In the News
May 23, 2022
Land not logs: the logic of deforestation
The unfortunate truth of deforestation for the tropical timber industry—as for biodiversity, climate, hydrological systems and simple natural beauty—is that land once productive now becomes an unusable catastrophic loss.
Read MoreMay 21, 2022
Where are we? How the wood industry is absent from the international forestry dialogue.
The wood products industry must actively participate in the global forestry sector dialogue. Wood products are a key ingredient to generating economic returns that allow forests and forestry to compete with other land use options that typically have more adverse forest and climate change impacts.
Read MoreMarch 28, 2019
Asian White Oak Hardwood Flooring Spotlight
Asian White Oak (Quercus Mongolica) is just one of over 600 oak species in the Quercus genus. This particular oak species can be found growing throughout the easternmost parts of Asia in countries such as China, Russia, Mongolia, Korea and Japan. The color, appearance and properties of Asian White…
Read MoreMarch 15, 2019
Cumaru Brazilian Teak Hardwood Flooring Spotlight
Cumaru, also referred to as Brazilian Teak, is the lighter, color-sorted, pieces of regular Cumaru. Cumaru flooring is commonly sorted into Light and Dark shades. Brazilian Teak offers that warm, neutral, tannish-brown color so many customers ask for. Aesthetically speaking it is in a category by i…
Read MoreFebruary 14, 2019
Prefinished Wood Floor Warranties – What’s Covered & What’s Not
Prefinished wood floors are a substantial investment and their warranties can offer value and protection from catastrophic events when properly adhered to. Be sure to thoroughly read the manufacturer’s warranty, as well as maintenance requirements, when considering a wood floor purchase.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2019
Elemental Exotic Hardwood Flooring – Wood Flooring 101
Elemental’s solid hardwood flooring program specializes in imported exotic woods. Wood flooring in its simplest format breaks down into UF (unfinished – sand and finish application) and PF (prefinished – no sanding and finishing required).
Read MoreJanuary 28, 2019
Timborana (Brazilian Oak) Hardwood Flooring Spotlight
Timborana, also known as Brazilian Oak, is an elegant light colored exotic hardwood species, which can be found throughout Central America & Brazil. The wood ranges in color from a light tannish-yellow to a slightly darker golden reddish-brown. As the wood ages it will slowly develop moderate red t…
Read MoreJanuary 24, 2019
Merbau Hardwood Flooring Spotlight
Merbau is a beautiful exotic hardwood that grows in the forests of Southeast Asia as well as throughout the South Pacific region. When freshly cut the color of the wood is yellow to orangish-brown, but upon exposure will darken to a rich dark brown to reddish-brown color much like Brazilian Cherry.
Read MoreJanuary 23, 2019
Wood Floor Hardness Ratings – How Important Is The Janka Test?
Is the hardness of your wood floor important? The answer to that question is… it depends. In North America the hardness of a wood floor is determined by the results of a Janka test. The results, which are measured in pounds-force, are determined by embedding a .444 in. steel ball into the wood to h…
Read MoreJanuary 18, 2019
Ipe Hardwood Flooring Spotlight
Today’s blog is a product spotlight for one of the most durable hardwoods in the world – Ipe. Ipe is one of the most popular, and familiar, exotic hardwood species that comes out of South America; it is also one of the most diverse.
Read MoreJanuary 17, 2019
Acclimation is Critical for Solid Wood Flooring Installation
Proper acclimation is a critical component in every solid wood flooring install. It is effectively the final stage of the “drying” process that allows a given wood flooring product to equalize and stabilize its internal moisture content to the specific living environment in which it will be install…
Read MoreJanuary 10, 2019
Tigerwood Hardwood Flooring Spotlight
Tigerwood trees can be found from Mexico all the way down through Central and South America. The color of the heartwood is a stunning golden brownish-orange to reddish-brown with subtle to very defined black striping throughout. As the wood ages it will darken to a deep reddish-brown color accentua…
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2019
Care & Maintenance – Prefinished Hardwood Flooring
After successful hardwood flooring installation the next critical step to ensuring adequate long term performance is proper care and maintenance. Hardwood floors are very utilitarian and probably take more daily abuse than any other part of a home’s interior. Because of this it is very important to…
Read MoreJanuary 7, 2019
Hardwood Flooring – Made in China Tariff Issues
Food for thought: Import tariffs 2018 – What are the problems the tariffs seek to resolve and are they actually effective in resolving those problems? Protection of intellectual property, import/export value imbalance between countries, unfair production advantages and replacement of US manufacture…
Read MoreJanuary 4, 2019
Cupping And Gapping: Moisture And Its Effects on Solid Wood Flooring
Wood flooring is a gorgeous natural and uniquely beautiful addition to any home. Understanding the relationship between wood and water, and following industry standard installation and maintenance guidelines helps to reduce problems and ensure a lifelong happy relationship between a homeowner and t…
Read MoreJanuary 3, 2019
Product Spotlight: Guajuvira Hardwood – Brazilian Hickory
Guajuvira hardwood flooring, also known as Brazilian Hickory, Brazilian Pecan, and Macchiato Pecan, is a stunning variegated species that is a yellowish-creamy white with various shades of brown intermixed with olive undertones and occasional black striping.
Read MoreJuly 31, 2018
Elemental Featured Product: Amendoim
Amendoim hardwood flooring is one of the most lustrous and sought-after exotics in the country, It’s a beautiful light colored exotic species with color ranging from tannish orange-brown to darker mahogany-like shades such as reddish-brown. Many boards will have an iridescent grain, giving the wood…
Read MoreJuly 12, 2018
How to Handle Color Variation Complaints
Most hardwood flooring customers aren’t experts about the material. Even if they know the basics about good floor installation and maintenance, chances are they will still be surprised about other features of the product. Here’s how to handle these complaints.
Read MoreJuly 2, 2018
Elemental Featured Product: Asian Birch
Asian Birch hardwood flooring is a versatile variation of the birch species that is commonly found throughout Chinese and other neighboring countries. The sapwood of Asian Birch is a subtle creamy white with shades of yellow and gold. The heartwood is a darker tan to reddish-brown color. The grain…
Read MoreJune 19, 2018
Elemental Featured Product: Santos Mahogany
Santos Mahogany is a beautiful exotic hardwood flooring material that grows from southern Mexico down through Central and South America. It gained popularity in the early 1990s as a harder, stronger alternative to Genuine Mahogany, which at the time was becoming more difficult to acquire and was st…
Read MoreMay 29, 2018
Elemental Featured Products: Acacia
Acacia is a genus, or family of trees, encompassing approximately 1,300 different species. Due to its unparalleled rustic beauty and increased durability, Elemental only imports 100% small leaf Acacia.
Read MoreMay 25, 2018
Unfinished VS Prefinished: Which Flooring Is Best for Your Customers?
If every job were the same, it would be easy to answer this question once and for all. Unfortunately, every installation has its individual quirks. For some, prefinished hardwood flooring will be the answer, while for others, unfinished exotic hardwood flooring will be best for the job.
Read MoreMay 21, 2018
Elemental Featured Product: Tiete Rosewood
Tiete Rosewood, also know as Sirari, is one of the most beautiful examples of exotic hardwood flooring materials Elemental offers. It varies in color from pale brown to a light yellow-red, with flecks of dark brown salmon-pink. Tiete Rosewood maintains its overall light appearance even after exposu…
Read MoreMay 18, 2018
Elemental and the Lacey Act: Quality Products Responsibly Harvested
We understand that exotic hardwood flooring isn’t merely the privilege of the current generation — it should be responsibly tended such that it can be a stylish and durable option for homeowners for many generations to come. Elemental Hardwoods is committed to making that vision a reality.
Read MoreMay 15, 2018
Elemental Featured Product: Brazilian Brownheart
Although not very well known in North America, Brazilian Brownheart is a very popular hardwood material in Brazil and commonly used for heavy construction and flooring. The wood is a beautiful dark chocolate brown and features light brown striping and subtle hints of red.
Read MoreMay 7, 2018
Elemental Featured Product: Brazilian Lacewood, Leopardwood
Brazilian Lacewood hardwood flooring is one of the most unique species Elemental offers. Also known as Leopardwood, it is characterized by vibrant golden colored quartersawn flecks and a rich medium-to-dark reddish-brown color.
Read MoreApril 30, 2018
Elemental Featured Product: Kempas
Kempas is a beautiful exotic hardwood flooring material that comes from the forests of Malaysia and Indonesia. The color of the wood is orange-red to reddish-brown with subtle shades of yellow and tan. It has a medium to coarse texture with an interwoven and sometimes wavy grain.
Read MoreApril 25, 2018
5 Health Benefits of Hardwood Flooring
You already know that hardwood flooring looks great, lasts for years, and adds long-term value to any home. But there’s an additional benefit to a quality installation of engineered or exotic hardwood flooring that you may not have considered: an improved health outlook
Read MoreApril 17, 2018
The Benefits of Elemental Patagonian Rosewood
Patagonian Rosewood, also know as Curupau or Curupay, is one of the most popular hardwood flooring materials in the exotic market today. At Elemental, we pride ourselves in our high-quality selection of best-of-the-best Patagonian Rosewood hardwood flooring.
Read MoreApril 2, 2018
Elemental Featured Mahogany: Royal Mahogany
If you’re looking for an exotic hardwood flooring solution that combines rich, classic color with the ease and durability of a prefinished flooring solution, Elemental Hardwoods’s Royal Mahogany hardwood flooring may be for you.
Read MoreMarch 16, 2018
Elemental Featured Product: Canarywood
Canarywood, also known as Tarara Amarilla, is a strikingly beautiful hardwood flooring material that comes from the forests of Brazil and Bolivia. Its initial color is bright yellow and orange with accent streaks of red, brown, purple, and black.
Read MoreMarch 12, 2018
Hardwood Flooring Molding Types: What’s Your Style?
If you’re a hardwood flooring professional, you already know how the right molding can enhance the beauty and style of a well-executed floor. However, if you’re a homeowner exploring your options or someone just getting your feet wet in the business, you may need a quick overview of molding types.
Read MoreFebruary 8, 2018
Elemental Top 5 Exotic Hardwoods
At Elemental, we’re proud of all of our hardwood flooring products. From the classic beauty of White Oak to the eye-catching striping of TigerWood, we stand behind each variety we carry. Here are five of the most beloved exotic hardwood flooring products.
Read MoreJanuary 27, 2018
Hardwood Floor Repairs: 5 Tips for Successful Site-Finish Repair
Repairing and refinishing hardwood flooring isn’t easy, but it certainly isn’t impossible. Time, patience, and the proper tools are all required for successful hardwood flooring repair. The following are five great tips for ensuring a successful, safe, and timely repair project.
Read MoreJanuary 10, 2018
Engineered Flooring – 5 Questions Your Customers Will Ask You
Interested in engineered flooring? Here are answers to the five most common questions every homeowner asks.
Read MoreOctober 25, 2017
5 Common Customer Complaints about Hardwood Flooring
Here are five of the most common customer complaints we see in the hardwood flooring industry, the best way to address them, and things the customer should have been told before purchasing the flooring.
Read MoreJuly 8, 2017
Wood Floor Repairs: A Step-by-Step Guide
By carefully following proper repair instructions, hardwood flooring repairs can be done successfully and with few problems. The following is a step-by-step guide for repairing site-finished hardwood flooring.
Read MoreNovember 2, 2016
The Ups and Downs of Importing Exotic Hardwood Flooring
The exotic hardwood flooring industry has had a rough year. An already volatile import, the past 12 – 16 months has seen extreme fluctuations in both availability and pricing for exotic hardwood.
Read MoreDecember 3, 2015
Elemental Flooring – Our New Flooring Brand Takes Shape
We have been working intensely for months on our new Elemental Flooring branding and making great progress!
Read MoreAugust 27, 2015
Wood Flooring – Elemental Expands Oak, Birch and Acacia Hardwood Floors
Wood flooring is our specialty and we are pleased to announce that after almost one year of testing, our StoneWood Collection is here to stay. Based on the very best value in the industry, our StoneWood line consists of Acacia, Birch, Kempas and White Oak. We offer these products in a solid 3/4″ th…
Read MoreMay 9, 2015
Patagonian Rosewood Flooring
Curupay, also known as Patagonian Rosewood Flooring, is one my favorite species. It has incredible strength properties, including a Janka Hardness rating of 3840 pounds. That’s almost 300% harder than Red Oak.
Read MoreFebruary 28, 2015
Lapacho Prefinished Flooring – A Great Value
One of the hardest woods available, Lapacho is a type of Ipe or Brazilian Walnut. Lapacho belongs to the genus Tabebuia and offers a fairly consistent brown color in appearance, as well as a more distinct grain pattern when compared to Brazilian Ipe.
Read MoreFebruary 23, 2015
Brazilian Cherry Flooring – FSC Certification
Brazilian Cherry flooring has long been the the wood most imported from Brazil into the United States. This is primarily because there are long-established supply chains in place, from mills/manufacturers to importers/wholesalers to distributors/retailers.
Read MoreFebruary 10, 2015
GSP Duty on Prefinished Flooring
After reading the GSP post, the primary concern that comes to mind is how well intended is the import duty? Is it intended as a deterrent to foster use of comparable domestic resources/product?
Read MoreFebruary 7, 2015
GSP, Import Duty, Economic Stimulus?
Elemental imports a variety of products from South America and Asia into the US. The main products are prefinished tropical hardwood flooring and unfinished tropical wood flooring. There is an import duty on all the prefinished flooring items of 3.2%, but not on any of the unfinished flooring.
Read MoreJanuary 14, 2015
Bloodwood Flooring
Bloodwood flooring is extremely beautiful but it is also a very rare species of wood. We keep small amounts in stock; however, we do not see a strong future for Bloodwood as a major commodity flooring product.
Read MoreJanuary 8, 2015
Unfinished TigerWood Flooring
We carry Tigerwood unfinished flooring in 3″, 4″ and 5″ widths – all in a 3/4″ thickness. The lengths range from 1′ to 7′ in each sub-bundle, with the average being around 3.2′ to 3.5′. We carry both unfinished and prefinished Tigerwood flooring in Clear grades.
Read MoreDecember 30, 2014
Para Rosewood is Awesome!
One of my favorite species is Para Rosewood, aka Monkeywood, and Macacauba. The botanical genus name is Platymiscium. It is a fairly rare species that comes from the lower Amazon region of Brazil.
Read More