At Bayou Rustic 2 of our 3 principles are LSU Alumni and imported floors. That being said, Tigerwood has to be the first Brazilian hardwood post, right? It’s known by a variety of names including Brazilian koa, Congo wood, African walnut, courbaril, bototo, zorrowood, and muiracatiara. A key benefit of Tigerwood, besides the colors are health benefits. Brazilian Tigerwood is naturally resistant to decay and rot, it attracts no fungus or any type of mold making it hypoallergenic. Today it is fast becoming popular choice with households who see it as a way to remain germ free more naturally. Our unfinished Tigerwood in natural and select grade floors; 3 ¼ and 5”, ask about prefinished Tigerwood.
Why buy Tigerwood hardwood floors?
After the hypoallergenic, durability and rot resistance the colors and exotic look provided by the floors round out the list. The name is derived from the black stripes found on the tree and flooring. These stripes contrast with a warm amber color similar to Tigers coat. Compared to Brazilian Teak or Walnut an 1890 Janka rating (similar to domestic hickory) seems quite low. However, workability matters and Tigerwood is “DIY suitable” when Ipe’ (Brazilian Walnut) or Cumaru (Brazilian Teak) require special saw blades, for starters. Tigerwood floors are an exotic imported hardwood with both looks and workability, making it unique within that market.
More about Brazilian Walnut and Teak
The benefits of Brazilian Hardwoods such as Ipe (Walnut) or Cumaru (Teak) begin with the Janka ratings. If you drop a piece of Ipe’ on concrete it sounds like metal, it has fireproof designation and will last up to 30 years outside, unfinished. Ipe’ has Janka rating of 3680 while Cumaru sits at 3460, 3 times that of domestic Red Oak and 2x Hickory our hardest domestic. As mentioned above, these species are difficult for most DIY folks simply because of the installation process because they are easy to finish. For information on these are any exotic imports, please contact Bayou Rustic and let us walk you through your options or buy now.
