When you choose wood for your hardwood floors, you want to start with making some broad decisions, and then you can narrow your choice down from there. The two most extensive categories are between exotic and domestic wood species. There are benefits to both and a few disadvantages.
Exotic vs. Domestic
When we talk about domestic wood, we are talking about wood that is native to North America. Anything that comes from outside of North America is considered an exotic wood. Although exotic may feel more luxurious and exclusive, the species native to North America can be just as beautiful, creating bold and dramatic hardwood floors.
Exotic Brazilian Cherry floors by T&G Flooring for the Banana Republic
Since exotic woods are imported, they typically cost more than domestic wood species.
Advantages of exotic woods
The most significant advantage of exotic wood is that you can get a hardwood floor that comes with different colors and grain patterns than our domestic species. If you are drawn to floors that are different from everyone else, looking at exotic species may give you the particular aesthetic you are looking to find.
Limitations of exotic woods
Exotic woods may be a bit limited when it comes to choosing width, length, and size. Since they are milled outside of the US, you won’t have the same chance to customize your exotic wood as you would with domestic species. Exotic woods may also need more time to acclimate to your environment, as they are not used to the Colorado climate.
Advantages of domestic woods
You can’t go wrong with domestic Oak wood floors.
The classic domestic wood species can give you just as much beauty and variety as exotic species, despite feeling more traditional. Because the wood is coming from local sources, you will have much more variety in terms of length, width, and finishes. Domestic woods are also the greener choice, as they have to travel shorter distances to get to your home, minimizing the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and transportation. The more local the wood species, the greener the choice.
Domestic wood species will also have an easier time acclimating to your environment because they grew in the area.
Visit our showroom to check out domestic and exotic wood species for your next hardwood flooring project.