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 caused a great deal of confusion among the flooring industry. It is grown in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, and is also used to make fine furniture because it sanders 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 those seen with Brazilian cherry, but like its sister species, its soft brush strokes look like they were painted in watercolor. It will darken in sunlight, also like Brazilian cherry wood floors, but it is a much more subtle difference.

Also like Brazilian cherry and other exotic species, Amendoim is very, very strong, showing top marks on the Janka – 1912 hardness scale, which is above maple and red oak, and equivalent to Santos mahogany. The Brazilian walnut is considered the strongest with 3680.

Amedoim is available in solid and engineered hardwoods, with some engineered collections offering very economical options. Engineered products range from $ 2.89 per square foot to $ 6.69 depending on finish, wear techniques, width and thickness of the board.

You can find Amendoim solid flooring ranging from $ 4.09 per square foot for smaller spaces to $ 7.70 for 5½-inch wide planks, which are typically the best-sellers of all hardwood flooring products.

Price wise, Amendoim is somewhat similar to the Brazilian cherry, perhaps a little more expensive, but a lot of that depends on what you are looking to make. Hand-scraped floors will cost more than softer finishes, regardless of the species. Brazilian Cherry seems to have more engineering options on the market with cheaper prices, but if you’re determined to be solid, Amendoim is cheaper.

If you are still exploring your options for a flooring, send a free hardwood floor sample to your home so you can view the product and cut the wood. This is particularly important with Amendoim because you could get the sapwood tanned or the heartwood reddish. Some cuts have a lot of swirls and some do not. You just want to be sure that you are getting 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.