Where Does Jatoba Hardwood Flooring Come From?

Jatoba hardwood flooring has recently increased in popularity, and at a steady rate. When speaking in terms of luxury for high-quality flooring Jatoba flooring often comes up as a viable option. But what exactly is Jatoba hardwood, and what are the benefits of its use?

 

Origins of Jatoba Hardwood

Jatoba hardwood is actually more commonly referred to as Brazilian Cherry. The term “Brazilian Cherry” makes it sound quite exotic. It is often called this due to the richness of its burgundy color. However, this is somewhat of a misnomer because it’s not actually a cherry wood. Jatoba comes from a canopy tree belonging to the Leguminosae family. These trees can reach anywhere from 80 to 150 feet in height and as large as six feet in diameter. The sap produced by the tree is often used for medicinal purposes. Although this type of wood does come out of the rainforests of Brazil, it is also found in other areas such as Mexico and Peru. Jatoba goes by several other names as well, such as Courbaril and Locust but most hardwood flooring providers in North America tend to refer to Jatoba as Brazilian Cherry simply because it sounds more luxurious and exotic.

The Use of Jatoba

Jatoba, or Brazilian Cherry, has the look of mahogany, which can add to the appearance of class in a home. It is better used in areas such as living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens as opposed to smaller areas, where rich colors can be slightly overwhelming. Jatoba’s thick wood is incredibly stain resistant, durable and long lasting. In fact, it’s actually been proven to be impervious to insects and even termites. Its color makes it stand out compared to other types of hardwood flooring. Another advantage of using Jatoba is the fact that it's easy to install. Whether you're looking to use it as a floating door, nail or glue it down, Jatoba is a viable option for a high-quality flooring job. Jatoba hardwood flooring has become extremely popular in upper class residential homes, large corporate buildings and even retail stores, due to its beautiful look and its lasting durability. People looking to purchase Jatoba hardwood flooring should be sure to look for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. Jatoba is an endangered wood that tends to come out of areas in the Amazon that are heavily logged. FSC certification ensures the woods are harvested in the most sustainable way possible, giving you beautiful floors while maintaining the integrity of the environment it comes from.