When it comes to wooden furniture, the age-old favorites are cedar, teak, sal, rosewood, satin, mahogany, etc. For modern designs, we prefer oak, beech, pine, cherry, walnut, and more. But did you know that mango wood has become the top pick for home accents?
Let’s find out about this versatile and sustainable wood!
MANGO WOOD FAQ
If you’re planning a sustainable makeover for your home, mango wood may be an excellent choice for your new furniture. Let’s take a look at the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about mango wood!
1. WHAT IS MANGO WOOD?
As is evident from the name, mango wood comes from the mango tree, known for producing the "king of fruits", mango. It is an evergreen tree, i.e., its foliage stays green for more than one season of growth. These trees grow to a height of 50-60 ft.
The wood from this tree is dense and offers a lustrous finish when used for making furniture. It is an excellent option for people who are mindful about how they source the wood used for their furniture. Mango wood is also pocket-friendly, making it a popular choice.
2. WHERE DOES MANGO WOOD COME FROM?
Mango belongs to the family of flowering plants called Anacardiaceae, also known as the sumac family. This family includes cashew, pistachio, and poison ivy. There are 870 species of plants in this family, all of which bear fleshy fruits in the form of drupes.
Mango trees primarily grow in India, where they are broadly farmed for wood as well as for fruit. The tree is also native to East Asia and Myanmar. Countries like China and Kenya also cultivate mango trees for timber and export them to countries worldwide.
3. IS MANGO WOOD CATEGORIZED AS HARDWOOD?
Mango wood has dense grains, which is why it belongs to the hardwood category. It is more affordable than other hardwood types without compromising on quality, strength, and durability. You can expect mango furniture to stay strong and look good for a long time.
The wood will not wear out quickly, and if you look after mango wood furniture properly, you will also see the luster of the wood for decades. A clear advantage of mango wood compared to other hardwood varieties is that furniture makers find it easy to work with it.
4. IS MANGO WOOD SUSTAINABLE?
If you're someone who cares about sustainable sources of wood, mango wood is ideal for you. It is highly sustainable because mango trees are cultivated for both timber and fruits. It matures faster than other hardwood varieties and reaches its maturity after 15 years.
It continues to bear fruit until it matures and becomes barren. Farmers plant mango trees at gaps of 7-15 years. Thus, mango farming undergoes a sustainable plantation and harvest cycle. Only trees that don’t bear fruits are cut down for wood.
5. WHAT IS THE COLOR OF MANGO WOOD?
Mango wood is naturally golden brown in color with prominent patterns of grains that look amazing when polished. Some variations of mango wood also have a more yellowish touch. Or, there might be pink or black streaks along the surface of the wood.
Another interesting feature of mango wood is that it may undergo discoloration resulting from “spalting” because of fungi. Spalting creates natural streaks that range between black and beige. It may also have yellow and green streaks, making it popular among artisans.
Unstained mango wood, with or without spalting, looks incredible when finished with nothing but clear wax. It produces a rich brown shade that's a little darker than oak's color. Its grain pattern also looks pronounced. Staining the wood creates a dark brown shade.
6. WHAT IS DAKOTA MANGO WOOD?
Dakota mango wood is a variant of mango wood that is commonly used for making home furniture. It takes well to both dark and light staining. Dakota mango wood is sourced from India and is an excellent option for different types of furniture.
It is known for its durability and luxurious look and is preferred by artisans for building contemporary furniture with clean lines. It adds a solid, chunky look to the furniture with a chic finish. It's perfect for anything from dining tables to TV cabinets to bookcases.
7. WHAT ARE THE ESTHETICS OF MANGO WOOD?
Mango wood is naturally beautiful, with a golden brown color, and it often comes with streaks of different tones like beige, black, brown, pink, and yellow. It often has diverse patterns of rot marks and knots, which look good on their own when polished and waxed.
One great quality of mango wood is that it stains really well, and the color lasts for a long time. The rich, dark color that you get from the stain can give your furniture an incredible look. It also looks great with different finishing styles like hand-burning for a unique look.
8. WHAT ARE THE USES OF MANGO WOOD?
Mango wood is versatile and can be used for various types of furniture with intricate designs. It is also used for wall paneling and flooring. From plywood to veneer, mango wood is everywhere. It is also useful in making musical instruments, accessories, etc.
Mango wood is sustainable, strong, durable, and beautiful. It is highly water-resistant. Another great quality of this wood is that it is easy to cut and can easily take new shapes. It also responds well to stains and finishing styles, making it an excellent choice for furniture-making.
9. WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF MANGO WOOD FURNITURE?
Like any other wood, mango wood has some drawbacks. It can get a little dehydrated during dry weather or in perennially dry regions. Direct exposure to intense heat or sun can also lead to cracks. These problems can be avoided by moisturization with furniture polish.
Mango wood is susceptible to fungal attacks. Once turned into furniture, this can be harmful. Waxing prevents such problems. Another rare problem is that people with extreme skin allergies may develop problems due to direct skin contact, which should be avoided.
10. HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF MANGO WOOD FURNITURE?
Mango wood is mostly water-resistant and strong and does not demand too much care and maintenance. But because of the nature of the wood, you need to ensure that it is polished and moisturized, especially when it is exposed to heat and dryness, to prevent dehydration.
Though mango wood is water-resistant, protect it from being too wet. Wipe off water from the surface using a sponge. To clean mango wood furniture, use a damp cloth. Do not use strong detergents or other products containing ammonia for cleaning this type of furniture.
Do not use rough cleaning tools and silicone or chemical-infused cleaning products. To get a beautiful shine and protect the wood, use wax or mineral oils for a protective layer. Also, be careful about the type of spray or liquid polish as it can leave stains or cause discoloration.
FINAL WORDS:
Mango wood is an excellent choice for different types of furniture, as well as for other uses like veneer, flooring, wall paneling, and more. It is a naturally beautiful wood that’s also sustainable. As long as you take care of mango wood furniture, it will last for many years.
