What is the difference between Brazilian walnut and American walnut hardwood floors?
Exotic hardwood floors continue to gain popularity, and with that growth comes the comparison of exotic species with domestic species. Such is the case of domestic hickory versus Brazilian hickory, also known as Ipe.
On the Janka hardness scale, Brazilian walnut measures almost at the top of the list: 3680. American black walnut is 1010. This suggests greater durability and also shows its high resistance to insects and natural elements compared to its counterpart. U.S. In fact, this wood is estimated to last up to 40 years if left untreated and 100 years with proper maintenance and care.
Unlike the American black walnut, which has a very dark color, the Brazilian walnut ranges from olive to chocolate brown to dark. Both species have beautiful markings that look like watercolor brush strokes in the forest with slight natural color variations. However, hickory tends to have more swirls, curls, and color variations. Both have a fine-grained appearance to which the “watercolor effect” can be attributed.
In terms of price, they are somewhat comparable to each other, unlike other exotic species, whose prices skyrocket over their domestic counterparts. You can find designed hickory for $ 5.19 to $ 5.41 for 3 or 5 inch boards, while you can find Brazilian walnut for 3 inch thickness for $ 7.43 to $ 8.74 for 5 ½ inches, and the price differences are mainly attributed to the cost of importing the woods.
In addition to hardwood floors, Brazilian walnut is also used for outdoor furniture and construction, particularly wood decking due to its toughness, but it also resists decay, mold, fungus, and insects.
In terms of manufacturers offering this unique wood, BR111 Flooring has several Ipe products, as do Johnson Flooring and Triangulo Hardwoods. For information on Ipe, it is best to contact an authorized reseller that has these three brands. They can show you product samples and help you determine which hardwood flooring is right for your home.