Exotic hardwoods are durable, versatile and provide a unique look to any construction project. Many of the most common species grow in Africa, Asia and South America and are becoming more popular for use in furniture, flooring, musical instruments, boats and more. Consumers can choose from a wide range of options to suit any application. As one of the hardest woods in the world, Brazilian Cherry is a popular choice for indoor flooring. This wood is resistant to dents and stands up well to heavy foot traffic. Its characteristics make it suitable for use in interior beams, rafters and door frames. Colors range from light brown to reddish brown with intense shadowing. Ebony grows in Africa near the equator and, as the name suggests, is dark black in color. It has extremely fine pores and no visible grain. This is one of the most expensive woods available because it is in high demand and the trees are typically small. It is popular for making guitar fingerboards, inlays and knife handles. Ebony is resistant to insects but its high oil content can make gluing difficult. Iroko, also known as African teak, features golden brown heartwood. Its similarity to teak in grain texture and density makes it an affordable alternative in many applications. It is resistant to decay but can be susceptible to infestation by dry wood insects. Iroko is popular with boat builders but is also suitable for use in flooring, cabinetwork and furniture. In addition to being durable, exotic hardwoods retain their appearance for decades with only minimal maintenance. They typically cost more than hickory, pine or oak but many consumers consider the benefits to be worth the financial investment. When used in flooring applications these materials act as natural insulators and can increase property value. Regardless of need, consumers can find a species of wood to suit any project and fit any size budget. Cook Woods is about exotic hardwoods offers pre-shaped instrument sets and pieces for luthiers so that you can build your very own guitar or other wooden instrument. (www.cookwoods.com)
Related Articles -
exotic, hardwoods,
|