International Wood International Wood 2004 | Page 13

With domestic woods, you change their
appearance by changing the stain. Tropical
woods have colors all their own, and people find
it exotic, foreign, different.
“The wood flooring business has seen a resurgence,
with substantial volumes of both in solid and engineered
products produced overseas,” says Tom Wilson of
International Specialties Inc. “Many of the tropical hard-
woods, because of their density and appearance, are very
well suited for flooring. Jatoba, also known as Brazilian
cherry, is the most popular species. Sapele is popular, and
the use of Rubberwood, primarily f rom Asia, is also grow-
ing. If you look at a flooring display at a retail store, you’ll
tend to see as many, if not more, imported species.”
“Demand for colorful wood floors has really taken off,
especially in the last five years,” says Tom Herga of Inter-
Continental Hardwoods Inc. “This business is a fashion
industry, and I believe people have just gotten sick and
tired of oak; it was everywhere.”
DECKING AND EXTERIOR ADVANTAGES
“We’re seeing a trend toward the use of some magnificent
imported species for decking,” says Chuck Dean of Dean
Hardwoods, “especially Cumaru, Purple-heart,
Massaranduba, Ipé and other species which are vastly
superior in durability and long life to chemically treated
Pine and manmade decking.”
“These woods really fill a void for consumers who
would rather not buy chemically treated woods,” adds
Wilson. “Because tropical hardwoods can last twice as long
as chemically treated domestic species – up to 30 years –
they’re a better choice for decking, especially where
installation is a larger part of the cost.”
“When I talk to customers who say they are concerned
about the price, I say, “Don’t you really mean you’re con-
cerned about value ? The actual lifecycle cost of an imported
wood that lasts twice as long is less than the cost of treat-
ed domestic lumber.”
“Teak is another great exterior wood, used often for trim
and garden furniture,” adds Thompson. “It’s also used heav-
ily in the marine industry.”