When choosing hardwood flooring for their homes, most people generally tend to go for traditional varieties such as white or red oak, maple, or cherry. Whilst it’s true that these species are all extremely hardwearing and durable, and come in many different shades and textures; your home could really benefit if you tried something new and unique.
There are estimated to be around 100,000 species of trees in the world at present, but obviously only a few hundred of these are suitable for producing hardwood flooring. The following are a few unusual species that are increasingly gaining popularity:
• Rosewood – This is an extremely beautiful, hard and durable species, known for its decorative features and applications. In terms of colour, you can expect anything from a deep purple with black flecks to a dark brown; all fading to a delightful golden brown over time.
• Jatoba – A characteristically hard wood, Jatoba has rich pink/reddish brown colours that deepen with age.
• Merbau – Also one of the hardest species you can go for, Merbau has interesting characteristics when it comes to colour. The heartwood colour is yellow or more of an orange brown – darkening to reddish brown over time- but the yellow tones change when the wood is sanded or restored, leaving a sort of golden finish.
