Most people know a high-quality hardwood floor when they see it; the color is rich and vibrant, the grain pattern is intricate and interesting, and the finish is bright and evenly applied. But how many people know the actual wood species that create those incredibly eye-catching, colorful hardwood floors? The following are six of the most fascinating exotic hardwood flooring choices available today. These hardwoods all feature wonderful color combinations, fantastic grain patterns and rugged durability, and are great complements to any room décor.
Acacia
The flair that makes Acacia hardwood interesting comes from its assortment of colors and tones as well as its dark grain. Ranging in color from deep red to light brown to purple, Acacia is a sophisticated hardwood that will last for years and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
The strength and durability statistics for Acacia hardwood are as follows:
Hardness: 1,750 pounds
Strength/MOR: 17,500 psi
Stiffness/MOE: 2,080 1000 psi
Density: 540 KG/m3
Tangential Shrinkage: 7%
Radial Shrinkage: 3.1%
Bubinga
Made from a tree originating in central and western Africa, Bubinga features a deep brown color with striking red tones and a wavy, fluid grain pattern that makes planks seem to blend into each other. Bubinga wood is used for high end applications other than flooring, too – many guitar manufacturers use Bubinga for custom orders. Bubinga is an incredibly hard, dense wood, making it naturally resistant to termite and insect infestation. If you’re looking for hardwood flooring with a warm feel and an eye-catching appearance, look no further than Bubinga.
The strength and durability statistics for Bubinga hardwood are as follows:
Hardness: 2,630 pounds
Strength/MOR: 22,600 psi
Stiffness/MOE: 2,480 1000 psi
Density: 960 KG/m3
Tangential Shrinkage: 8.4%
Radial Shrinkage: 5.8%
Ipe
Ipe hardwood flooring has become incredibly popular over the past few years, and with good reason. Ipe’s dark brown colors are accented with light under tones and a smooth, tight grain pattern. Because of its hardness and density, Ipe is another very durable hardwood flooring choice. In fact, Ipe is so dense that it is ranked in the same class of fire-retardant materials as steel. If longevity and durability are your main concerns, Ipe hardwood is probably the right choice for you.
The strength and durability statistics for Ipe are as follows:
Hardness: 3,680 pounds
Strength/MOR: 25,400 psi
Stiffness/MOE: 3,140 1000 psi
Density: 1,025 KG/m3
Tangential Shrinkage: 8%
Radial Shrinkage: 6.6%
Morado
One of the most interesting hardwood flooring choices available, Morado wood has a dark brown heartwood that is contrasted by bright cream-colored streaks. The interlocked grain pattern is mostly straight but can include interesting, irregular curves and waves. Because of its beauty, Morado is often used for decorative purposes, including veneers and cabinets. However, many homeowners are taking advantage of its stunning appearance to liven up a living or dining room floor.
The strength and durability statistics for Morado are as follows:
Hardness: 2,400 pounds
Strength/MOR: 17,700 psi
Stiffness/MOE: 1,351 1000 psi
Density: 880 KG/m3
Tangential Shrinkage: 6.7%
Radial Shrinkage: 2.9%
Purpleheart
This world-famous hardwood gets its name from its heartwood, which changes from brown to deep purple once exposed to air. Exposure to light changes the color over time, slowly adding rich brown tones to the wood. Purpleheart’s grain pattern is long and tight, complementing the color scheme without distracting from it. It is also a very durable wood, with a very high density and strength rating. Not for everyone, Purpleheart works best as the main focus of the room. After all, purple floors tend to draw attention from other furnishings.
The strength and durability statistics of Purpleheart are as follows:
Hardness: 1,860 pounds
Strength/MOR: 21,300 psi
Stiffness/MOE: 2,420 1000 psi
Density: 1,057 KG/m3
Tangential Shrinkage: 6.1%
Radial Shrinkage: 3.2%
Tigerwood
One of the most distinctive exotic hardwoods on the market, Tigerwood features vibrant reddish-brown tones and dark black striping – hence its name. The interlocked, wavy grain pattern nicely complements the striping, making this a dynamic, eye-catching hardwood flooring choice. Tigerwood’s high strength and density make it perfect for high-traffic areas such as entranceways and living rooms.
The strength and durability statistics of Tigerwood are as follows:
Hardness: 1,8500 pounds
Strength/MOR: 20,120 psi
Stiffness/MOE: 2,390 1000 psi
Density: 660 KG/m3
Tangential Shrinkage: 7.6%
Radial Shrinkage: 4%
Colorful, eye-catching hardwood floors add flair and value to any home, and now that you know more about the features of some of the top exotic hardwood varieties available you can feel confident choosing the perfect hardwood for your home.
