Chan Wai Lim's Outdoor Rocking Chairs in Heveatech
Chan Wai Lim drew inspiration for this trio of outdoor rocking chairs for children from her own childhood on a farm in Singapore.
Chan Wai Lim drew inspiration for this trio of outdoor rocking chairs for children from her own childhood on a farm in Singapore.
The rocking chairs are made of eco-friendly Heveatech wood (Hevea brasiliensis), the Pará rubber tree. It is a densely grained wood with superior dimensional stability, structural integrity and durability. Heveatech also has a high resistance to termites, insects and natural abuse, which makes it ideal for outdoor furniture and decking. The wood is whitish yellow when freshly cut and gradually seasons to a soft, light brown. Heveatech has machining and working qualities similar to Teak. Heveatech wood was economically important because the milky latex extracted from the tree is the primary source of natural rubber.
"I like to work with strong, durable woods that have beautiful grains," Chan said. "Cedar and Rosewood are some of my favorites, as well as regional Asian species such as Jelutong, Meranti and Pinewood."
"Wood is an amazing material that has a remarkable ability to connect humans with nature," Chan says. "As a designer, I often see wood being wasted in workshops and at installations. I try to be thoughtful about using wood and considerate to the environment in my creation process."
— Chan Wai Lim/Little Thoughts Group
Spotlight On: Heveatech Engineered Wood, Made of Rubberwood
Species: Hevea brasiliensis
Origin: Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Common Applications: Decking, flooring, construction, outdoor furniture and other outdoor applications.
Characteristics/Appearance: Rubberwood has a dense grain and characteristics similar to Teak. It is whitish yellow when freshly cut and subsequently seasons to light brown. The wood has easy machining and working qualities.
Heveatech is an engineered wood product made from Rubberwood that has superior dimensional stability, high termite and insect resistance, and is extremely durable.
Janka Hardness Scale: 1,800 lb_f (see chart on page 19)
Comments: Heveatech is a 100% wood by-product derived from plantation Hevea trees at the end of their 25-30 years of latex producing lifespan. The logs are reclaimed to prevent wastage, which is why Heveatech wood is regarded as an eco-friendly wood.
Heveatech has superior structural integrity, dimensional stability, durability and resistance to pest infestations due to its laminated veneer lumber (LVL) engineering technology.
Frequently asked questions
What is Heveatech wood made from?+
Heveatech is an engineered wood product made from Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), the Pará rubber tree. It uses laminated veneer lumber (LVL) engineering technology to achieve superior structural integrity and durability.
Why is Heveatech considered an eco-friendly wood?+
Heveatech is a 100% wood by-product derived from plantation Hevea trees at the end of their 25-30 year latex-producing lifespan. The logs are reclaimed to prevent wastage, which is why it is regarded as eco-friendly.
What are the properties of Heveatech wood that make it suitable for outdoor furniture?+
Heveatech has a densely grained structure with superior dimensional stability, structural integrity and durability. It also offers high resistance to termites, insects and natural abuse, making it ideal for outdoor furniture and decking.
What does Heveatech wood look like?+
Heveatech is whitish yellow when freshly cut and gradually seasons to a soft, light brown. Its grain and working qualities are similar to Teak.
What is the Janka hardness rating of Heveatech?+
Heveatech has a Janka hardness rating of 1,800 lb_f.
Where does Heveatech wood originate?+
Heveatech originates from Indonesia and Southeast Asia, where Hevea brasiliensis is grown on plantations primarily for natural rubber latex production.