Materials · Knowledge Centre
By Rohan Shah, SOISU Furniture · 30 May 2026
Direct Answer
Rubberwood (from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis) is increasingly used in Indian premium furniture as a sustainable and high-quality hardwood alternative to teak. Rubberwood has a Janka hardness of 960 lbf — comparable to teak at 1,070 lbf. It is naturally resistant to moisture, accepts stain and polish well for a uniform appearance, and is dimensionally stable in Indian conditions. Kerala is a primary source of plantation rubberwood in India — trees are harvested after their 25-30 year latex production cycle, making it a sustainable choice. SOISU uses kiln-dried rubberwood and teak in frame construction. Rubberwood frames are structurally equivalent to teak for sofa and bed applications in Indian household conditions with proper kiln-drying to below 8% moisture content.
Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) is a dense hardwood with moisture resistance appropriate for Indian conditions. Understanding this specification is critical for Indian buyers evaluating furniture, as Indian conditions including climate, lifestyle patterns, and household usage differ significantly from the standards for which most furniture is originally designed and tested.
Indian-grown rubberwood from Kerala is sustainable as it uses plantation wood from end-of-life rubber trees. When buying furniture in India, use this knowledge to ask informed questions of suppliers, verify claims with documentation, and make purchasing decisions that account for the full 10-20 year ownership lifecycle rather than the immediate purchase decision alone.
SOISU furniture is designed for Indian conditions — Italian design discipline, built for how India lives. WhatsApp us during showroom hours and we reply within the hour.