Serving Upstate NY—VT—MA • For selections & prices, CALL or EMAIL US
Timborana (Angico)
Grades & Properties of Wood Flooring —
Exotic Species
Scientific Name:
Piptadenia suaveolens or Enterolobium schomburgkii
Other Common Names and Related Species:
- Acacia Franc
- Angelium
- Angico
- Batibatra
- Bougou Bati Batra
- Coumarouna Odorata
- Cobi
- Galondrino
- Harino
- Hevio
- Jebio
- Menudito
- Timbauba
- Yellow Sucupira
- Yiguire
Shop online now for Timborana Flooring »
Origin:
Timborana is widely distributed through South and Central America, including Brazil.
Janka Hardness: 1570
Timborana is about 20% harder than Red Oak and about the same as hard Maple.
Grades of Timborana Flooring:
Clear grade Timborana flooring is color-sorted for a rich consistent deep reddish color. Timborana is a reddish wood and is most popular in the Clear grade. Timborana is sometimes called light Brazilian Cherry from its resemblance, but it is not related. Only the heartwood of the tree is used in the Clear grade. Timborana does not have as deep a red color as Brazilian Cherry. With Select and Better Timborana flooring, lighter red and tan color variation will be present.
Timborana Flooring Dimension Specifications:
Most Timborana flooring is milled in South America because it is more cost-effective to ship finished material than raw lumber. Lengths of the Timborana 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″. 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.
Flooring Availability:
Timborana is common in comparison with other Brazilian species. Timborana is available in prefinished and unfinished solid form for nail-down applications and in engineered with a veneer top layer for application over concrete. There is a very large amount of Timborana 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 Clear grade floor will have an even reddish rich appearance. Oil-based finishes allow Timborana to age to a deeper red color. Lacquer or de-waxed shellac can be first applied to help preserve the distinctive red color of the wood and will help with drying time. Water-based finishes will preserve the natural color longer.
Flooring Durability and Stability:
Timborana flooring is very durable and resists denting and traffic wear quite well. It is much harder than North American floors because of its density and is relatively stable. Timborana flooring is very heavy, weighing about 3 pounds per square foot.
Workability of Timborana Flooring:
Although extremely hard and tough, Timborana works with limited difficulty with both hand and power tools. When installing the Timborana 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 Timborana.
Principal Uses of Timborana Flooring:
Timborana flooring is used in medium- and high-end residential and commercial applications for a dramatically elegant floor. It is also used for color-contrasting borders and medallions.
