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Cumaru (Brazilian Teak)
Wood Flooring Species
Scientific Name:
Dipteryx odorata
Other Names and Species:
Almendrillo
Amburana
Brazilian Teak
Imburana de Cheiro
Kumaru
Tonka
Tonka Bean
Tonkin
Tonquin Bean
Origin:
Central and South America
Appearance:
The sapwood of cumaru is very similar to the heartwood, which ranges from tannish to deep brown in color. Over time the color of Brazilian Teak (as it is sometimes referred to) will “flatten out” slightly. The species has an irregular, slightly interlocked grain and is coarse and wavy in texture.
Properties:
Cumaru is resistant to insect attack and decay. Cumaru can take some time to dry properly due to its propensity to shrink when freshly cut, but does have good stability characteristics once dry.
Janka Hardness: 3540
Cumaru is only two and a half percent softer than ipe (Brazilin walnut), over one hundred sixty percent harder than white oak, almost eighty-five percent harder than jarrah, and roughly sixty percent harder than santos mahogany’s ranking of 2200.
Workability:
Because it is such an impressively dense wood, cumaru can provide a certain degree of resistance to cutting blades. Predrilling is suggested, as splitting can occur with the dried form of this species. Cumaru sands well but can take some effort to finish, as it resists treatment. The dust arising from working cumaru wood flooring has been known to cause a slight allergic reaction on contact with skin, and as such some care should be taken in installing and preparing this product.
Principal Uses:
Cumaru’s uses include decking, cabinetry, canoes, pianos, and general construction.
Learn more about available grades of
Brazilian Teak hardwood flooring »
