Hardwood Species

African Oak

African Oak comes from the Iroko tree, which is native to the west coast of Africa. The species is also sometimes referred to as African teak or Nigerian teak, but in reality, the Iroko (or African Oak) is unrelated to the teak family. The African Oak's wood is remarkably durable, which makes it a great candidate for flooring material. Because the species is so dense and tough, it is able to withstand the wear and tear that other species fall prey to.

African Oak is not only used in flooring, it is also commonly used to make cabinets and wall paneling. While African Oak is not related to teak, it does look quite similar, so it is often used as a replacement or complement to teak. Both teak and African Oak range from light brown to a deep golden-brown and when the two are appropriately matched, one could not tell the difference. Beside their similarities in color, teak and African Oak also share similarities in grain.

Currently, Mohawk offers the most sought after African Oak in the United States' market. While the brand can be found in numerous places, remember to consider price and customer service when selecting your flooring broker. Many times the best price can be obtained via the web where the shopper has the option to name his or her own price. This is a convenient manner of bargaining without the face-to-face banter that takes place in stores. One has nothing to lose in stating the price that he or she believes is honorable.

References
www.highbeam.com
www.encyclopedia.com

Afzelia

The Afzelia species is most commonly found in its native land of Africa or Asia. While the moniker Afzelia may not be familiar, this is partly due to the fact that it is also sometimes referred to as 'pod mahogany.' Regardless, this species belongs to the legumes family and is generally used for its wood content. In some instances, the species has been adopted for its medicinal properties. While not quite as impressive as medical or timber uses, the red and black seeds have also been used by native peoples as beads.

Afzelia timber has grown quite popular for its use in the construction of velodromes, which are indoor arenas for track cycling. This is partly due to the fact that the wood is particularly stable, not to mention it is attractive in color. The light red-brown wood of the pod mahogany is hard and has a good grain making it ideal for plywood, furniture, paneling and for flooring. Of particular interest to the woodworking industry, the species is termite and borer resistant and can therefore be used as corner poles for fencing.

The actual Afzelia tree grows to be medium in size, is deciduous, and has bright green leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn into a beautiful yellow-orange and can be described as nothing short of striking. Oddly enough, from a distance, the Afzelia with its drooping branches and leaves might be mistaken as a eucalyptus. Because the tree's roots are so deep, the plant is able to accommodate a broad canopy of branches. Further, the trunk is typically fairly straight with a surprisingly smooth and gray bark.

References
www.sanbi.org
www.aluka.org

Amberwood

Amberwood, also known under its biological name, Aspidosperma polyneursn, is a popular choice for hardwood flooring. When the species is initially cut, the wood is a beautiful rose color with light yellow and brown marks throughout the grain. Once the wood matures, this gradation evens out to an overall light brown. Regardless, its grain is subtle, extremely fine and remarkably even. This makes for a clean and finished look that is sure to complement any elegant home. Also, the homeowner does not have to worry about the wood appearing too reddish or pinkish, as it really evolves into a uniform yellow or brown shade.

Further, Amberwood is fairly durable making it a great all-over flooring option. One needs not only use it in certain parts of the home, for it will hold up quite well even in entryways. Also, Amberwood is easy to finish and does not require any special treatment or additional care over time. This is truly a robust flooring option for the homeowner who does not want a lot of maintenance and does not want to have to worry about on-going treatment of the wood. The only thing to keep in mind when selecting Amberwood is to consider what the evolved color of the flooring is going to be. Also remember that wood that is exposed to direct sunlight is going to oxidize at a faster rate than flooring not exposed to direct sunlight, so the settling of color may vary from locale to locale. As a last piece of advice, oil-based finishes are more attractive when used on this species rather than water-based finishes.

References
www.encyclopedia.com
www.highbeam.com

Amendoim

Amendoim, otherwise known as Guiaro, Ibiraro, Pau Fava or Vivaro originated in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The wood is partly yellow-brown, while the heartwood is more reddish brown, somewhat similar to a Mahogany. The wood has a lustrous appearance and is of a medium texture.

This species is very hard and durable, but with a bending strength that is much greater than that of Mahogany. For this reason alone, Amendoim makes a great flooring material for areas of the home where significant wear and tear is expected. Further, the wood has a moderate resistance to decay when not chemically treated. Amendoim is lustrous and smooth, which also makes it attractive for flooring. The species is odorless and not likely to be the cause of allergies, making this a great option for homes that will soon be going on the market. It is also likely to merge well with the new homeowners.

Another reason that Amendoim is a great choice for the soon to be sold house, is that because it is so durable, it will look new for a decent amount of time. It is roughly twice as hard as black walnut or teak, nearly fifty percent harder than red oak, forty percent harder than white oak, thirty percent harder than hard maple, and even approaches mahogany's ranking of hardness. One great benefit of this wood being so durable is that it sands very well, making it a great candidate for refinishing in the future. Amendoim is an investment that when applied to flooring will timelessly add value to the home.

References
www.myfloorex.com
www.encyclopedia.com

American Cherry

American Cherry can be found for sale under numerous lumber names including Black Cherry and North American Cherry. This particular species of wood is grown in North America and is notable for its fine use as a furniture grade timber. American Cherry is also a great option for flooring as long as the client is aware that the color of the wood will evolve over time. This soft wood will likely begin with a pinkish hue, but overtime will take on more of a reddish tint. Because the wood is softer, it is only recommended for use in homes, and is not ideal for placement in industrial or commercial buildings.

The North American Cherry is more cream colored than its sister species, which is better described as reddish. The extent of the 'redness' varies from a pink to a darker red. The North American Cherry can also be identified by its small dark brown gum veins, which certainly give it character. It must be noted that the North American Cherry undergoes a particularly extreme degree of color change. This is very important to keep in mind when laying the flooring. It will darken in color from a pale pink when fresh milled to a dark reddish color when fully aged. The color change process is not necessarily a lengthy event; it ranges from a few weeks if in direct sunlight to eight months if not exposed to the oxidation that occurs in the light. On a last note, but not to be discounted, some people are allergic to American Cherry so caution must be taken around any sawdust.

References
www.hardwoodinfo.com
www.woodfloors.org

Andiroba

Andiroba grows in the rainforest where it can reach heights up to 40 meters. As it belongs to the mahogany family, it has also been called Brazilian mahogany. However, it can be found outside of Brazil in other parts of the Amazon rainforest where it grows wild. Andiroba grows best in rich swampy soils, as well as in the alluvial flats, marshes, and uplands of the Amazon Basin. It can also be found under cultivation in Tocantins and Rio Solimoes. Many people have probably seen pictures of the Andiroba, as it typifies the large-leafed trees of the rainforest. Further, it can be recognized by its large and distinctively textured leaves.

As for Andiroba's use as a flooring material, it is soft, yet durable, and sought after by sawmills. The flooring industry in the United States has benefited from Brazil's export of the species, in part because it is so resistant to insect infestation. This has made it very popular in Brazil as well, and as a result, many trees have been harvested in areas near large Brazilian cities. This has more or less devastated large ecological areas of the rainforest.

The flooring industry is not to blame entirely for the destruction of this species. The Andiroba tree also produces a brown, woody, four-cornered nut, some 3-4 inches across that resembles a chestnut. The nut contains several oil-rich kernels or seeds that average about 63% oil, which has a long history of use in South America as well as commercial value.

References
www.highbeam.com
www.encyclopedia.com

Ash

Ash has earned quite a reputation for its interesting color variations. The outer portion usually has light almond tones, while the ash heartwood tends to be a deep reddish-brown. Aside from the color of the species, the wood's strength has earned it acclaim as well. Because it is such a strong wood, it has been the species of choice for baseball bats and tool handles. However, ash is also a great choice for flooring where some sturdiness is required. It is highly impact resistant and comes in a beautiful light to medium tone.

The quality of ash that is available on the market today is quite superb. Flooring customers can select from variations in clarity, color, grain, widths and lengths. Some companies even mill the wood by hand to bring forth the natural beauty of the wood and to retain the character of the knots and mineral content of the wood.

Because Ash is light in color, it is a great complement to a room where the owner wants to show off either impressive furniture, rugs or artwork. Also, ash is a great choice for any room where its purpose may change over time. For example, if you have an extra bedroom, but may turn it into an office in due time, ash is a great flooring choice because it goes with anything. Not to mention, it is sturdy so no matter what the use of the room over time, the wood flooring can remain the same. Ash is a safe, yet elegant choice for flooring.

References
www.woodzone.com
www.hardwoodinfo.com

Asian Merbau

The name Merbau may not be that familiar, but perhaps you recognize it by another one of its common titles: Ipil, Kwila, Lumpha, Lumpho, Tat-talun or Vesi. This species grows in the Indo-Malayan region, as well as in the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and many of the western Pacific islands. An interesting fact about the term "Merbau" is that it is the Malayan word for wood. In the Philippines it is known as "Ipil." This is another species where the color of the wood will change over time. When freshly cut, the heartwood of Merbau is a yellowish to orange-brown color, but then darkens to brown or red brown. Aside from its color, the grain can also vary from coarse-textured to straight to interlocked or wavy. Because Merbau comes in so many options, it can be difficult to identify from time to time. However, one common and stagnant feature of this species, and thus something to identify it by, is the surface which may have yellow "flecking" in the pores. The remarkable result of this feature is that the finished product may appear almost flecked with gold. While some may think this would be over-the-top for flooring, it looks quite beautiful when finished and incorporated into the décor of the home.

Regarding the durability of Merbau, it is almost as stable as teak, but is comparable to hickory in strength. However, it has a much lower density, but nevertheless is highly resistant to termites. Merbau is one of the most durable wood floor options on the market. The unfortunate result of this is that it can be difficult to work with. The wood tends to gum up the teeth of saws while also dulling the cutting edges. However, on a positive note, it sands and finishes well and has good holding ability. As a final note, care must be taken with Merbau, as contact with moisture or iron and other ferrous metals can stain the wood black.

References
www.asianfloor.com
www.hardwoodinstaller.com

Australian Beech

Australian Beech is one of the most important hardwoods of Australia. Australian Beech is also known as Blackbutt and Pink Blackbutt. The tree can grow to heights reaching 230 feet making it particularly striking in appearance. Adding to its shear beauty is the remarkably straight trunk, which rises to at least half of the tree's height. The wood is renowned for both its strength and versatility and its attractive coloring, which ranges from cream to a pale brown. While most Australian Hardwoods are durable and strong enough to use for any type of building project, the Beech tree is uniquely durable.

The Australian beech adds mystery and depth to any room on account of its colors. The grain is tight and straight. It is highly resistance to decay, even when in ground contact or in persistently damp or poorly ventilated situations. This is a quality that makes Beech a viable option for your outdoor building projects such as outdoor furniture, decking, fencing and retaining walls. The Australian Beech is so resistant to damage that it is a popular and preferred timber for the wooden hulled vessels used in Antarctic exploration.

High tannin content makes Australian Beech less desirable for indoor furniture building, since it may leech its color to both fabric and other painted areas when wet. Yet when allowed free air circulation and erected in a well-drained area, Australian Beech is highly durable and resistant to decay. Like most Australian Hardwoods, Australian Beech readily accepts paint, stain, and polish.

References
www.woodfloors.org
www.australianfloorstyle.com

Australian Cypress

The Australian Cypress is Australia's most traditional building material. However, it is suitable for every temperature and climate, so it has received acclaim across the globe. The visual appeal of Australian cypress, its durability, density, nail holding ability and termite resistance have made Australian cypress an attractive product in international markets, especially for flooring, feature finishes and cabinetry. Of particular interest, the Australian Cypress is the only commercially milled hardwood species that is naturally termite resistant. This has made it exceptionally popular for flooring. Its strength and durability make the Australian Cypress the preferred wood for framing and foundation work, but its warm honey color and its knotty character makes the Australian Cypress a natural for flooring and wood paneling applications. The species offers a nice combination of functionality and style that is unmatched.

The Australian cypress pine is a conifer native to the eastern states of Australia. The distribution of Australian cypress is mostly in inland New South Wales and Southern Queensland. The species is logged on a sustainable basis as part of the Australian Government's Australian Farm Forestry Program.

Style wise, the Australian Cypress has all the rustic warmth and character common in domestic softwoods but offers a strength and toughness beyond Oak. Because of its country charm, the Australian Cypress has acquired a following in certain locations across the United States where its stylistic appeal is most sought after. What was once only available in Australia is now being offered by flooring companies from east to west.

References
www.woodzone.com
www.woodfloors.org