Hardwood flooring has been a popular choice for homeowners for many years. Recently, exotic hardwood flooring has become the home décor’ trend. These woods add an old world sense of elegance to the home. Many of these exotic woods come from Africa, Asia and Brazil.

One exotic hardwood that has become all rage is Brazilian Cherry. Also known as Jatoba, Brazilian Cherry is altogether different from the traditional hardwoods like Oak or maple. Brazilian Cherry hardwood is a darker reddish brown with many more swirls and knots. Also, Brazilian Cherry is stronger and more durable than other hardwood flooring, including Oak. Brazilian Cherry is sustainably harvested, making it a better choice than many types of flooring due to the popularity of the green movement.

Brazilian Cherry’s Appearance

The look of Brazilian Cherry flooring is undoubtedly one of the reasons for its immense popularity. Colors range from deep, rich oranges to deep, reddish browns. These colors are contrasted by elaborate dark grains that vary across the wood from straight to flowing patterns.

Brazilian Cherry’s appearance changes over time. As it ages, the colors of the wood tend to grow deeper and darker, making the wood even more beautiful as it ages. Like wine, Brazilian Cherry gets better as it ages.

Strong Wood Flooring

Although the standard for wood flooring that is strong and durable has always been considered to be Oak, the popularity explosion of exotic wood floorings has shown that Brazilian Cherry is twice as strong as Oak. This makes it more resistant to scratches and dents.

The downside to Brazilian Cherry being so strong is that an everyday handyman is probably not going to be able to install it; a professional contractor should be called. If not installed correctly, the wood can shift and pull apart over time due to its density.

Eco Friendly Wood Flooring

Brazilian Cherry is considered eco-friendly or “green” due to the fact that it is harvested in a sustainable method. The drawback to this statement is that not all Brazilian Cherry being sold on the market is eco-friendly. The wood should have a LEED rating clearly designating it as a sustainable, eco-friendly product.

Cleaning Brazilian Cherry Wood Floors

Care and cleaning of Brazilian Cherry wood flooring is much like caring and cleaning for other hardwood flooring, there are preventative steps that need to be taken to protect the floors, a list of things not to do and basic cleaning steps.

Preventing the floor from being damaged is one of the first things a new exotic hardwood floor owner should be aware of, even before the installation. All furniture should have felt protective pads placed on the legs or other parts that touch the floor. This will prevent marring and scratching of the floor.

High traffic areas should have rugs or mats placed on the floor to prevent a buildup of dirt and grime that can lead to scratching.

Wet mops should never be used on the floor. Spills should be cleaned up immediately. When cleaning, never use ammonia or other harsh chemicals; use only cleaning solutions that have been recommended by the manufacture or make a solution of water and 10% Windex (glass cleaner) and use this for cleaning the floor. Hardwood floors should be vacuumed or swept often to prevent the accumulation of any dirt that can cause scratches.

Brazilian Cherry hardwood flooring is an excellent flooring choice for durability and beauty. Stronger than Oak flooring and just as beautiful, this wood will be more beautiful in ten years than it is today.

-Sharon V Chapman