When choosing a species of wood for your flooring, it’s easy to go straight to the more common options of Oak, Pine and Birch; however, there is a whole category of wood that is less explored but just as strong a choice for flooring and it’s known as exotic wood.

Experts believe that this type of wood is expected to grow in popularity throughout 2021, so if you’ve got some renovations plans for the new year, then you might benefit from learning a little more about your options when it comes to exotic wood...

What is exotic wood flooring?

Wood flooring is defined as exotic when the hardwood is sourced from regions outside of the UK, or outside of Europe even, and cannot typically grow here because it requires a tropical climate. This includes woods from places such as South America, Africa and Asia.

There are some characteristics that are found in exotic wood that can make it easy to identify, for example, the grain can be wide and pronounced and these woods tend to be more vibrant in colour and come in more unusual shades, such as red and purple.

There are two main reasons why exotic woods tend to be less common for flooring in the UK.

First, the ecological downsides to exotic wood flooring can put many people off. However, there are now many ways to shop for exotic woods in an eco-friendly way by using the FSC accreditation, something we explored in more depth in our previous blog: All About Eco-Friendly Wood Flooring.

Then, there is the cost. As you would expect, exotic woods tend to be far more expensive than more common, domestic woods.

However, if you are willing to spend the extra money, the end result will be worth it.

What are the benefits of using exotic wood for your flooring?

Though it may be costly and require a lot of research before making a purchase, exotic woods can make for brilliant flooring in the home and commercial spaces.

Some of the advantages of using exotic woods for you floors are:

• They’re all extremely tough and durable
• They require little maintenance and are easy to clean
• They have a natural beauty that is unlike any wood you will find in Europe
• They often come in a range of unique and vibrant colours
• There are possibly even more options of exotic wood flooring than there are domestic
• It’s a good investment as it can help sell your home and increase the value of your property

Opting for exotic wood for the flooring in your home will elevate its appearance far beyond anything you can achieve with domestic wood flooring, especially if you want a look of luxury and something more unique.

It’s for this reason that many more people are turning towards this type of wood flooring.

What are some types of exotic wood that can be used for flooring?

There are well over a dozen different species of wood that fall under the ‘exotic’ category that make for great flooring; however, we have selected six that are arguably the most popular and suitable for UK homes.

ACACIA WOOD FLOORING

This wood type is extremely durable, even more than oak and maple, and would work well in high traffic areas of the home, such as the dining room and living space.
Not to mention, acacia wood has a distinctive beauty with unique grain patterns and a colour range that includes golden tans and deep, dark browns.

It’s also one of the more affordable exotic woods so if you can’t stretch for any of the others then this is a great ‘entry-way’ into exotic woods.

BAMBOO WOOD FLOORING

Bamboo flooring is fast-growing in popularity thanks to its sustainability.

Rather than coming from the wood of a tree, bamboo is, in fact, a type of grass that grows faster than any type of hardwood and doesn’t have to be replanted when harvested which makes it eco-friendly.

It makes for great flooring thanks to its versatility, durability and the need for little maintenance. Plus, it looks stunning with every type of home interior and aesthetic.

JATOBA WOOD FLOORING

Jatoba, also known as Brazilian Cherry, can be found in Brazil, Peru and Mexico.
It’s a very tough type of wood that can be sanded down and refinished many times during its lifespan.

It was hugely popular several years ago due to its luxurious appearance, and might be coming back around so you may want to get ahead of the curve with this 2021 trend.

TIGERWOOD WOOD FLOORING

This wood certainly lives up to its name with its wildly contrasting wide grains which are slightly reminiscent to the stripes of a tiger.
It has good resistance to moisture and makes a statement in any room.

TEAK WOOD FLOORING

Teak can be further broken down into categories depending on which region it has been sourced from such as Burmese Teak Wood, African Teak Wood and Indonesian Teak Wood.

The consistent characteristics of teak is that it has an elegant colour and natural lustre to it, as well as high water-resistance which can make it a good option for bathroom flooring.

IPE WOOD FLOORING

One of the strongest woods that there is, Ipe is often used for outdoor decking but can be great inside the home too.

It tends to come in dark browns and deep reds and emits an elegance and sophistication that lends itself well to all styles and colour schemes creating a warm and cosy home environment.