Understanding Brazilian Cherry: The Exquisite but Demanding Hardwood
Brazilian cherry, more formally known as Jatoba, is a popular exotic hardwood celebrated for its beauty and strength. Sourced primarily from Central and South American rainforests, this wood is a striking alternative to domestic hardwoods like oak and maple. Its allure lies in its deep, lustrous reddish-brown tones, which intensify over time with exposure to light. However, its unique properties, both favorable and challenging, require careful consideration before installation.
The Pros of Choosing Brazilian Cherry
Brazilian cherry offers a number of compelling advantages that make it a standout choice for high-end flooring and other applications:
- Exceptional Durability: Brazilian cherry is one of the hardest woods available for residential use, ranking impressively on the Janka hardness scale. Its remarkable density provides superior resistance to dents, scratches, and everyday wear and tear, making it perfect for high-traffic areas.
- Warm, Exotic Aesthetic: The wood's vibrant, reddish-brown color and intricate grain patterns create a sense of drama and sophistication. Its rich color deepens with age, creating a unique patina that many homeowners find appealing.
- High Resale Value: Due to its timeless elegance, durability, and exotic nature, Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring can significantly increase a home's aesthetic appeal and resale value. It's viewed as a premium feature by many potential buyers.
- Multiple Refinishing Opportunities: Unlike softer woods, Brazilian cherry's density allows it to be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifetime. Some sources suggest it can be refinished up to a dozen times, far more than many other hardwood species. This prolongs the life of the floor and allows homeowners to refresh its look over the years.
The Cons and Considerations
Despite its advantages, Brazilian cherry is not without its drawbacks, and these should be weighed carefully:
- Significant Color Change: The wood's photosensitivity is a major consideration. It darkens significantly over time, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. This can lead to noticeable color variations if area rugs or furniture are left in one place for too long. To ensure even aging, homeowners must periodically move these items to allow the exposed wood to catch up.
- Higher Cost: As an imported exotic hardwood, Brazilian cherry is typically more expensive than domestic options like oak or maple. The higher cost is due to sourcing, shipping, and its premium quality. Budget-conscious buyers may need to consider alternatives like Brazilian walnut, which offers a similar aesthetic at a lower price point.
- Potential for Water Damage: Like most hardwoods, Brazilian cherry can absorb water, making it unsuitable for wet environments like bathrooms or laundry rooms. While it's resistant to moisture, spills should be cleaned up quickly, and a dehumidifier may be needed in particularly humid climates.
- High-Maintenance for Dust: The wood's dark color, while beautiful, tends to show dust and dirt more prominently than lighter-colored floors. This means more frequent sweeping or vacuuming is needed to maintain its pristine appearance.
Brazilian Cherry vs. American Oak: A Comparison
| Feature | Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) | American Oak (Red/White) |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness Rating | 2,350+ (Extremely Hard) | 1,290–1,360 (Moderate Hardness) |
| Durability | Exceptionally resistant to scratches and dents, ideal for heavy traffic. | Holds up well, but more prone to showing dents and wear in high-traffic areas. |
| Appearance | Rich, reddish-brown tones that deepen with age. Interlocked grain pattern creates a unique, wavy look. | Lighter, more neutral tones (warm brown for Red Oak, beige for White Oak). Bolder, more open grain. |
| Color Stability | Highly photosensitive; darkens considerably over time with light exposure. | More stable color, though some subtle changes can occur over time. |
| Workability | Very dense and hard, making it difficult to saw and plane without specialized equipment. | Softer and easier to work with using standard tools. |
| Cost | Typically more expensive due to its exotic nature and import costs. | Generally more affordable and readily available as a domestic wood. |
Applications Beyond Flooring
While Brazilian cherry is most famous for its use in hardwood flooring, its beauty and strength make it suitable for several other applications:
- Decking: Its natural resistance to rot and decay makes it a good option for outdoor decking, provided it is properly sealed and maintained.
- Cabinetry and Fine Furniture: The wood's rich color and elegant grain are highly prized for creating high-end furniture, countertops, and custom cabinetry.
- Stair Treads and Trim: It is frequently used for stair treads, trim, and other millwork to match or accent Brazilian cherry flooring.
Conclusion: Is Brazilian Cherry a Good Investment?
So, is Brazilian cherry a good choice? Ultimately, it's a trade-off. For homeowners prioritizing unmatched durability, timeless elegance, and a dramatic, rich aesthetic that matures with age, Brazilian cherry is an excellent, long-term investment. It's a premium product with a price tag to match, and it requires a certain acceptance of its natural darkening process. However, if budget is a primary concern, or if a more uniform, stable color is desired without the extra maintenance of a darker floor, a domestic option like American oak might be a better fit. By understanding its pros, cons, and unique characteristics, you can make an informed decision on whether this captivating exotic hardwood is the right fit for your home.
A Final Tip
If you are considering Brazilian cherry for flooring, it's wise to ask your retailer for a sample that shows both aged and un-aged coloration. This will help prevent any surprises after installation and allow you to appreciate the wood's full color journey. For responsible sourcing, look for products certified by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to ensure the wood was harvested sustainably.
