As exotic hardwood flooring continues to gain popularity, Amendoim is emerging as a popular choice for hardwood flooring. But what exactly is it and where does it come from?
Amendoim is commonly known as Brazilian oak, although another species, Tauari, is also called Brazilian oak, which has led to a great deal of confusion within the flooring industry. It is grown in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, and is also used to make fine furniture because it sands and shapes very well compared to other hardwoods.
Like the Brazilian cherry, Amendoim has a reddish hue, but has a more golden undertone, particularly the sapwood. Amendoim’s hardwood floors have more swirls and rings than seen with Brazilian cherry, but like its sister species, its soft brushstrokes look as if they were painted in watercolor. It will darken in sunlight, just like Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, but it’s a much more subtle difference.
Also like Brazilian cherry and other exotics, Amendoim is very, very strong, showing top marks on the Janka hardness scale – 1912, which ranks above maple and red oak, and is equivalent to Santos mahogany. The Brazilian walnut is considered the strongest at 3680.
Amedoim is available in solid and engineered hardwoods, with some engineered collections offering very affordable options. Engineered products range from $2.89 per square foot to $6.69 depending on finish, weathering techniques, board width, and thickness.
You can find solid Amendoim flooring ranging from $4.09 per square foot for smaller spaces to $7.70 for 5 ½-inch-wide planks, which are typically the best sellers across all hardwood flooring products.
Price wise, Amendoim is somewhat similar to Brazilian Cherry, perhaps a bit more expensive, but a lot of that depends on what you’re looking to do. Hand-scraped floors will cost more than smoother finishes, regardless of species. Brazilian Cherry seems to have more engineered options on the market with cheaper prices, but if you’re set on something solid, Amendoim is cheaper.
If you’re still exploring your options for a floor, have a free hardwood floor sample sent to your home so you can see the product and the cut of the wood. This is particularly important with Amendoim because you could get tan sapwood or reddish heartwood. Some cuts have a lot of swirls and some don’t. You just want to be sure you get what you pay for.
A reputable exotic flooring retailer can guide you through the selection process and help you determine if Amendoim is right for your home.