Brazilian teak, known as Cumaru in Brazil, is an excellent choice for any consumer seeking a weather resistant, durable, and attractive hardwood floor. Before making the plunge and upgrading, however, it is always a good practice to learn as much as possible at the hardwood flooring in question. So what are the facts about Brazilian teak flooring?
First one should understand that there is some confusion about Brazilian teak light and Southern Chestnut, which many claim are Brazilian teak or variations of Brazilian teak. The truth is that neither Brazilian teak “light” nor Southern Chestnut are technically members of family of teak trees, known as genus Tectona. They may have a lot of visual similarities with Brazilian teak and either might look great in a home or workplace, they simply aren’t the genuine article.
For those consumers with environmental concerns, remember to look for Brazilian teak flooring with a Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC logo. This logo is available only on products from companies that meet very rigorous standards and have a positive net effect on the environment.
Authentic Brazilian teak flooring comes in colors ranging from a handsome medium tan to a deep reddish brown. Generally speaking the coloration of Brazilian teak flooring has deeper brown tones than traditional teak flooring. Like non-Brazilian varieties of teak the grain is tightly packed and ranges in color from deep browns to near black.
Another characteristic of Cumaru is its extremely high score on the Janka hardness scale. The Janka hardness scale is used to rate wood flooring for its resistance to being dented, dinged, chipped, or otherwise physically damaged. Brazilian teak scores 3540, which is substantially more than American red oak which only rates 1260.
In addition to its innate hardness, Brazilian teak flooring is also highly resistant to fungal infections, termite infestations, and nonabrasive liquids. Bear in mind that resistance to liquids is not the same thing as complete imperviousness; Owners of Brazilian teak floors should still clean up spills in a timely fashion, especially if the liquid might cause a stain. The combination of robust resistances and a sky high Janka hardness score readily translate into a hardwood flooring that is ideal for active families, and even owners of large canines.
Of course, like all hardwood floors Brazilian teak flooring does require periodic maintenance. Recommendations on how often such maintenance should be performed vary from vendor to vendor but a good rule of thumb is once every three to five years. The maintenance might be inconvenient if it isn’t timed to coincide with a vacation, but it is certainly worth the effort involved to have easily cleaned exotic flooring that will last a lifetime.
Pricing for Brazilian teak flooring varies from region to region, by quality, and from time to time. A survey done in preparation for this writing showed that unfinished Brazilian teak flooring could be found for prices between $2 and $5 per square foot depending on factors such as quality and the desired plank width. Prefinished planks start at approximately $4 and can easily top $7 per square foot, again depending on factors such as quality and plank width. These prices do not factor in shipping or installation.
It is very important to understand that many contractors refuse to deal with various forms of unfinished teak. While there may be justifiable reasons for this, the end result is that it may be necessary to opt for a prepared surface that already contains multiple coats of compounds such as aluminum oxide, which protect against scratching and harmful UV rays. Of course, one can always choose to take the entire contracting job themselves, or find a contractor that is amenable to working with Brazilian teak flooring. It may be worth ones time to ask probing questions of trustworthy contractors that won’t deal with Brazilian teak flooring. Perhaps the hurdle is nothing more than their lack of proper supplies that could be easily remedied by the buyer.
Brazilian teak planks are available in widths as small as approximately 2 inches all the way up to planks that are over 5 inches wide. The width of the plank is an important consideration for many owners. Some feel that smaller planks make a living or working space look efficient and energetic while others believe that larger planks lend a homey feeling and a sense of stability.
No matter which color or plank size of Brazilian hardwood flooring is chosen, the results are bound to be striking and add significant value to the home or office in which it is installed.