That is the most illegally harvested wood species. Make sure it is coming from a Certified Forest!!!!

Other then that, I really don't have a must have pick for you.

Not sure about the teak but, I just had the brazilian cherry by BR-111 installed and I can honestly say that they provided me, (through Lowes) with some of the best prefinished solid wood that I have ever laid eyes on.

MC

Ours is Wood Flooring International prefinished. Extremely happy with it.

Wood Floor International(WFI), went Bankrupt and closed their doors, at the end of last year. A big distributor went down, taking them with them. All the eggs in one basket, syndrome.

Floorguy - are you sure that Brazilian Teak/Cumaru is the most illegally harvested wood species in the world ? I would have though that Burmese teak would be on that list. Though I'm not so sure if that has more to do with CITES and Myannmar-US relations or a true logging issue. Burmese Teak is one of woods that is most sought after whereas most people don't even know about Cumaru/Brazilian Teak.

In regards to WFI - a lot of companies were adversely affected with the closing of Hoboken Floors. When Hoboken went down - a lot of companies and people got hurt. You wonder how it happened as they sold so much product in so much volume. Goes to show you what happens when you don't sell enough to cover your costs or make a profit. The downside is that Hoboken probably singlehandedly kept wood floor pricing very competitive. I think you are going to see wood floor pricing steadily rise - at least any of those that were widely distributed. I believe you are already seeing that with several brands what have raised their prices several times over the last year. Part of that is tied to Hoboken, part of that is tied to the weakening US dollar, and part of that is tied to the demand that is coming out of Asia (particularly China).

We had Bellawood Brazilian Teak installed about a year and a half ago. We got it at Lumber Liquidators. It still looks great - even with two dogs running all over it. There aren't any toenail scratches. I did notice that the part of the floor that isn't covered by an area rug has darkened, but it looks rich.

Thank you all for your input. It's interesting about WFI, I actually wanted to buy that brand because I read about it here on this forum, but none of our local dealers had it, I never knew why, well now I do! I can only get the Ochoco and BR111 brands. BR111 I hear is good, and I'm still gathering feedback on Ochoco...

Did any of you with Brazilian Teak flooring install the unfinished version? (My contractor insists on unfinsihed, but I am afraid that will change the look in the end).

Thanks again everyone,
Sylvia

The truth of the matter is ony 40 % of the pre-finished exotic species coming in from S. American are prefinished in this 3rd world country (Brazil) @ ... 60 % comes in he the USA with all 4 sides micro-beveled (MB4) and finished state side then put on the different branded boxes. The USA prefinishers, have proven over the years to be better, and produce a higher quality finish. Most of what you get is 7 coats aluminum oxide w/ a 25 year warranty & a 35 % sheen the Key is getting a clear grade of lumber to start.
Buying on line can be tricky as most on line vendors offer low price and sell china style with the random lengths being 1 - 4 BE care as they only say RL. True brazilian style production is RL 1- 7 foot just like USA oak. if a floor is priced $ 1.00 - 2.00 below market there is a reason. # 1 reason is it is short RL 1 - 4 (china production) # 2 is the grade of lumber is not Clear.
And remember clear grade is 1st grade / select & better is 2nd grade and select grade is 3rd

Johnson's Flooring carry them, go internet and search for it, you will see photos of Brazilian Teak.

floorguy I think you are confusing Brazilian Teak (Cumaru/Tonka) with Tectona grandis (Burmese Teak) that used to be the most illegaly logges specie but now, at least in the US is mostly from plantation stock.

As to WFI, they liquidated and have reorganized as a different supplier I believe it is Brandywine.

Ochoco is a pretty good brand its made in Brazil and finished, mostly, in the US. There are a number of others that also prefinish in the US, and yes the finish quality is better.

OT: I got worried about the future of Hoboken Floors after they expanded all the way up and down the East coast. Expansion adds to costs and overhead and eventually the suppliers have to be paid, not to leave out the banks.

Sudden expansion has hurt many a stable business looking to go to the next level in industry presence.

As for these exotics? Even FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified products can have some illegally harvested Brazilian rainforest lumber in the production stream.

Illegal logging of exotic hardwood is certainly not the only thing destroying these fragile ecosystems, but it contributes to the destruction.

This Wikipedia article is a good place to start for a broad look at the region and its problems vis a vis its rainforest, its government and its populace.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wikipedia/Amazon Rainforest

FSC certified NON FIN Brazilian Teak (Cumaru )is in stock in Portland Or along with FSC certified Unfinished Brazilian Cherrry ( Jatoba ) and FSC certified Unfinished Brazilian Walnut (IPE) only PRE FIN FSC is 3/4 x 3 1/2 " x RL 1 - 7 foot Eucalyptus Grand.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) - is a non-profit organization that accredits independent 3rd party certifiers whose programs conform to the FSC's internationally recognized Principles and Criteria of sustainable forestry management

Go to the Forest Stewardship Council website and look at the list of members...a very big list...and look through the council's submissions.

For a different view of the council, access the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: FSC watch

I am considering Mullican cumaru flooring but have one concern: shrinking/expanding. www.mullicanflooring.com says that cumaru has "below average" dimensional stability with a note that states that it can shrink in dry climates. Has anyone experienced this problem or have any advice on this.

Is anyone familiar with the Brazilian Teak in the Scandian brand? I would really like Brazilian Teak and would also like to know which is a good brand to choose. My local flooring store also carries one by Clear Lake Living (World Passages).