-
Brazilian Cherry, Jatoba
JANKA HARDNESS – 2,600 – 2800 ORIGIN – Brazil, Mexico & Peru COMMON NAMES – Brazilian Cherry, Jatoba SCIENTIFIC NAME – Hymenaea courbaril Characteristics For a number of years, Brazilian Cherry flooring was considered one of the most high-end floors that could be installed in your home. The deep, rich red tones, natural luster and clean, delicate grain pattern made it obvious that it belonged under the category of “high end.” Although the popularity of Brazilian Cherry has declined in the more recent years, mainly due to new advances in stain colors, like all the trendy grey we’ve seen in the past few years, its high-end stature remains the same. For those who…
-
Cocobolo, King Rosewood
JANKA HARDNESS – 2960 ORIGIN – Central America, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua COMMON NAMES – Cocobolo, King Rosewood, SCIENTIFIC NAME – Dalbergia retusa Whether installing a wood floor in a residential or commercial setting, exotic woods add a sense of class and luxury as well as structural durability. There are many different species of hardwood that are classified as a “Rosewood.” They’re all known for their defining beautiful colors and notable figured graining, but Cocobolo wood is deemed the best and most unique and sought-after of all the Rosewoods. It’s a bit more rare than some other Rosewood species and is treated and thought of as a “rare gem.”…
-
Tiete Rosewood
Common names- Bolivian Rosewood, Patagonian Cherry, Sirari Scientific name- Guibourtia hymenaeifolia (syn. G. chodatiana) Origin – South America, Venezuela, Brazil, French Guyana Janka – 2790 – 3280 There are many different hardwood species that are classified as “Rosewoods,” and similar to a rose flower, they each hold their own special and unique beauty. Tiete Rosewood is not actually a true Rosewood, which are from the “Dalbergia” genus. It’s named as a Rosewood, typically for its color, having a pinkish-brown hue and turning into a deeper red with age. Appearance – Tiete Rosewood flooring in a clear grade has a clean and clear appearance and overall color tone. There isn’t a…
-
African Danta
Scientific Name – Nesogordonia papaverifera AKA – “Kotibe” Origin – West Africa Janka – 2100 Installing an exotic hardwood floor is a sure way to set your home apart from the rest. Exotic wood species are sought after because of their bold and vibrant natural colors and unfamiliar graining. Not only are many exotic wood species aesthetically remarkable, but many are structurally superior to traditional domestic hardwoods that are found here in the U.S. So, if you’re considering hardwood flooring for your home, choosing a custom exotic hardwood floor won’t only get your home noticed, but will give your home added stability and floors that will last. There are…
-
Bocote
Scientific Name = Cordia dodecandra Janka Hardness = 2,010 Origin = Mexico and Central/South America Bocote is a truly distinct exotic hardwood species. Although Bocote is not a rare wood, and is not listed as an endangered species, this hardwood exudes luxury. The appearance of Bocote’s unique figuring and graining can only be compared to one other species in the world, Brazilian Rosewood, and even that only just comes close. If you’re looking to renovate your home and add something special; something with character; yet something that will last a lifetime and still be as special and unique as the day it was installed, an exotic hardwood floor is a…
-
Zebrawood
Scientific Name – Microberlinia brazzavillensis Common Names – African Zebrawood, Zebrano Grown – West Coast of Africa Janka rating – 1575 Continuing in our exotic species series, this week we’re discussing Zebrawood. This rare and remarkable hardwood is unlike any other. Zebrawood is named after its appearance, looking similar to the stripes on a Zebra when cut quartersawn. It has incredibly distinct striping that is completely natural, and only something that mother nature could have conjured up. The sapwood is a pale creamy yellow, while the striping is a highly contrasting dark brown, and darkens over time. Zebrawood definitely isn’t for everyone; it is a truly special hardwood that…
-
Purpleheart Hardwood
This week, continuing with our Exotic Species Series, we’d like to introduce you to another beautifully unique hardwood – “Purpleheart.” Genus: Peltogyne Common Name: Purpleheart Country of Origin: Tropical Rainforest regions of South and Central America. Brazil, Guyana, Panama Janka Rating: 2520 Whether you’ve heard about this bazaar and gorgeous hardwood species or not, believe that the rumors are true: this hardwood is actually purple! That’s right, purple. It’s hard to believe that a tree can grow and naturally have this wonderful color. Most people, when thinking of wood in general, tend to think of all shades of brown. And that’s true in many cases. But that’s why we’ve introduced…
-
Canarywood/Tarara
Exotic Species Series- Canarywood Also known as “Tarara Amarilla” Origin – South America, mainly Brazil and Bolivia Botanical name – Centrolobium Spp Janka Rating – Between 1860-2200 (depending on its origin) Canarywood has some of the most brilliant sheen and color scheme of any hardwood you may ever see. It is also one of the species that many people don’t even know exist, making it even more intriguing. Canarywood/Tarara Canarywood Flooring Visually, this stunning hardwood has beautiful yellow, gold, orange and reddish-brown tones. Its graining is mainly straight, but also has beautiful flowing waves throughout. It’s really the natural luster and sheen that this wood has, that makes…
-
Brazilian Koa/Tigerwood
Botanical Name: Astronium fraxinifolium Janka rating of 1850-2160 (depending on it’s origin) Grown in South America- Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru. Brazilian Koa wood, most commonly referred to as “Tigerwood,” was nicknamed after its beautifully contrasting graining, but more specifically its bold stripes which mimic that of a tigers. Tigerwood has a generally tan to moderately brown color with warm orange and red undertones which, like most woods, will darken over time, becoming a deeper reddish-brown color. The unique striping of this beautiful hardwood has mostly rich, deep-brown tones, which is why this distinct graining stands out so much. The striping contrasts the main color of the wood at a…
-
Santos Mahogany
In this series of blog posts, our flooring Pro’s start the exotic hardwood species series, giving you a little bit of background on each unique hardwood, allowing you to choose one of these gorgeous materials based on more than just its appearance. Our first exotic hardwood species is Santos Mahogany (Cabreuva) Botanical name – “Cabreuva” Ranking a 2200 on the Janka scale – Santos Mahogany is incredibly dense compared to most domestic hardwoods, and even more dense than what is known as “Genuine Mahogany.” It’s about 70% harder than Red Oak and about 60% harder than White Oak. Very popular flooring species imported from primarily from Peru, but also from…