You might have seen different types of wood species while woodworking. However, woods appearing in a pinkish variant might get you interested in knowing more! Well, pink woods are famous and quite rare at the same time.
But still, you might find particular usages of this. In this article, we will take you through these and relevant topics.
So, what is pink wood used for actually?
Pink woods can be utilized in preventing molds from growing in the basement. As it is thin on the ground, the pricing range is higher compared to other woods. However, building a pier foundation demands this rare wood. So, the builders along with code inspectors predominantly find this worthwhile.
That’s not all! By the end of this article, you will get everything related to this topic. So, let’s get going!
SKIP AHEAD
What Is Pink Wood Used for?
If you explore its usage, restricting molds comes first.
Mildew is a mold type growing on the surface. Mostly, damp or warm places have a higher chance to grow molds.
This might look like soil accumulation over time. But initially, it might appear as gray or even white powder.
If you do not remove this promptly, you will see it turning black or brown. To avoid dampness and to protect your basements, pink woods are used.
However, this wood type holds other activities too apart from preventing molds.
In the meantime, the pink color comes from boron preservatives.
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Actually, boron works as a water-oriented preservative. So, you can consider pink wood as boron timber too.
In addition to that, no health hazards or side effects are there. That’s how users find it too comfortable to work with! Along with that, pink wood is known as environment-friendly.
This might be the best wood for external columns too.
Building a pier foundation also requires this pink wood. The builders and code inspectors mostly find this useful. In the meantime, a pier foundation represents vertical piles or pillars if you don’t know!
Also, it helps in transferring the building weight to the soil.
How does the Pink Color Come In?
If you cut the wood, the inside raw part looks more pinkish. Meanwhile, this part is considered the heartwood. And, the pale can be sapwood.
Now the question arises, why the sapwood might respond to this? Well, each cell containing the outer part of the cambium might be dead.
At the same time, sapwood carries a special characteristic. This wood type can retain the capability of transporting fluid all over the tree.
On the other hand, the heartwood can not serve anything but structural support. However, several species are available there that can deposit chemicals inside the heartwood.
Such as, resin is a big example. That’s how heartwood too can appear in different distinct colors. But the sapwood will always stick to pink.
Also, utilizing different essential oils might result in delivering this color of wood. Usually, pink discoloration takes place due to a chemical oxidation response in wood.
In the meantime, you might find this turning into sugars along with starches.
Sapwood might be the place where this reaction can occur. Over time, you will find the pink color having stabled on the wood.
Along with that, it might be required by the building codes in certain areas. The pink color might contain a source getting from a red dye. After this dye gets added to the treatment chemicals, wood might turn pink.
Rare Availability of Pink Wood
Now you know why we all should go for pink woods. Despite its lower availability across the world, positive metrics keep it a high profile.
And so, the pricing range must be higher than you had ever used.
Pink Ivory wood appears as a sacred wood in the Zulu region of Southern Africa. It has even become a treasure for its rare availability.
Even you can consider this more valuable than diamonds.
Apart from this rare pink wood type, there are several kinds of similar wood available.
Woodworking Safety Guidelines for Pink Wood
Wood treatments typically come with different chemicals. Relevantly, you require these to be handled safely and suitably.
Meanwhile, the boron preservative contained in the pink wood might not be that dangerous material. However, you need to remember some key safety guidelines while involved with woodworking or building inhabitants.
You should loosen the direct contact by wearing gloves, and goggles, along with a dust mask. And then, washing work clothes, hands, etc., are very primary but should be maintained.
Avoid trying to fume off-cuts or even cooking with those woods is prohibited. Along with that, disposing of waste materials in an authorized trash yard is recommended.
In the meantime, a proper ventilation system in the workspace is a must. And also, solvent-damp wood is not suggested to get working with!
What Is Pink 2×4 Stud Used For?
However, you might utilize solvent-damp timber to allow once it gets properly dried off.
Wanna get to know another relevant pink wood case?
Pink 2×4 studs get into the picture then! After the second world war, a company named Temple-Inland presented the infamous purple 2×4 studs.
The core reason behind this campaign was nothing but a solid marketing tactic. In the meantime, this marketing stunt helped them to compete against Douglas fir studs.
However, this fir stud was also famous at that time originating from the Pacific Northwest. Basically, Douglas fir studs were brought in an orange variant. And, the selling of those studs was quite good.
At the same time, pink 2×4 studs were presented in five different variants. Out of those colors, magenta or purple later got so popular.
So yes! Rather than carrying many benefits or usage versatility, this wood is nothing but a marketing strategy!
Facts of Purpleheart Woods
You might not find so many types of pink woods. Among what we usually got, purpleheart is a fantastic one to discuss!
This stunning color wood is basically harvested from a boring-looking tree indeed. Meanwhile, its charming look doesn’t belong to any artificial stunt.
Rather, its total outlook is natural and unique. However, you might find this color in tropical hardwoods too.
People asking mostly if user-friendly woods like Poplar hardwoods are strong enough. Don’t know about that!
But we know Purpleheart is quite stronger than others. We will also cover this fact here!
So, what about if we can dig out all the major facts too? Bet you are down to that, don’t you? So, let’s find these together!
Purpleheart Tree’s Genus is Peltogyne
Peltogyne species are quite famous for delivering better wood texture. You might find more than 20 different varieties of this species.
However, this purpleheart wood can be found in the Amazon basin. Meanwhile, you might explore from Costa Rica to even Southern Brazil to have this wood. Or maybe, you can find this in the Caribbean islands such as Trinidad.
This Was Not Always Purple
You might see the purpleheart wood turning gray while cutting this initially. However, it might turn a faded brown color too in some cases.
Over time, wood gets aging along with getting sun exposure. These small but effective reasons lead the cut to adopt a purple-based hue.
And later, we find this a whole purple wood containing no initial variant.
Sturdiness
Can you believe that purpleheart is almost unbreakable? Well, purple or pink-based hues often seem more tender and weaker.
However, breaking this wood is almost impossible. Containing extremely dense materials along with waterproof nature makes it sturdiest.
At the same time, this wood is quite resistant to decay too.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Kauri wood is considered the strongest wood in the Oceania continent.
Sustainable
Purpleheart wood is highly sustainable. In any case, requiring this wood will not fall within a shorter period.
As a result, abrupt transformations in climate or humidity will not affect this at all.
FAQs
Why Is New Zealand Timber Pink?
Since the 1950s, Boron has been manipulated as a timber preservative in New Zealand. New Zealand timber represents a commonly dyed pink utilizing pre-primed in grey. In the meantime, Boron preservative does not accelerate any health diseases. So, boron-treated timber makes this timber pink.
What Are The Pink Studs For?
A company called Temple-Inland presented the purple 2×4 studs during the post-second World War. It was undoubtedly a marketing strategy so that competing against Douglas fir studs can be successful. They randomly selected magenta (pink) out of five different colors. And, the rest is history.
Is Pink Wood Rare To Avail?
Yes! Pink Ivory remains one of the most unavailable, coveted pink woods in the world. Meanwhile, this exotic wood type is quite desirable among regular wood users. Along with that, you find it rare as being indigenous to Southern Africa. Other pink wood types also originate from the African region.
Final Words
Now you precisely know what is pink wood used for! Hopefully, our article has guided everything related to pink wood nicely.
Got anything in your mind? Or wanna add something to the purpleheart wood’s interesting facts? Let us know!
Happy woodworking!
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