Domestic Hardwood Floors Vs Exotics

If you"re considering purchasing hardwood flooring for your home

, at some point, you"ll have to select a wood species. Sure you like these colors, but choosing the canvas you wish to paint them on is just as important, if not more important. By learning about the different kinds of hardwood floors available, you can become a more-educated homeowner and make the decision that suits you and your family"s needs best.

The woods that are used to create hardwood floors fall into two categories: Domestic hardwood floors and exotic hardwood floors. Domestics are woods that are grown in the U.S. and include Oak, Maple, and Hickory. Exotics are woods grown outside of the U.S. in places like South and Central America and include Brazilian Cherry, Amendoim, Tigerwood, and Mahogany.

Domestics like Oak Hardwoods are relatively inexpensive because they are grown in the U.S. and are plentiful as far as availability. Look outside your front door and chances are, you"ll see an oak tree. The same goes for maple wood floors. Because of this, domestic hardwoods are relatively inexpensive compared to their exotic counterparts.

With exotic hardwoods, you"ll pay a higher price, but with it comes a rare product that you won"t see everyday, if at all. Amendoim hardwood floors are made from Brazilian oak trees and are under strict regulation for growth. The same goes for Mahogany hardwood floors, which come from Cuba, Honduras, and Belize.

With domestics like oak floors, you can pay as little as $3.39 per square foot, and around $5.00 for both solids and engineered woods. The same goes for maple although there is a slight cost increase for this particular wood compared to oak.

With exotics, there is a definite cost increase associated with it, but that"s the price homeowners are willing to pay to be unique. You can get a very reasonably-priced exotic floor by purchasing an engineered product, though, and pay anywhere from $4.00-$6.00 for an Engineered Tigerwood Hardwood Floor, compared to some of the outrageous prices for solids. BR111 is a brand that specializes in making quality exotics affordable to homeowners.

If you"re interested in learning more about hardwood floors, both domestic and exotic, contact a hardwood flooring retail specialist. Many times these retail stores can offer better deals than the manufacturer because they purchase these products in bulk. They can also help you select the most appropriate flooring option for your home, and your family.

by: Laine McKenna

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