Are you looking for an environmentally friendly and not as well-known product in your home? Well, let’s talk about Paulownia! This is a cool material that has been found to be of great use in multiple areas of a home.
Although, not as many people are aware of its existence. Its unique facts, benefits, and uses are enough to have us wanting to dig deeper and understand the natural resource even more.
Follow along to learn more about how this material can be incorporated into your daily life. We find that it’s more of a seamless transition than you may first realize. So, let’s get started.
What Is Paulownia?
Paulownia is a tree that is well-known in its habitats in China and is also native to Eastern Asia. It came from the zone of Asia and Europe to be popularized in other areas of the world, such as in North America, including the United States.
It has many common names like Paulownia Tomentosa, Royal Paulownia, but it’s also called Empress Tree or even Princess Tree. Its scientific name is genus paulownia.
Like most other trees, this one is deciduous, meaning that it drops leaves in the Fall and grows new leaves and flowers during Spring.
These Are the Benefits
Now that we know more about Paulownia trees, let’s look into the overall benefits it possesses. Follow along to see the pros of having this special tree.
- The tree itself cleans out 48 lbs of carbon dioxide per year and can generate 13lbs of oxygen each day. It is also an excellent shade tree.
- Paulownia can sprout right up from the stump after it’s harvested.
- It works well in energy-efficient homes.
- The tree has the ability to be commercially harvested due to its fast growth.
- The hardwood is fire-resistant, so it adds an extra layer of protection for homes.
- It’s a material that can be used for paper, poles, window frames, musical instruments, surfboards, doors, and moldings when crafted by a skilled carpenter.
- The tree has growth rates of up to ten to 18 feet in its first year alone. In one year, twenty million young seedlings are produced.
Each of these benefits illustrates the environmental and practical impact of using Paulownia as a material in your home.
These Are the Disadvantages
Like any great material or product, there are always going to be a few disadvantages that you need to be aware of. The following, in particular, are why some choose not to opt for this type of material in their homes or daily lives. Find out below!
- The tree wood can be brittle, similar to balsa wood.
- Branches are easily damaged by the wind.
- Roots grow close to the surface at ground level, causing uneven grounds or cracked streets, roadsides, and sidewalks.
- Flower buds (which smell like vanilla and are pale violet in color) can become readily premature during cold weather and fall off the tree.
- It’s an invasive plant, which is partly why it can grow so fast.
- The plant is banned in Connecticut and is listed as an invasive plant in Tennessee.
While there are a few disadvantages to this tree, these cons have more to do with the initial growth of the material.
What Is the Grain/Texture?
Believe it or not, the grain in the wood is pretty straight. The texture itself, though, is uneven and can be known to be coarse to the touch. Due to the fact that Paulownia has large pores and knots, it has a porous and striped look.
There Is Rot Resistance
If you happen to be living in a more humid climate where moisture is more of an issue, then this may be the material for you! Paulownia resists rot super well in varying weather conditions.
However, if your home is prone to insect issues, then this material will fall victim much easier than other hardwoods like pine.
Why Do Home Builders Use the Material?
The workability of this material is great! Not only is it lightweight, but it also has a straight grain, making it so much easier for employees to install or manipulate the material in a construction project.
Something to keep in mind, though, there can be a high silica content. When this is found in trees, the wood may act blunt when cutting edges. Also, note that this material may soak up glue, stain, and other finishes more easily than other material options.
Let’s Talk About Pricing
The US is a common country to sell this timber, despite it having more negative connotations in several states. Some states have declared it an invasive species for destroying the proper ratio of plant life. It has caused significant problems to the Florida and Texas landscape.
Japan is the country actually known to grow and export the material most, so that’s where it’s more commonly sourced. The demand for wood is much higher there, and they are able to fully deliver on large orders.
With that being said, the material is much cheaper since it’s outsourced in a country such as Japan. If it were to be produced and sold in the US, then prices would be much more expensive than other woods.
What Is the Color and Appearance?
The color can vary for this type of material. However, it’s more commonly known to have a pale and gray or brown hue. At times, people can recall seeing reds and purples in the mix.
The overall appearance can be somewhat compared to Catalpa, which is another lightweight wood with porous details.
It’s Super Sustainable and Durable
Surprisingly, Paulownia wood is actually much more durable than what you may first imagine. The lightweight aspect of the material can certainly be deceiving too. On top of it all, too, this material can resist termites, saltwater, and decay.
Eco-conscious materials are always on the mind as the world continually progresses. It’s a great idea to get ahead of the curve and invest in materials that will work to help the environment.
The whole reason Paulownia is so sustainable is due to its rapid growth. It does very little damage to harvest, and nature will hardly miss it as it can be so easily replaced within the year.
Are There Allergies Associated With the Material?
There will always be standard health risks when it comes to wood dust in general. However, there should be nothing dangerous to fear! No toxicity has been found where it would be unsafe to place the material in your home. It’s actually quite the opposite.
These Are Two Similar Wood Options
If you’re in the market for wood that is similar and you’re not completely sold on the idea of Paulownia, then the following two other options are perfect to see. Look below to see how both engineered bamboo or cork have the potential to fit your lifestyle a bit better for you.
- Engineered Bamboo: Engineered bamboo flooring is best defined as a strong, sustainable hardwood flooring option made from bamboo. It’s a great and modern selection for newer homes.
So, how are they made? They’re actually sliced down from large portions of bamboo. The engineered portion of it modifies it just enough to make it even more durable.
- Cork: These floors are best explained as a product made from the bark of a cork oak tree, hence where the name originates. When the material is sourced, it’s manufactured into sheets and placed in a kiln to produce flooring for homes and offices. In fact, they are so versatile that they can also look like square tiles.
This easy process and fantastic way of sourcing are readily available to any and all that opt for this kind of product. Similar to Paulownia, this is also a super sustainable method for hardwood production, which helps to protect the environment. Both are a win!
Durable and sustainable, these two options are great if you’re looking to meet these needs. When deciding to change up the look of your home, spend a lot of time thinking about your wishlist. Wood flooring choices are more complex and interesting than one might suggest.
The Emperess Tree
If you’re looking to upgrade the vibe of a space or home in general, this is a wonderful and current type to select. The durability and sustainability of the materials are unlike any other. Plus, it will really add to the overall look of the home.
However, this floor may not be for everyone or match their tastes. We realize that this type of material is for a more specific modern aesthetic, so if that’s not what you’re looking for, then this look may not work in your favor.
How do you plan on styling or renovating your home? Make sure to buy wood from a reputable seller. After all, home renovations are a fun time and should be enjoyed. You’re finally making your home exude your style, and it’s a process worth treasuring.
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