|
Exotic Wood Comparison Guide |
See all wood flooring samples
| WOOD |
OTHER KNOWN NAMES |
HARDNESS
(LBF) |
DECAY & TERMITE RESISTANCE |
DURABILITY |
DENSITY |
RAPTURE STRENGTH |
COST |
USES |
WORKABILITY |
|
BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD |
TAMARINDO |
3000 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Very Good |
47 to 56 lbs/ft3 |
18,970 lbf/in2 |
$$$ |
FLOORING |
Easy to work with both hand and machine
tools, though it may have a slight blunting effect on cutting
edges. Brazilian Rosewood turns, and finishes well, though it
can sometimes be difficult to glue due to its high natural oil
content. |
BRAZILIAN WALNUT
|
IPE |
3680 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Most Durable |
78 lb/ft3 |
26,190 lbf/in2
|
$$ |
FLOORING
DECKING |
Overall, Ipe is a difficult wood to work,
being extremely hard and dense, with high cutting resistance
during sawing. Ipe also has a pronounced blunting effect on
cutting edges. The wood generally planes smoothly, but the grain
can tearout on interlocked areas. Also, Ipe can be difficult to
glue properly, and surface preparation prior to gluing is
recommended. Straight-grained wood turns well, though the
natural powdery yellow deposits can sometimes interfere with
polishing or finishing the wood. |
| TIGERWOOD |
MUIRACATIURA |
2250 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Very Good+ |
60 lb/ft3 |
18,400 lbf/in2 |
$$$ |
FLOORING
DECKING |
Goncalo Alves is generally not too difficult
to work, despite its high density. Figured pieces with irregular
grain can pose a challenge in planing and machining operations.
Goncalo Alves can also have a moderate blunting effect on
cutters. The wood is very resistant to moisture absorption,
which can make it difficult to glue. Goncalo Alves turns and
finishes well. |
|
BRAZILIAN OAK |
TAUARI |
1650 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Very Good |
66 lb/ft3 |
22,580 lbf/in2 |
$$ |
FLOORING |
Although extremely hard and tough, Brazilian
Oak works with limited difficulty with both hand and power
tools. When installing Tauari flooring, it is best to use a
manual nailer, but staples and pneumatic nailers can be used. It
holds screws well, and it glues, stains, and polishes to a very
attractive finish. It can be somewhat difficult to sand with
flooring equipment because of its hardness. Professional sanding
and finishing is recommended. This wood is very resistant to
decay and insects; these resistant properties may contribute to
a possible allergic response to the dust. To avoid a possible
allergic reaction to the material, wear a dust mask and
long-sleeve shirt when working with Brazilian Oak. |
|
SANTOS MAHOGANY |
CABRUEVA |
2200 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Very Good |
58 lb/ft3 |
20,300 lbf/in2 |
$$ |
FLOORING |
This wood is rather hard to carve and work
with tools, but finishes smoothly with sharp tools. It has the
ability to retain its shape ina finished condition. |
BRAZILIAN CHERRY
|
JATOBA |
2820 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Very Good |
68
lb/ft3 |
23,430 lbf/in2 |
$$ |
FLOORING |
Jatoba is considered
difficult to work with on account of its density and hardness,
and has a moderate blunting effect on tool cutters. Jatoba also
tends to be difficult to plane without tearout due to its
interlocking grain. However, Jatoba glues, stains, and finishes
well, and also turns well on the lathe. |
|
BRAZILIAN TEAK |
CUMARU |
3540 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Very Good |
68 lb/ft3 |
24,840 lbf/in2 |
$$$ |
FLOORING
DECKING |
Tends to be difficult to work on account of
its density and interlocked grain. If the grain is not too
interlocked, Cumaru can be surface-planed to a smooth finish.
However, the wood contains silica and will have a moderate
blunting effect on tool cutters. Due to its high oil content and
density, Cumaru can present difficulties in gluing, and
pre-boring is necessary when screwing or nailing the wood.
Cumaru turns well on the lathe. |
| BRAZILIAN CHESTNUT |
SUCUPIRA |
1700 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Very Good |
52 lb/ft3 |
20,040 lbf/in2 |
$$ |
FLOORING |
Sucupira is a medium density wood with
low moisture content. Moderately difficult to work. Good to saw,
but difficult to plane due to interlocked grain. Easy to turn,
with excellent finishing, and with good screw-holding
properties. Finishes well with varnish or polishing since wood
pores are filled properly. |
| BRAZILIAN APITONG |
ANGELISM PEDRA |
3040 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Very Good |
47 lb/ft3 |
18,255 lbf/in2 |
$ |
DECKING |
Angelim pedra is easy to work, with good
machining and sanding qualities. |
| BRAZILIAN REDWOOD |
MASSARANDUBA |
3190 |
15+
VERY HIGH |
Very Good |
66 lb/ft3 |
29,690 lbf/in2 |
$$ |
DECKING |
Massaranduba – RealMassaranduba - decking
lumber planes to a smooth surface. It nails and screws well;
pre-boring is necessary. Because of the straight consistent
grain and lack of knots, building with properly kiln dried
Massaranduba hard wood is a rewarding task. |
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Note: $$$$ is
a figure of a more costly item compared to the other ones.
FLOORING
Wood Species & Varieties
Brazillian Cherry, Brazilian Oak, Brazilian Rosewood,
Brasilian Teak, Brazilian Walnut, Santos Mahogany,
Tigerwood, Brazilian Chestnut
|
DECKING
Exotic Wood Decking
Angelism Pedra, Cumaru, Garapa, Ipe, Masaranduba,
Muiracatiara
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LUMBER
Bulk Exotic Lumber
Angelism Pedra, Bloodwood, Cumaru, Ipe, Jatoba, Santos
mahogany, Sucupira, Tatajuba, Tigerwood, Violetta & more
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