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Para Rosewood (Curuatinga Rosewood)
Grades & Properties of Wood Flooring —
Exotic Species
Scientific Name:
Platymiscium spp.
Other Common Names and Related Species:
- Curuatinga Rosewood
- Macaca
- Macacauba
- Monkeywood
- Nambar
- Roble Colorado
- Tarara Colorado
- Vencola
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Origin:
Para Rosewood (or Curuatinga) is distributed throughout Bolivia, Panama, Paraguay, and Brazil.
Janka Hardness: 2100
Para Rosewood is similar in density to Santos Mahogany and Brushbox. This is a different species of wood from Bolivian Rosewood, or Morado (Machaerium scleroxylon).
Grades of Para Rosewood Flooring:
Select and Better grade Para Rosewood flooring is color-sorted for a rich orange and tan color with brown and black streaks. Select is usually the only grade available. It appears like a cross between Tigerwood and Canarywood. It is graded differently than most other species. Usually, color variation is sorted out, but the color variations are most desired.
Para Rosewood Flooring Dimension Specifications:
All Para Rosewood flooring is milled in South America because it is more cost-effective to ship finished material than raw lumber. Lengths of the Curuatinga Rosewood flooring bundles are 7 feet so they can easily fit into 8-foot-wide steel shipping containers. All pre-milled products are tongue-&-groove and end-matched (tongue-&-grooved on the ends of the boards). Moisture content ranges from 6% to 8% for quick acclimation. The average length of the flooring pieces is usually about 3 feet and ranges from 1 to 7 feet. Almost all imported flooring that is found is in 7-foot bundles, with widths available from 2¼″ to 5″. Typically, if a long or wide plank floor is desired, raw lumber must be obtained and the flooring must be milled here in the United States. Typically, the lengths can develop up to 12 feet. However, the cost can be double that of the pre-milled stock because of waste and labor costs in the United States. Also, raw lumber is relatively expensive because it is taxed more heavily than finished products to support local economies in South America. Para Rosewood lumber is relatively rare.
Flooring Availability:
Para Rosewood is available in solid unfinished and prefinished solid for nail-down applications on wood and in engineered with a veneer top layer for application on concrete. Para Rosewood is uncommon in comparison with many Brazilian species such as Brazilian Cherry. There is a large amount of Curuatinga Rosewood in South America, and it is not endangered. However, less logging, stricter regulations, and a slower American economy have slightly limited commodities and caused slightly higher prices of this product in this country.
Finished Floor Appearance:
A Select grade floor will have a busy striped appearance. Para Rosewood’s color does not change drastically with sunlight, as do many other species from South America. Oil- or water-based finishes can be used on this flooring.
Flooring Durability and Stability:
Para Rosewood flooring is extremely durable and resists denting and traffic wear quite well. It is harder than many North American species because of its density and is relatively stable. Para Rosewood flooring is very heavy, weighing 3.5 pounds per square foot.
Workability of Para Rosewood Flooring:
Although extremely hard and tough, Curuatinga works with limited difficulty with both hand and power tools. When installing the Para Rosewood flooring, it is best to use a manual nailer, but staples and pneumatic nailers can be used. It holds screws well, and it glues, stains, and polishes to a very attractive finish. It can be somewhat difficult to sand with flooring equipment because of its hardness. Professional sanding and finishing is recommended. This wood is very resistant to decay and insects; these resistant properties may contribute to a possible allergic response to the dust. To avoid a possible allergic reaction to the material, wear a dust mask and long-sleeve shirt when working with Para Rosewood.
Principal Uses of Para Rosewood Flooring:
Curuatinga flooring is used in medium- and high-end residential and commercial applications for a dramatically elegant floor. It works well in rustic camps as well as in contemporary structures.
