- This hardwood is harvested from Brazilian cherry trees, which have a diameter of 5 to 6 feet and an average height of 100 feet, though they can grow as high as 130 feet. The trees grows on slopes near riverbanks and on ridges in Peru, Bolivia, Mexico and Brazil, and the wood is highly resistant to brown-rot and white-rot fungi, as well as dry-rot termites. Besides being a very popular choice for flooring, Brazilian cherry hardwood is used for indoor and outdoor furniture, interior paneling and wood trim.
- Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring has a golden luster, and its interlocking grains usually have a medium to course texture. It is very versatile and can be used in casual or formal settings, fitting well with most décors. You can find the wood in many styles, including stained or unstained and solid or engineered. Solid flooring is popular because it can be refinished, while engineered hardwood flooring is better able to withstand humidity and moisture. Typically, cherry hardwood flooring comes in planks of three and seven inches in width.
- The hardwood can be installed using nails or glue or as a floating floor system. Usually, strip or plank flooring is secured to a sub-floor and should be installed perpendicular to the floor joists. The floating floor system is recommended when installing over slabs or concrete sub-floors. It is best to store the wood flooring in the room in which it will be installed two to three days prior so that it can adjust to the humidity there.
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You can protect your floors from scuffs and scratches by placing rugs at entrances and in heavily traveled areas, such as hallways, as well as by attaching floor guards on the underside of the legs of all furniture.
Vacuum the floors with an attachment or sweep them with a soft-bristle broom. Detergent or soaps should never be used, and avoid putting potted plants on them. Brazilian cherry hardwood floors can be renewed by buffing and applying a fresh coat of finish, and if they are particularly worn they can be restored by a professional-quality sanding and refinishing. - Like most hardwood floors, Brazilian cherry varieties retain their beauty and strength over many years. They are up to 200 percent thicker than other woods and therefore can withstand more sanding and are more energy-efficient.
