First remove the thought that if it is wood then it should be teak. Though the main quality of teak is that it can stop termites, such treatment can be done on other wood too. Teak will cost at least 4,000 rupees per square feet.
At the same time, neem, which is plentiful in Tamil Nadu and other places, is available at 200 rupees per square feet. Since it has medicinal qualities, there is no need to fear termites or other harmful creatures. But neem is not suitable for thin planks. Other local trees like irul, irumbakam and venga have not proven their worth in terms of price, quality and strength.
Another important thing is to avoid splurging on wood. Sticking wood on walls and floors in the name of panelling will reduce light in the room. Build homes avoiding such extravaganzas. Wooden flooring on the ground floor is another thing that should be avoided because in the course of time it could absorb moisture and raise the chances of a termite attack.
Another intelligent move would be to reuse old wood. Because they contain little moisture, attack by termites will be less. Old planks of wood are ideal to make furniture. It is an open secret that many pieces of furniture bought from markets today are made of stained acacia and gliricidia. Such wood will turn bad quickly. To escape such pitfalls, it is better to buy old wood and make furniture. Also, cement structures can be coloured to make them look like wood.
Furniture at a low price
Only if attention is paid from selecting wood onwards, furniture can be made without much cost and with strength. It is not necessary that the wood must be teak. If teak is used, use the plantation teak that has been specially grown for these purposes. To make furniture, wood without problems like cracks, bends and pest bites should be selected.
Plywood made by compressing layers of 2.5 mm thick veneer is comparatively low-priced. Furniture made after reducing the wood’s moisture content to 10-12 per cent will be more durable. There are special kilns for this purpose. When a piece of wood is sliced, special attention must be paid to ensure that the plank has the same thickness throughout. The ways of compressing and reducing moisture of each type of wood are different.
If the design is minimalist, it will be easier to clean and to cut cost. Care should be taken to prevent cracks while slicing wood. If there is less wastage, the cost will also come down naturally. The best way to join planks together is using the traditional mortise and tenon method.
Efforts should be made to join planks at precisely 90 degrees. Special attention must be paid to the adhesive. If furniture is made using teak, adhesives containing polyvinyl acetic acid should not be used. In the end, the polish should not exceed 80 microns. If it does, changes will occur in the wood’s natural stain. If a glossy finish is needed, instead of using a more glossy polish, use one that does not exceed 20 per cent gloss.