Getting to Know Mahogany Hardwood Flooring

This 2023, hardwood floors are the top trending home improvement projects for many U.S. households. More people are installing hardwood flooring in their houses due to their durability, timeless elegance, and versatility. With several families investing in these classic wooden floorings, more hardwoods are becoming available. While domestic hardwood trees like oak and maple are favorites, exotic floorings like mahogany is making waves. Get to know more about mahogany hardwood floors with this quick guide.

What is Mahogany Hardwood Flooring?

Mahogany hardwood is an exotic wood known for its durability, workability, and elegant appearance. There are many tree species referred to commercially as mahogany. Most of these hardwoods are alternative species gaining popularity in the past decades. Despite that, Genuine Mahogany remains the best-selling option of all mahogany lumbers.

The flooring industry considers Genuine Mahogany or Swietenia macrophylla the ideal imported hardwood for its stability and favorable finishing properties. It also goes by many names, like Honduran Mahogany, Peruvian Mahogany, Big Leaf Mahogany, and Bolivian Mahogany.

Mahogany wood is well-liked for its strong graining and reddish-brown color. Their hues have rich and consistent brown tones, giving the floor a deep natural shade. They have a rating between 800 to 1070 on the Janka hardness scale, making them durable and long-lasting hardwood flooring.

Due to their rich color and striped pattern, mahogany hardwood floors work well in rustic and traditional-styled homes. In addition, many interior designers find the wood perfect for accentuating home decor in modern-styled houses.

African Mahogany

Out of all commercial mahogany hardwoods, wood species experts only consider a handful of them as Genuine Mahogany variants. African Mahogany or Khaya ivorensis is one of them. This wood comes from countries in West Africa, such as Ghana and Cameroon. Unlike other Mahogany variants, they have a consistent grade, color, texture, and lustrous grain appearance.

African Mahogany has coarse and interlocking grains making each plank feel dense and heavy. They have a deep reddish-brown hue and shimmering figure, making them ideal for furniture, cabinetry, and floorings. 

Pros of Having Mahogany Hardwood Flooring

All hardwood floors offer the usual perks to homeowners, but exotic hardwood floorings have unique features that people can enjoy. Here are some of the pros of having mahogany hardwood flooring.

Durability and Longevity

Mahogany hardwood floors are very durable and resistant. A study from Forest Research in 1985 proved that this hardwood performs well even in ground contact. Due to its toughness, mahogany is ideal for decks and can last over two decades with little to no maintenance. With proper care, mahogany wooden floors can serve homes for at least 40 years. In addition, they're resistant to bad weather and damp soil, making it difficult for rotting to happen.

Classic and Rustic Appearance

Mahogany hardwoods have reddish-brown tones that come in different variants. The deep, rich colors make them attractive and rustic-looking. In addition, their grains and patterns are unique and lustrous, giving homes a luxurious yet warm feel.

Water and Rot Resistance

One of hardwood flooring’s weaknesses is water. Too much exposure to high moisture areas can damage the planks and make them irreparable. But with mahogany hardwood floors, that problem won’t cause severe repairs or replacements over time.

Mahogany wood has high water resistance. They can withstand terrible weather conditions, but they’re not water-proof. It means they can handle water exposure but are still prone to damage. The difference between mahogany from other woods is the severity of water damage they take.

Besides water, Genuine Mahogany has high resistance to rotting. Most hardwoods are resistant to decay because of their dense grains. The advantage of this hardwood specie is that its grains are uniform and compact throughout.

In addition, their ability to handle weather changes makes them less prone to gapping or shrinking. Mahogany hardwood planks can control the moisture in them and wouldn’t shrink or warp despite the season changes.

Workability

Unlike most exotic hardwood flooring, mahogany hardwood floors are easy to work with and install. Homeowners and remodelers don’t need specialized tools and materials to nail them on the ground. They’re also easier to carve on, helping elevate your floor’s design.

In addition, the grains on the mahogany planks are compact and dense. This makes it easier for the nail or screws to hold or keep them in place. Mahogany hardwood floorings can also keep polishes and stains well. Wood finishes help enhance and prolong the hardwood’s lifespan by preserving its appearance and safeguarding them from damage with a protective coat layer.

Availability

Most of the problems with exotic hardwood floorings are their availability. This isn’t an issue with mahogany hardwood floors. They’re accessible and easy to find. In addition, they also have many variant options for buyers to choose from.

Available Wood Floors in Austin

Exotic hardwood floors are increasing in popularity and demand this 2023. One of the popular choices today is mahogany hardwood flooring. While many households in the country use this hardwood for their homes, not many people know about them. This guide gives you insight into why mahogany is a rising U.S. home favorite and why you need to consider owning one.

Contact Kelly Hardwood Floors today for more details!