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All You Need to Know About Guanacaste (Parota) Wood

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Mark Johnson
All You Need to Know About Guanacaste (Parota) Wood

Guanacaste, also known as Parota, is a hardwood that originates from trees that are found primarily in Central America and also in some parts of Mexico and northern South America. Parota is considered one of the best hardwoods types in terms of durability, though it has mixed insect resistance. Know everything about Guanacaste Parota wood in this article, along with the best place to buy Guanacaste timber.


About Guanacaste (Parota) Wood


Guanacaste is a hardwood species. It is extracted from a tree of the same name. Guanacaste trees are primarily found in America and Mexico. They grow to a height of about 65-100 ft and have a 5-8 ft trunk diameter. Guanacaste has a Janka rating of 470 lbf (2,100 N).


Guanacaste or Parota wood comes in a light to medium brown colour (heartwood), which may sometimes have a reddish hue. Sapwood is pale yellow and can be easily distinguished from heartwood. Parota wood grain is slightly interlocked and it has a coarse texture with moderate lustre.


One of the best things about Guanacaste is that it is durable wood. In fact, some experts rate it as very durable. Also, the timber is easy to work with both machine and hand tools. Also, it finishes and glues well.


Guanacaste is not very hard or dense and weighs much less as compared to similar hardwoods. It is easily available at moderate prices and also comes in large and very large slabs. Common uses of Guanacaste wood include table slabs, furniture frames, millwork, boatbuilding, and turned objects.


Guanacaste Wood Qualities and Features


Guanacaste is referred to with different names in different regions. These include parota, rain tree, elephant ear tree, and caro caro.


Parota is extensively used in both furniture and construction projects because it comes in large sizes, has natural golden-brownish colour with attractive grain patterns, and is available at an affordable cost.


Appearance: Parota is particularly famous for its beautiful appearance that features a bold wood grain and excellent texture. It looks similar to Acacia or Koa wood, but has better consistent colouring. The wood also has a moderately natural lustre that can be further highlighted with the right finish and oils.


Growth: Parota trees grow fast and have an average height of about 65-100 ft, which makes the wood available in different sizes, including large slabs, making it perfect for large projects. Parota is also preferred for reforestation because of its short growth cycle.


Density and weight: Despite being hardwood, parota is less dense and much lighter than the alternatives. This enables woodworkers to make large furniture items of Guanacaste wood that weigh less.


Durability: In terms of durability and rot resistance, Guanacaste is rated as very durable. The heartwood is resistant to some insect attacks, rot and moisture.


Sustainability: Parota trees grow fast and have a very short growth period, which is why it is extensively used for reforestation and is one of the most sustainable woods in the world.


Workability: Guanacaste is generally easy to work with and can be operated with both hand tools and machine tools. However, planing of the wood can result in tearouts.


Availability and price of Guanacaste


Guanacaste primarily grows in Central America and Mexico but can be easily imported in almost all parts of the world. The wood is available at a low price locally but can be moderately priced for an imported wood. We at CameroonTimberExportSarl export premium quality, sustainable Guanacaste wood to our customers in many countries, including Canada, Brazil, Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Singapore, Australia, and others. You can call us to enquire about availability and the best price. We have Guanacaste slabs and wood available in all standard sizes and dimensions, including large live-edge slabs.


Why Guanacaste is popular


Guanacaste wood is popular for many reasons. One, it is known for its unique, beautiful golden-brown appearance that looks similar to Acacia/Koa but has a better texture. It has a more consistent grain and colour. The coarse texture of Guanacaste gives it an almost fibrous look, which is unlike others.

Also, the Parota wood is available in large dimensions, which are hard to find in hardwoods. Third and one of the best reasons is its moderate price, which makes it affordable for a variety of wood projects. Many woodworkers also prefer to use parota because it is easy to work with and is amazingly durable. The wood glues and finishes well.


Uses of Guanacaste Hardwood


Guanacaste or parota wood is used in all kinds of hardwood applications. Because it looks similar to Koa or Acacia, it is commonly used as their inexpensive alternative.


Common uses of parota wood include -


  • Making furniture frames with a beautiful natural fibrous look.
  • Parota is widely used for making table slabs because it is easily available in large sizes.
  • It is also commonly used for building boats because it is very durable with good water resistance.
  • Turned objects are also made using Guanacaste as the wood is easy to bend.
  • Also, it is used in a variety of woodwork projects in mills.


To know more about Guanacaste timber or enquire about the best wood for your project, contact CameroomTimberExportSarl.

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