Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Floors
In the world of hardwood floor choices, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors are more popular than American grown hardwoods. Brazilian cherry hardwood, in fact, is not in the cherry family at all, but comes from a tree called jatoba. It is grown in Brazil, Peru, and various locations in South America.
One reason this flooring is popular, is because it is extremely hard. On the Janka Scale of hardness, this wood ranks at 2820, with red oak at 1260, a very significant difference. Both unfinished and prefinished Brazilian hardwood is available, in widths under 3" to about 8" for wide plank flooring.
Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Prices
The cost of Brazilian cherry hardwood makes it an attractive alternative to teak, which it closely resembles. Cost for solid Brazilian cherry flooring can start at just under $3.00 per square foot for the lesser grades, to around $8.00 per square foot for select grades. However, the heartwood is the more desired, due to its rich and deeper color hues. Also, the cost of Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring tends to increase in price, the wider the plank.
Unfinished Brazilian Cherry Hardwood
In selecting either unfinished Brazilian cherry hardwood, or the prefinished, it is important to remember that select grade colors will darken, resulting in a gorgeous burnt orange to burgundy floor. Most prefinished Brazilian cherry hardwood select grades, therefore, are clear-coated, to allow for this natural process. Purchasers must keep this in mind, if finishing the floor themselves, to avoid applying a too-dark stain.
Installing Brazilian Cherry Hardwood
Brazilian cherry flooring is installed using a nail-down technique or glue-down method. It does not lend itself well for a floating floor installation, unless the installer is working with engineered or veneer type wood. This is due to the natural expansion of the wood, in high moisture or heat conditions. Most flooring of this type can be laid over concrete slab, with 15lb asphalt felt underneath as a moisture barrier, or over plywood sub-flooring.
Brazilian cherry is an extremely hard wood with which to work, and often requires special tools for cutting, to avoid damage to the wood. As such, the nail-down technique requires that holes be pre-bored prior to nailing. This wood sands easily and takes stains well. However, if ordering the prefinished Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring, be prepared to pay a bit more per foot. The prefinished will carry a warrantee of around 15 years, depending on the manufacturer.
Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Applications
Beautiful Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring is suitable for both commercial and residential applications. It compares favorably with other insect and mildew-resistant exotic hardwoods, such as Brazilian walnut. Many kinds of these exotic woods are suitable for outdoor applications as well, such as decking.
The exotic hardwoods, as a class, tend to be extremely hard, and very long-lasting. Maintenance for this type of flooring is comparable to most other hardwoods. However, frequent exposure to the sun can lighten or damage them. Therefore, there are UV protecting stains which can be applied to preserve the integrity and color of decking or flooring which is exposed to sunny areas.