Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) Flooring
About Brazilian Cherry
The Jatoba (Hymenaea Courbaril) or Brazilian Cherry is a beautiful species of tree, native to parts of Central America, southern Mexico, northern South America, and the West Indies. It can reach heights of up to 50 meters, making it one of the tallest trees in the Amazon rainforest. The trunk has an orange tint with distinctive pale white stripes running along the length of it. The leaves are glossy green on top and golden underneath.
This hardy tree can withstand temperatures ranging from -4°C to 35°C and requires moist soils full of organic matter for optimal growth. It has a long lifetime when well taken care of, up to 500 years or even more in some cases.
Also known as Stinkingtoe, due to its elongated, foul-smelling locust-like fruit, the jatoba fruit pulp is edible to humans and animals. During its flowering season, the jatoba tree is adorned with gorgeous creamy-coloured flowers.
While this attractive tree might look delicate, its trunk is actually very strong and durable. Because of this quality, the jatoba tree serves as an ideal source of timber for construction.
Brazilian Cherry Timber
Jatoba is known for its exceptionally durable wood, which is commonly used as flooring and furniture material thanks to its sturdiness and attractive reddish-brown colour. It is also used for its strength in industrial applications like railroad ties, wooden gears, shipbuilding, and tool handles.
When initially milled, the heartwood is a light colour which, over time, darkens into the rich brown colour and red streaks it is known for. The name Brazilian Cherry is actually a nod to the jatoba timber colour, as it is not related to the cherry tree. The sapwood is a light greyish yellow, clearly demarcated from the heartwood.
The timber has a unique, interlocking grain with a medium to coarse texture, which makes it particularly dimensionally stable against shrinking or swelling when exposed to changes in temperature or humidity. In addition to being resistant to insects, fungi, and rot, it is highly sought after due to its resistance to fire.
The famously dense and hard Jatoba wood can be a challenge to work with and has a moderate blunting effect on tool cutters. However, Jatoba steam-bends, glues, stains, turns, and finishes well.
Brazilian Cherry Flooring
Jatoba is incredibly popular as a flooring timber due to its hardness and stability. This durable flooring is resistant to scratches, dents and imperfections, making it ideal for high-traffic areas of the home or commercial uses. Due to its density, Jatoba is fire and bug resistant. The natural oils in the timber eradicate mites and spores too, keeping your space safe from allergens.
Flooring made of jatoba timber provides a stunning centrepiece for any home. Its deep, luxurious red undertones and intricate wood grains stand out from more traditional flooring options. With its warm colour palette, it pairs beautifully with other wooden furnishings in your house to create an inviting atmosphere of luxury and comfort.
It is recommended to clean jatoba flooring with a dust mop, soft-bristled broom, vacuum cleaner, or a wood floor mop kit. Never use a wet mop or a steam mop, as excess water can seep between the boards and cause damage.
As a flooring option, jatoba is warm and rich, making it perfect for the home or commercial spaces. This hard-wearing timber flooring option has an unmatchable texture that will complete any home.
Brazilian Cherry Pre-Finished Solid Timber Flooring
Pre-finished timber flooring is popular option because it is easier to install than raw hardwood planks. The installation process is faster and creates less mess and fumes in your home than raw timber which needs to be sanded and finished. It also means that there is no drying time and your floors are ready to walk on straight away. All of Back to Timber’s pre-finished timber comes from sustainable forests and plantations.
The colour profile of the pre-finished Brazilian Cherry flooring is light orangish brown to a darker reddish brown, sometimes with contrasting darker greyish brown streaks. The tone of the floor tends to darken when exposed to light over a long period.
If you have questions about Brazilian Cherry flooring or any other flooring products, please contact our friendly team. We’d love to hear from you!
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