Both hardwoods are worthwhile investments, and which is better is a question of personal preference. It also relies on the product you want to create. With Acacia, sculpting is more difficult and less aesthetically pleasing, whereas your cabin flooring would benefit from the tougher Acacia. Let’s check out more details about these hardwoods.
Acacia Overview
Acacia, often known as a thorn or wattle tree, has thousands of different kinds. Originally endemic to Africa, Acacia species can now be found on almost every continent except Antarctica.
The Acacia wood represents one of humanity’s most important trees. Several civilizations have used it in transcendent spiritual rites, linking it with components of their religions, medicine, culture, and superstitions. Because wood is normally highly combustible, its capacity to prevent burning to charcoal is seen as a unique feature of Acacia.
It has been a well-known and widely available alternative for décor and furniture in recent decades due to its global proliferation.
Walnut Overview
Walnuts are considered native to Asia, the US, and Mexico in select areas. Walnut comes in various shapes and sizes, including Japanese Walnut, Butternut, English Walnut, East American Black Walnut, and Andean Walnut.
Walnuts are not widely seen as a readily available resource, particularly for timber. Walnuts are uncommon in woodwork since they aren’t enormous trees in girth and length. Its items were expensive when they were used.
The walnut has only lately been farmed for timber. It was initially only after the tree had successfully outgrown its years for nut production that it became a viable alternative for lumber. Today’s wood species include the California Walnut and American Black Walnut.
Durability
Acacia and walnut are hardwoods, making them extremely durable and resistant to rot, fungi, water, and heat. Both types of wood are scratch-resistant and don’t warp or bend readily. Both are in excellent shape and will easily last five decades.
They require little to no care, and if you purchase them already finished, you will only need to wipe out the dust. A light coat of the appropriate polish should repair them if they appear dry, which could happen after a few years.
Hardness & Density
Acacia has a much denser grain than walnut, making it more difficult for the two to work with. Acacia has a good Janka rating ranging from 1701 to 1750, depending on the species, whereas black walnut, the most often utilized tree for good timber, has a value of 1010. Despite their differences, both are excellent furniture materials.
Required Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial for acacia wood outdoor furniture. Maintenance is quite easy, and it involves regularly cleaning the furniture with a moist rag to remove dust and avoid collection. Regular attention to this living, breathing material will help it maintain its integrity and avoid drying or cracking in the long run.
Maintenance of walnut wood furniture, on the other hand, is also essential. It’s, however, a lot more complicated as you’ll be needing something soft for this. You get to combine equal parts white vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle and spray on the furniture before wiping it clean with a soft cloth.
Price
Any hardwood will set you back a good cent, and these two are no exception. Walnut is scarce and in high demand for specialty items and bespoke furniture, despite the fact that Acacia is tougher and even more durable.
Color
Acacia is a yellowish yellow hardwood that varies in color from faint yellowish yellow to golden yellow. Walnut is usually blackish or dark brown in hue, with lighter flecks along the borders. Because of its lighter tint, this wood has less color variance when compared to Walnut wood.
Acacia wood is more consistent in color than Walnut wood because of this lack of color fluctuation, making it easier to finish and stain.
Comparing Use Cases
Acacia wood is softer than walnut wood, making it easier to work with when making furniture. Acacia wood also shrinks less with time, absorbing moisture less readily than other woods. It has a tougher finish than the Walnut wood and is less likely to discolor or scratch than other woods.
Due to its resistance to decomposition and rotting, acacia wood is often used for furniture and flooring. Acacia has many applications, including flooring, paneling, decorative items, plywood, and furniture. Both exterior and interior construction is the most general applications.
Flooring, Cabinets, and furniture are all made of wood. Walnut has a wide range of applications. Plywood, furniture, flooring, cabinetry, paneling, and other products are made from it. It’s also a good choice for cabinets because of its lovely grain pattern.
Walnut wood, on the other hand, outperforms Acacia by providing a variety of advantages like heat resistance and decay resistance, making it an excellent choice for outdoor uses.
Which Wood Should You Choose?
The most crucial points are that Acacia hardwood is less costly, more durable, and easier to operate with than other hardwoods. Kitchen cabinets, Cutting boards, chairs and tables, butcher blocks, and flooring are all made from acacia hardwood. High-end furniture sets, such as dining room tables and desks, are made of walnut wood.
Acacia is a more difficult wood to work with than walnut. Acacia hardwood has a higher density than walnut hardwood, making it more long-lasting. Choosing the wood that’s best for you solely depends on what you intend to use the wood for. Check through the properties of the woods highlighted in this article and pick whichever suits your need.
