African Padauk
Hardness: 7.3 Stability: Good
Another spectacular colored wood, this time from Africa. Padauk is orange red with a lovely flowing grain. Padauk is harder than oak, relatively stable and finishes very well. This stunning wood is again for the person looking for a dramatic floor that makes a statement.
American Cherry
Hardness: 4.2 Stability: Good
Probably one of the most beautiful wood there is, American Cherry has a grain pattern that is almost three-dimensional and is really quite stunning. Don’t forget the color – ranging from a pinkish-brown through to a deep red – cherry is truly a wood of outstanding warmth and beauty. Though it is one of the more stable hardwoods, cherry is isn’t the hardest, so be warned. It takes a stain well and finishes extremely well. Alas! Without knots there is a hefty price tag
Bloodwood
Hardness: 8.5 Stability: Good
As the name suggests Bloodwood is deep rich blood red color with a subtle grain pattern. This vibrant wood is another of natures gems, it is very hard and durable with solid stability characteristics. With such a vivid color, a bloodwood floor is a bold statement that will define any house.
Cottage Cherry
Hardness: 4.2 Stability: Good
Picked for color and the beauty of growing marks and knots, Cottage Cherry is a gorgeous floor made in bevel edged planks in 4 – 8 inch widths. The rich red-brown, fine textured wood resembles the look of floors from 18th century rural France
Naturals & Country Cuts
Hardness: Various Stability: Various
Naturals, like rustics, are a character grade containing the same kind of blemishes. The only difference is these cuts will just have less of these natural growing marks. Natural Ash for example has no knots like Rustic Ash, but will contain a higher degree of color variation than White Ash. For many people this grade is more attractive than a clear grade, but of course the price is generally that much less. For specific information on these grades please check with a sales person.
Rustics
Hardness: Various Stability: Various
The Rustic versions of these woods simply contain knots, open knots, checks, cracks, and natural growing marks. All other characteristics are identical. For some this is exactly what they are looking for, the so-called blemishes are as nature intended and only serve to enhance the style of the floor. The prices are also very attractive. Rustics can produce a floor of unique quality and unrivaled character, and for some the rougher the better.
Tiger Wood / Goncalo Alves
Hardness: 9.5 Stability: Good
This boldly striped wood is an orange/red brown with both wide and fine dark stripes. Time will see the lighter orange tones turn a darker red brown which will in turn make the striping more subtle. At about 80% harder than red oak this stunning wood is becoming more popular as a practical yet beautiful choice.
White Ash
Hardness: 5.9 Stability: Good
Almost white with just a hint of yellow and beige – and with a deeply defined grain – Ash is a beautiful and under-used flooring wood. Because of its hardness and light color, Ash is a very difficult wood to stain. However, its natural color for those who are looking for a light floor is simply gorgeous. Most of our Ash comes from around the Canadian border, so it’s slow grown in a cooler climate, which makes it harder and more durable than oak. Why else would they make baseball bats out of it?
