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Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Floor Information
Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring is an excellent choice if you'd like to add refinement and elegance, not to mention value, to your home. The color is rich, the quality is high and the beauty is long lasting. Typically harvested from South America and Mexico, Brazilian Cherry is a tan or salmon color as it's milled but dries to a deep brownish red color. The product is known to be very consistent in color. You may also find some timber from Central America or the West Indies. Measuring HardnessThe Janka hardness scale is the flooring industry standard for measuring how hard a species is. The test measures the force necessary to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in a sample from the species being tested. The higher the Janka hardness rating, the more durable and tolerant of denting the wood will be. Brazilian Cherry has a Janka hardness of 2350, unfinished and untreated. In contrast, Brazilian Walnut is rated at 3684; Pecan is rated at 1820; White Oak scores a 1360 and White Pine scores 420. Brazilian cherry has become very popular because of it's durability and longevity. Also known as jatoba, this species finishes well and is easily matched because of it's regularity in color. Local wood and flooring specialists, do-it-yourself home improvement stores and online retailers usually carry finished and pre-finished planks and strips. InstallationThe disadvantages of using Brazilian Cherry as your hardwood floor is the installation. Because it is so hard, it has a tendancy to require a lot of force and sturdy tools to nail or screw down. It is also a very dense material, making it heavier than other lumber choices. It's often a more expensive choice than other species as well. Care and MaintenanceYour wood floor is not impermeable to grit, dirt, food spills, water, scrapes or scratches. Preventative measures like laying down area rugs and felt protectors on all furniture are highly recommended. Maintenance should include frequent sweeping or vacuuming, as often as every day. Mopping with a well rung, barely damp soft mop is needed on a weekly basis or as spills occur. Check with your manufacturer for preferred products, as using many common floor cleaners can actually void your warranty. You should also consider a no-shoes policy or, at the very least, keep shoe heels in good repair and pet nails trimmed. Standing water and other liquid can penetrate finishes and eventually cause severe and expensive water damage. Wipe up wet spills immediately. When cared for correctly, a Brazilian Cherry hardwood floor is an investment that will last a lifetime. |