From Australian Spotted Gum to Zimbabwean Bamboo, exotic hardwoods come from all over the globe.
Not as common as traditional maple or oak flooring, exotics are gaining in popularity in the United States and given the number of varieties, an option can be found for any interior design style.
Here is an overview of some exotics you should consider for your next floor project.
Spotted Gum
Boasting a high hardness rating, Australian Spotted Gum hardwood floors are ideal for high-traffic environments. Spotted Gum’s grain has a beautiful fiddle-back effect, and its color variation ranges from chocolate brown to soft cream.
Cumaru
Also called Brazilian Teak, Cumaru is a dense wood from Brazil that has a unique, interlocking grain. Medium brown and beige tones make any room with Cumaru flooring warm and inviting.
Santos Mahogany
One of the most coveted hardwood floors, Santos Mahogany has the enviable quality of being as resplendent as it is durable. Deep red and brown tones make a striking impression, and an astounding hardness rating makes it incredibly durable.
Brazilian Walnut
Brazilian Walnut has a unique color range, from light to dark olive brown with contrasting grey-brown tones, creating a veritable symphony of color that softens over time. It also has a fantastic hardness rating, making this exotic wood a tremendous value.
Brazilian Cherry
Brazilian Cherry is extremely popular and makes for an exquisite exotic hardwood floor. Varying shades of reds and browns with occasional strokes of black create depth and contrast that is truly stunning. It’s a heavy wood and hard to cut, making it one of the most durable options.
Bamboo
Bamboo has only recently been utilized as flooring, but it's a trend that is quickly catching on. Because of its unique aesthetic appeal, Bamboo is best suited for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry and recreation rooms. Versatile, durable, and environmentally beneficial, this exotic floor makes a lasting impression.
Amendoim
Amendoim has a lustrous quality with deep tan and reddish-brown hues that darken over time. Also called Brazilian Oak, Amendoim hardwood has a distinctive wavy grain.
Make an impression by installing an exotic wood floor in your home. The superior quality and aesthetic appeal of these woods will not only increase the beauty of your home, but the value as well.
Photo by alex.ch. Available under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
