Hi Tim, Thanks for the reply and the great insight! Just to clarify, I've already got the product sourced, no issue there. My only concern is whether there will be issues installing a decking/siding product like this, as a hardwood floor. In South Florida, due to the humidity, I don't want to take chances and install something like this without thinking of potential pitfalls. Both Garapa and Cumaru are technically "hard" enough, so that wouldn't be an issue, I'm thinking more about warpage, the expansion coefficient, etc. Can you think of any issues that might arise as a result of using a installing solid T&G Garapa or Cumaru which is intended to be siding/decking, as an interior floor? .. Finish -- Thank you for your suggestion on "Bona Naturale", I've used it once in the past and I agree it would probably be a good fit for this application where the natural, matte finish is desired. .. Although I have the wood sourced already -- If you would still like to take a look at the commercial install I mentioned, you can see it just down the street from your shop. It's located in Cityplace. I'm including a street-view image of the store here (I've left the store name out because they've told me it's a proprietary floor they don't want to disclose): https://goo.gl/maps/FR7X5 Once you see it in-person, you'd probably agree this is a T&G siding profile (a Beveled Tongue-&-Groove with 1/8" reveal). And with the reveal, I definitely don't think it's a mass-produced flooring. If you're not familiar with this siding profile, I've drawn a profile for you: This is a fairly common siding profile with tropical hardwoods. AdvantageLumber that you mentioned (I've also purchased from them) offers a similar profile. I'm attaching a close-up of the floor that better illustrates the tongue-and-groove: Thank you for your insight! RKM

Those old floors look like something is going on. Are they ready for a refinish? Do they have enough meat on them (3mm above the tongue) to be refinished? If they can be refinished then they should be done once you choose your kitchen flooring. It would be cool to keep going with the same time of floor, but it might not be worth it. If this wood is old (not enough meat left do refinish) then it is time to switch it all out. That means you can do what you want. If you put down a different floor down, you would want to change direction...and if you can do it a herring bone or diagonal install would help a whole lot more. A decorative transition between the two woods will also help things work together. I would do the following: 1. Find out how much life is left in the original floors. If they are too old to be refinished then replace them AT THE SAME TIME as when you install the kitchen. 2. If they have a little bit more life in them, then choose a new wood floor that is NOT factory finished - solid hardwood. Work with site-finished so that you can add MORE to this floor when the OLD one dies...At some point you will want to try to get all the floors as one wood floor. Remember: man made or factory finished hardwoods have a shelf life of (roughly) 18 months. After that, you will never find them ever again. If you put in an engineered hardwood (factory finished) expecting to add to it in 4-5 years, you are in for a BIG shock. You will be stuck with ANOTHER flooring decision that is LESS then optimal.

Yeh, didn't register with me that the paneling is 3/4" on the first go. For paneling, yes it is good quality. I was thinking in terms of repurposing the wood. It's full of knots--rustic stuff. The cherry trees or parts of cherry trees that couldn't be used for flooring, cabinet lumber, veneers, etc. That's what I meant by low quality. I always have an eye to reusing hardwoods. For instance, I bought a bunch of solid hard maple shop built shelving from a church for $65. Nice long lengths of 1 x 12's. Clear wood, no knots, prime lumber. Very few fasteners so very few holes to fill. Most of the nail & screw holes were worked around and not a factor at all. That shelving got re-sawn and made into built in cabinetry in my basement. Anyway, that should explain what my perspective was when I made a judgement about the panelling. No offense intended.

Living with my Karndean Warm Ash 9" planks for 2 months. Its very pretty, love 9" and the color. I was going for exactly whT the OP was goung for and the look is right. But. Has no bevel. Not Into cleaning, the idea of any bevel sounded gross with my not so often cleaning. Wish I had done a micro bevel if it was avail. Didnt even consider and wish I had. Prof install, Karndean is not maybe the best but decent brand......the ends of the planks stick up just a tiny bit. Most noticeable when walking down the hallway as the planks are laid Ling. Really distracting. And of course I can't imagine it not chipping. Really sad, super expensive small new build. Other thoughts, I hate the grain in lvp. although I went with a very minimal grain, again the idea if dirt building up in the grin was gross. But even with minimal grain you notice if you Re sweeping with or against the grain. You have to sweep with the grain. I have soft spots that you can feel give. Drives me nuts. No noise, just give. Btw that and the flex in in the trex I feel like I'm living in a fun house mystery spot. Wish I had gone glue down but assumed it was some cheap way to go. It can be fixed, click cannot. No give.