As exotic hardwood flooring continues to gain in 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 caused much confusion in 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 hue, particularly the sapwood. Amendoim hardwood floors have more swirls and rings than are seen with Brazilian cherry, but like its sister species, its soft brush strokes appear as if painted in watercolor. It will darken in the sunlight, also 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 – 1912 hardness scale, which ranks above maple and red oak, and is equivalent to Santos mahogany. The Brazil nut 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 tend to be the top sellers of all hardwood flooring products.

Price wise, Amendoim is somewhat similar to Brazilian Cherry, perhaps a little 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 the 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 shipped to your home so you can view the product and cut of the wood. This is particularly important with Amendoim because you might 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.

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