Are you looking for exotic hardwood flooring that’s medium to dark red-brown in color? African Sapele might be the species for you! Imported from Africa, floors made from Sapele are common throughout the United States and Europe, especially Germany (it became a popular choice for decorative cabinetry during World War II and grew in use from there). See all its uses on our Sapele Pinterest board!
5 Benefits to African Sapele Flooring
Here are five benefits to this type of hardwood flooring:
- Appearance. In addition to its distinctive reddish hue that becomes darker as time passes, Sapele floors can be quarter-sawn to create a stunningly beautiful ribbon stripe. It’s a good fit for many different homes as the rich color and fine grain accent many styles nicely. For those that like the look of African mahogany, this is a good alternative to consider.
- Durability & Stability. With a rating of 1500 on the Janka scale, this flooring species is very stable. “Sapele grows with an interlocking grain pattern where the fibers twist around the tree as they grow. While the grain pattern is still moving in the same direction, the interlocking pattern acts to cancel out a lot of movement that is typically found across the grain.” These floors are also resistant to rot, weather and insects (they feature an attractive aroma that keeps insects away).
- Versatility. Sapele hardwood flooring can be used in many different spaces throughout your home, such as high traffic areas like the entryway and kitchen, or cozier settings like an office or bedroom. In addition to its use in floors, this species is also used for doors, furniture, cars and musical instruments; it was even used in German Zeppelins during World War II.
- Cost-effectiveness. Because of its lower price point, Sapele is a common alternative to African mahogany. Sapele trees are so large and common throughout Africa (from Sierra Leone to Angola and eastward through the Congo to Uganda), that this flooring species is readily available to homeowners, which helps keep the cost down.
- Sustainability. This is an element we consider with all the flooring we recommend. Although over-harvesting was a problem when it first became popular, many plantations and logging companies throughout Africa have started following strict regulations so homeowners can verify they’re using eco-friendly wood for their floors.
It’s also worth noting that, although this species of hardwood flooring can be nailed, glued and finished easily, its interlocking grain does tear easily, and because it dries quickly, it has a tendency to warp. Although doing it yourself is a more cost-effective option, you’ll still want to hire a professional to install your Sapele floors.
Do you want to know more about this or another type of flooring? Come visit our showroom; our experts are happy to answer your questions! Be sure to contact us for a free in-home estimate today, too.
Photo Credit: Mirage floors