A Guide to Exotic Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors provide a modern and classy feel to every house. While many of us are familiar with the classics, such as oak or pine, hardwoods also come in exotic forms with different variations; Wenge, Brazilian Walnut, Brazilian cherry, Santos mahogany, Tigerwood, Brazilian Teak, and Brazilian Oak, to name a few. If you’re deciding which hardwood to install in your home, exotic hardwoods are certainly worth consideration! Below we’ll dive into some of these different types of woods, and what they offer.

Types Of Exotic Hardwoods

• Wenge– Wenge is an exotic hardwood that is grown in Western and Central Africa. It has a blackish and thick brown look. It is sourced and manufactured from a legume tree, botanically called Millettia laurentii, and is famously used for flooring, paneling, furniture, and woodwork, as it is a very dense wood. Wenge would be suitable for use in kitchens or sitting rooms.

• Iroko– Iroko harwood, also known as “African Teak” is widely known for its long length and density. It comes from West Africa and Central Africa. Ceremonial drums, floors, and furniture are often produced using this wood. Because it is such a dense wood, it’ll hold up well in most spaces, such as the kitchen or hallways.

• Brazilian Walnut– Brazilian Walnut hardwood is available in different colors, varying from red to darkish brown. It is grown in the tropics of Brazil and is known to be very shiny, accentual, and aesthetic. The hardness and density of Brazilian walnut make it resistant to scratches and other damages, making it a popular choice for high-traffic areas of a home or building.

• Brazilian Cherry– This exotic hardwood is one of the most popular of its kind. Reddish-brown in its color and outlook provides a rare kind of durability, making it the choicest hardwood for the American market.

• Santos Mahogany– This hardwood comes in brownish, reddish-brown, and golden variations. Combined with the right furniture and walls, it gives the house or building a stylish look. It is a dense species and is suitable for both commercial and residential purposes.

• Tigerwood– As its name connotes, tigerwood has a yellowish golden look, coupled with some brownish “tiger” streaks. Looking at this hardwood gives one a picture of tiger skin.

• Brazilian Teak– Brazilian Teak is a darkish brown hardwood that is dense and harder than other members of its class. It has several grain patterns and a variety of colors, which tenders it peculiar and stylish in the marketplace.

• Brazilian Oak– Brazilian Oak is mostly popular for its grain patterns and colors. As a hardwood, its texture makes it polishable and scrapable for optimum performance. It is a harder wood than others, which makes it durable.

Considerations For Choosing Exotic Hardwood Flooring.

1. The type of house or structure being built.

2. The furniture and home setting.

3. The house’s or structure’s proposed length of time and stay.

4. Owner’s taste and choice of finishing.

Maintenance Tips

1. Before buying your wood, acquire the ones with UV inhibitors.

2. Avoid too much exposure to sunlight.

3. If possible, limit the excess use of furniture where these woods are positioned.

4.  Exchange furniture positions over time if excess furniture use cannot be avoided.

5.  UV film installation on window glasses.

Need Help Installing Floors in Your Home? Ask the Experts at Factory Flooring

What type of underlayment should you use? How many inches thick? How do you install it? And how do you avoid damaging your floors in the process? 

When you work with Factory Flooring, you don’t have to worry about these questions. Our team of professional flooring installers will handle all the heavy lifting for you — literally. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the savings on your energy bill. 

Need to get more flooring ideas first? Our design blog has dozens of articles to help you get started. Whenever you’re ready to tackle your insulation project, we’ll be here to help. Contact us online to get started, or call Factory Flooring at 469-583-7053