Exotic wood flooring remains a popular choice for homeowners, and Tigerwood flooring is one of the most sought-after styles for South American exotic woods. Tigerwood offers dramatic color and excellent durability, perfect for making a statement.
What other benefits can you expect from this popular wood species? And why should you choose Tigerwood over other wood types available?
Benefits of Tigerwood Flooring
A deep, dark brown streaking across a tan or deep orange background color characterizes this wood species, also referred to as Brazilian Koa or Zebrawood. It makes sense that most refer to it as Tigerwood, given the distinct appearance. That’s also much more manageable than the botanical name – Astronium fraxinifolium.
This wood is even-grained and fairly consistent, growing straight and strong in South American soil. Often exported from Brazil, Tigerwood may also come from Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
Tigerwood provides a dramatic look to any floor, with rich oranges and browns setting off other colors in the room. Give your home a custom look with this exotic wood flooring, so markedly different than the typical oak and maple offerings. Be aware that this wood darkens when exposed to sunlight, and the color variance tends to mellow over time. This phenomenon is not unusual for certain South American exotics.
Naturally strong and durable, Tigerwood or Brazilian Koa wood flooring has a Janka hardness rating at 2160, far above other common flooring types and providing solid protection against even the most consistent wear and force. Harder than Hickory, Tigerwood carries a premium price tag and is available in long lengths.
As an added bonus, this type of wood is highly resistant to pest infestation, particularly beetles. Many exotic wood imports offer similar benefits, thanks to the climate and growing conditions of the native Central and South American soil.
How to Care For Tigerwood Flooring
Much like all hardwood flooring, Brazilian Koa should be well cared for in order to optimize appearance and longevity. Regular vacuuming removes small debris and dirt that can mark the wood finish. Tigerwood is hard wearing, making it an ideal choice for high traffic areas such as hallways and living rooms. But as with all genuine wood floors, it’s important to wipe up spills right away to preserve the floor.
Some people prefer to install light-filtering sheers and window treatments, in order to reduce the darkening that occurs with this exotic wood. Use felt pads under heavy furniture and rely on rugs to protect the flooring from scratches and gouging in high traffic areas.
Installation Tips
The strength of Brazilian Koa presents an advantage to consumers, but it may also challenge the DIY crowd. Carbon-tipped saw blades are required to work with this type of wood, meaning your average household tools may not fit the bill for this type of hardwood floor installation.
Ask your flooring dealer about any special tools needed for the installation of Tigerwood flooring when tackling the challenge yourself or hire a pro with experience working with exotic wood species. The attractive coloring and hard wearing strength make this an excellent choice for modern homes, and with the proper care, you can expect Tigerwood Brazilian Koa flooring to look amazing for years.
Unique Wood Floors is the premier dealer of South American Exotic woods. For a sample shipped to direct to your home visit our Solid Tigerwood and Engineered Tigerwood listing or call us today.