Here is how people are saving a lot of money on furniture!

by | Dec 11, 2017

Most
people in Vallarta Nayarit will tell you to get your dining room and
bedroom
furniture made with parota wood and stay clear of fibreboards.The
rationale is that this wood, spoken of in
almost legendary terms, is termite-proof.And, that fibreboards will
never hold up in humid areas.But is this true?You might be surprised!

 PAROTA OR MDF?

Parota wood can be toxic

Parota
wood is indigenous to Central America and abundant in Mexico.In Spanish, the word parota translates to
huanacaxtle.Fun fact – La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
is supposedly named after a cross that stood in the town, made from this
decorative wood.

Parota
trees grow rapidly and have large trunks – which means they work well for large
furniture pieces (think large dining room table tops made from slabs).This wood is lighter in weight than many
other woods and water resistant.Parota
is, however, a softer wood.This can be
problematic if you have a dining table or dresser that needs to withstand some serious
weight.

PAROTA CAN BE TOXIC

What most
people do not know about parota is that it can be quite toxic.Some carpenters will no longer work with this
wood because it can cause severe eye and respiratory infection.For those with allergies, this may not be the
best option.

Although
subterranean termites prefer softwoods, they will invade most species of
wood.Drywood termites require little
moisture in the wood they eat.

Parota
has a beautiful wood grain.There is no
need to paint it – the beauty lies in its rich grains and golden hues.Although costlier, furniture made from this
indigenous wood will make a beautiful statement in your home.

Fibreboards can withstand moisture

Fibreboards
are an engineered product made from wood fibres that are bonded together with a
strong adhesive under significant heat and pressure.Fibreboard has been around since the early 1900’s.It is also used in construction, flooring,
home appliances, automobile manufacturing and cabinetry.

FIBREBOARDS ARE AVAILABLE IN MANY COLORS

There are
three main categories of fibreboard based on their density – low, medium and
high.The density refers to the amount
of wood compressed in to one panel.The
higher the density, the stronger and harder it is.There are different applications depending on
its properties.Low-density fibreboards
often referred to as particle boards, are used frequently in construction for
sub-floors.High density fibreboards are
used primarily in laminate flooring.Medium
density fibreboards are highly recommended for furniture.

Fibreboards
are also sub-categorized into different classes, based on their properties to
withstand stress and moisture.Medium
(MDF) and high density (hardboard) have a much higher resistance to moisture
and stress than particle board.Some
MDFs and hardboards are even treated to be moisture resistant.Unlike particle board, these materials will
not split or crack.

Today,
many manufacturers of fibre boards incorporate fungal and insect
resistance.The resin and glue in the
fibre boards are a deterrent since termites tend to find them quite
distasteful.

Fibreboards
can be painted and stained many beautiful colours and look outstanding in your
home for a fraction of the price of parota.

BEAUTIFUL PAROTA CHAIR, OR IS IT MDF?

Price comparison

Solid
wood furniture will cost more than furniture constructed with fibreboard.In some cases, you will find furniture that
is a hybrid of solid wood and fibreboard.Parts of the furniture that are hidden such as the front and the top are
constructed using solid wood.The inside
and back which are generally hidden are constructed with fibreboard.This gives the best of both worlds – a
beautiful looking piece at a more reasonable price.

Which is better?

Somewhere
along the line, people started confusing low performing particle board with water
resistant, well wearing fibreboards.They also started giving parota wood mystical furniture powers.To be fair, both options have pros and
cons.The bottom line is buy the brand
names you know.Buy from manufacturers who
stand behind their materials and production.Buy from retailers you trust who know their products and can help you
select the right one for your style, needs and budget.

This article was originally published in the Vallarta Tribune, week of December 11, 2017

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