A guide to buying exotic hardwood floors

Bring a touch of exotica to your home with exotic hardwood flooring. Although more expensive than other hardwood floors, its quality and durability makes it a better investment. With its distinct colour and superior wood grain, it also has an aesthetic edge. Read on for a brief understanding of the factors to consider before buying this form of wood flooring.

Main factors for selection

Species Exotic hardwood comes from many species and each has its unique characteristic. You must decide one that meets your budget and your requirements. Colour of the wood is decided by the species and which part of the tree it comes from. Grain pattern tells you not just about the species, but also how it was cut. Exotic woods tend to come in darker colours and are generally very hard. Popular choices are Ipe, Jarrah and Jatoba wood. Finishing You may choose pre-finished hardwood flooring or you may prefer to ‘finish in place’. The latter term refers to the practice of getting unfinished hardwood to your place. You can then get it installed, sanded and stained. The last step is to finish it with at least two coats of urethane. The advantage is the customisation and exclusivity. On the other hand, this takes time, can be messy and is inevitable to collect marks and dust particle as it dries. If the disadvantages bother you, consider the alternative pre-finished hardwood floor. These come already sanded, stained and finished. Multiple coats of urethane are sprayed and then UV dried for lasting finish. If needed, it can be screened and recoated.

Other factors

Weather effect
Exotic hardwood flooring like any other wooden flooring is affected by the weather. It expands and contracts with changes in the temperature and moisture. This can lead to cracks and fissures. Cost Needless to say that the cost of buying and installing the floor must fit in your budget. The first step, of course, is to find the ‘cost per foot’. However, there are many additional costs. Find out the cost of demolishing the existing floor. Then add in factors like delivery and installation costs. In addition, wooden floors need good care for durability. Exotic floors are often more expensive than other hardwood floors. However, like the Brazilian cherry floors or Jatoba, they are tougher, look better and can prove to be more durable. Treat this as an investment. Consider these factors before you go for exotic flooring. With their toughness and high quality, they are worth your time and money.