cons
We have already discussed the reasons for its popularity. Now, look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of using this tree wood for your furniture:
Pros:
- Mango trees are widely available, which makes mango wood affordable and cheap
- You get to choose various patterns depending on the wood finishing you use
- It is environment friendly as no healthy trees are cut to obtain the wood for your furniture
Cons:
- Mango wood is susceptible to woodworm, insects, and fungus
- Unlike mulberry wood, it is not recommended to use it for firewood purpose as it may emit smoke filled with strong irritants
- In some cases, it might also cause skin irritation
- If it is placed in direct sunlight for a long time, the color of the furniture may fade or even end up cracking
Maintenance of Mango Wood Furniture
Caring for mango wood to maintain its beautiful appearance is as easy as it sounds. Here are the basic tips and tricks you can use to increase the longevity of your furniture:
- A natural beeswax restoration and furniture polish can be used to protect the furniture from scratches and stains
- Avoid using a rough cloth to clean the surface
- Use a furniture lifter tool to move the furniture around the house and avoid scratching
- Skip using harsh detergents (with ammonia) as they may suck the moisture out of the mango wood
- It is advised not to use a wood polish that has silicone as it may cause the furniture to dry out quickly
- Rotate your furniture periodically to expose all the parts to the same amount of light and air
- Cover the scratches with a varnish or matching paint as soon as you discovered them
- Avoid placing the mango wood furniture next to a fireplace as the heat or moisture may cause wood warping
Before ending our detailed mango wood guide, let’s find out the answer to some of the queries related to mango properties.
FAQ’s
Are Mango Trees Hardwood?
Yes!
Mango trees are hardwoods whose timber has higher strength, durability, and density as compared to softwoods.
Despite being a hardwood, it reaches maturity quickly after only 12 to 18 years, a major reason farmers like to plant new mango trees every 8 to 16 years.
So, what actually is the mango wood hardness?
According to the Janka hardness test, it lies between the Oak and Mahogany wood with a hardness score of 1100 pounds per foot or 4893 Newtons.
What is the Quality of Mango Wood?
Mango tree wood not only has a beautiful appearance, but it also has great quality, durability, strength, and density.
It doesn’t wear out easily and has a moderate to high durability to rot and perishable. The longevity of this tree wood can be extended by applying a protective finish.
How Do You Identify Mango Tree Wood?
Mangifera Indica has an interlocked or straight grain with a coarse medium texture and great natural clarity.
The natural mango color is golden to light brown. However, it is often discolored into various hues resulting from spalting, unique coloration & patterns due to fungus.
Is Mango Wood Water Resistant?
Mango wood is highly resistant to moisture and water, making it a perfect wood choice for outdoor furniture.
Mango Wood Vs. Walnut
Compared to inexpensive mango wood or even other usual materials like olive wood, walnut is relatively expensive and comprises only 1% of total hardwood available in the United States.
Conclusion
That’s it from our side, peeps!
We hope you have found out what you were looking for in our detailed mango wood guide, like:
What is mango wood? What is its origin? Can you use mango wood for making furniture? Are there any pros and cons of mango wood furniture? Or, how can you maintain its furniture?
If not, share with us what more you want to know in the comments section below.
Lastly, don’t forget to check the Home and Living Category of Inspire Uplift Blog for more guides.