| Hardwood flooring can be a lovely new addition to | | | | South American redwood doesn't have quite the |
| your home, but deciding which floor to purchase | | | | redness of cherry, nor does it as photo-sensitive, but |
| based on style, and factoring in the costs can be a | | | | it is equally as beautiful, but with softer character |
| real pain in the neck. But no worries. In the first part | | | | lines. Looks best when kept close to its natural state |
| of this two-part series, we'll compare of the various | | | | color-wise. Engineered options range from $2.89 to |
| types of exotic hardwood flooring options available | | | | $6.69 per square foot. Solid floors range from $4.09 |
| by style and price. | | | | to $7.70. |
| 1) Bamboo Hardwood Floors - An eco-friendly flooring | | | | 5) Brazilian Walnut - Considered one of the strongest |
| option with a cost that ranges anywhere from $4 to | | | | hardwood species available. Colors range from olive |
| $6 per square foot. For a 12 x 12 room, that would | | | | to chocolate brown to black, with swirls in the wood, |
| be $575 - $1,870. Perfect for folks with minimalist | | | | although not as dramatic as its American counterpart. |
| style and lots of open space in their homes. | | | | Like other Brazilian woods, it has a lovely 'watercolor' |
| 2) Tigerwood Floors - Engineered Tigerwood can | | | | effect. Solids range from $4.63 to $11.99. The |
| cost as little as $2.79 per square foot - that's | | | | downside to Brazilian Walnut is that there are no |
| considered dirt-cheap by any standard, let along | | | | engineered options currently available from BR111. |
| exotics. But the quality of this product is anything but | | | | 6) Santos Mahogany - The rich red hues of this |
| cheap, and the beauty of this wood, with its | | | | wood look like a vibrant sunset, and combined with |
| caramel-colored variations, is undeniable. | | | | the unique grain markings, this hardwood is unlike any |
| 3) Brazilian Cherry - The apple of the exotic flooring | | | | other. A very affordable exotic with engineered |
| community's eye...for now at least! This lovely | | | | products ranging from $3.19 to $6.69, with solids |
| redwood will deepen in color as it ages and is | | | | starting at just $4.99 up to $13.85 for a monstrous 7 |
| currently the most popular exotic wood on the | | | | ¾ wide plank. A variety of plank sizes available but |
| market. Looks beautiful when made into furniture as | | | | only one real color option, although changing the color |
| well! Engineered varieties range from $2.79 per | | | | would detract from the wood's natural beauty. |
| square foot to $6.69 for distressed wood. Solids | | | | Creates a very regal-looking floor. |
| range from $3.69 to $9.12 depending on plank size | | | | For more information on exotic hardwood floors, talk |
| and distressing techniques. | | | | to an authorized exotic hardwoods reseller, and stay |
| 4) Amendoim - Also known as 'Brazilian Oak,' this | | | | tuned for part two where we compare domestics! |