Exotic Hardwood Floors: Choices to Enrich Your Environment

Exotic hardwood floors, which are gaining in status and breaking new ground, are used for their distinct look.

Basic Rules:

1. Some exotic hardwood floors require a bit more care than standard flooring. You should always ask about any special care requirements when shopping for imported exotic hardwood flooring.
2. Clean up spills as they occur, and never let food or liquid sit on the floor for any length of time, as staining may take place.
3. Clean the floor regularly with a proper wood floor cleaner, and never use ammonia or bleach-based household cleaners or oil soaps.

Exotic Options:

1. Exotic hardwood floors provide a collection of grains, grades, flavors, and options, such as size and color. They come from places such as Africa, Australia, South America, the Far East, and other countries, and they offer differing grains, colors, and patterns.
2. Other exotic hardwood options include Asian mahogany, kempas, taun, jatoba, and bamboo. One exotic wood, a Brazilian specie called Ipe, boasts a Janka hardness rating of 3,860 lbs., making it three times as hard as the industry hardness standard, Red Oak, with a Janka hardness rating of 1,290 lbs.

Pricing for exotic hardwood floors will range from $4.00 t o $7.00 per square foot.