Guide
Is Rubberwood a Hardwood? Everything About Hevea Maple
Yes — rubberwood is a genuine hardwood. It comes from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), a broadleaf deciduous species, which makes it a hardwood by definition, with a Janka hardness of around 980 lbf — harder than pine and close to ash.
Rubberwood is one of the most misunderstood timbers in furniture. The name sounds soft and synthetic; the reality is a dense, close-grained hardwood with an unusually good sustainability story. Here's the honest guide — what it is, how hard it really is, its genuine pros and cons, and whether it's actually sustainable.
What is rubberwood?
Rubberwood is the timber of the Hevea brasiliensis tree — the same tree tapped for natural latex rubber. For roughly 25–30 years the tree is tapped for latex; once that slows, the mature trunk is harvested, kiln-dried and milled into furniture-grade hardwood. Its pale, warm tone and fine grain are why it's also sold as Hevea Maple.
Hardwood vs softwood — the botanical answer
"Hardwood" and "softwood" are botanical categories, not measures of hardness. Hardwoods come from broadleaf (angiosperm) trees; softwoods from conifers. The rubber tree is a broadleaf deciduous species, so rubberwood is a hardwood — and in this case it's genuinely hard, too.
| Timber | Type | Janka hardness (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Pine | Softwood | 380–870 lbf |
| Rubberwood (Hevea Maple) | Hardwood | ~980 lbf |
| Red oak | Hardwood | ~1,290 lbf |
| Ash | Hardwood | ~1,320 lbf |
| Hard maple | Hardwood | ~1,450 lbf |
The pros
- Genuinely hard and durable — harder than pine, comparable to ash; stands up to daily use for decades.
- Dimensionally stable — fine, even grain and low shrinkage mean joints stay tight and quiet.
- Sustainable origin — a by-product of latex farming rather than a tree felled for timber.
- Warm, light grain — takes oils and natural finishes beautifully.
- Excellent value — hardwood strength at a lower price than oak or walnut.
The cons (the honest bit)
- Needs proper kiln-drying — if it isn't dried and treated correctly it can warp or stain. Quality of the maker matters more than with most timbers.
- Softer than oak or maple — durable, but not the hardest hardwood available.
- Quality varies widely — mass-produced rubberwood furniture is often the source of its mixed reputation.
- Plainer tone — its light, even colour is understated rather than dramatic.
The big one: is rubberwood actually sustainable?
It's fair to be sceptical, and there are three legitimate criticisms: rubber is grown as a monoculture; most rubberwood is processed in South-East Asia and shipped globally; and cheaper rubberwood is chemically treated and flat-packed to be disposable.
But the core fact stands: the wood is a by-product of an existing agricultural cycle. The tree has already given decades of latex before its timber is harvested — nothing new is felled to make it. And the deciding factor is durability: a frame built to last decades is far more sustainable than a "greener" material thrown away in five years. The "rubberwood isn't sustainable" critique really targets the throwaway version.
Heava vs generic rubberwood
| Generic rubberwood | Heava | |
|---|---|---|
| Made | Mass-produced | Designed in Ireland |
| Construction | Flat-pack, often chemically treated | Solid, properly jointed, European-finished |
| Built to | Be replaced | Be kept and repaired |
Is rubberwood good for bed frames?
Yes — and this is where it shines. Its density and stability resist creaking and loosening, and it's strong enough for king and super king frames, where the span puts the most stress on the joints. It's exactly why every Heava bed frame is built from it.
The verdict
Rubberwood is a real hardwood — durable, stable, sustainable in origin, and excellent value. Its reputation suffers from the cheap, disposable end of the market, not from the timber itself. Properly sourced, dried and finished, it's an outstanding choice for furniture built to last — which is exactly how we use it. Read more about Hevea Maple or our approach to sustainable furniture.
Frequently asked questions
Is rubberwood a hardwood?
Yes. Rubberwood comes from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), a broadleaf deciduous species, which makes it a hardwood by botanical definition. Its Janka hardness of around 980 lbf is harder than most pine and comparable to ash.
Is rubberwood as good as oak?
For everyday furniture, it is comparable. Oak is harder (Janka ~1,290 vs ~980) and has a more prominent grain, but well-made, properly kiln-dried rubberwood is stable, strong and durable enough to last decades — at a lower price and with a better sustainability story.
What are the main disadvantages of rubberwood?
It must be properly kiln-dried and treated or it can warp and is prone to staining; it is slightly softer than oak or maple; quality varies a lot by manufacturer; and its pale tone is plainer than some hardwoods. Buying from a maker who finishes it properly removes most of these issues.
Is rubberwood sustainable?
It can be one of the more sustainable hardwoods, because the timber is a by-product of latex farming — the tree is harvested only after ~25–30 years of producing latex, so nothing new is felled to make it. The fair criticisms (monoculture, shipping, chemical treatment) apply mostly to mass-produced, disposable rubberwood furniture, not to durable pieces built to be kept.
Is rubberwood the same as Hevea Maple?
Yes — "Hevea Maple" is a trade name for rubberwood, reflecting its pale, maple-like tone and fine grain. They are the same timber from the same Hevea brasiliensis tree.
Is rubberwood good for bed frames?
Yes. Its density and dimensional stability resist the creaking and loosening that affect cheaper frames, and it is strong enough for king and super king sizes where joints are under the most stress.