WOOD SPECIES

We process four rare and precious wood species for our exotic flooring:

1) Ebony of the pharaohs: called mpingo in East Africa and Black ivory in South Africa, botanical name dalbergia melanoxylon. This timber has a density of 1.5 t/m3 when harvested. It will be reduced to 1.35 t/m3 when dry. It is more than three times the density of pine and more than twice the density of teak!
It is the hardest and heaviest timber in the world! Ebony has an attractive dark brown colour with black streaks which usually predominate so that the general effect is black. The sapwood is narrow, light yellow and clearly defined.

Ebony of the pharaohs is available in about 20 countries in Africa, in a triangle from the Sudan to Angola and down to the Eastern Cape in South Africa. In most places it grows as a bush. It only grows to large logs in certain parts of Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and the DRC. Large logs can reach a diameter of 600 mm, even a short log will weigh 800-1000 kg. These large logs are rare indeed they take more than 200 years to reach such a size. This timber is the standard for the production of woodwind instruments.

2) Mopane-colophospermum: The heartwood is dark brown to dark red brown when fully oxidised. The thin sapwood is yellow to light brown. This wood is hard and heavy, at 1.3 t/m3 when dry.
This timber is known to most South African as the timber of the mopani worms, a protein rich diet of the native Africans. It is endemic in the Northern Province of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Central Mozambique. Because of its density, about 95% the weight of the ebony, this timber is also used for woodwind instruments.

3) Red ivory: Berchimia zeyheri: The heartwood ranges from light pink to a dark red colour, the sapwood is yellowish. The heart is very hard and heavy with a density of 1.1 t / m3, when it is air-dried. Historically it is a sacred wood of the Zulu Nation. Its attractive colouring makes it ideal for carving, turning of wooden bowls, walking sticks, cues and even putters. It is also used for musical instruments, for its decorative value, in drums, woodwinds and ornamentals.

4) Sandalo: Spirostachys africana.
It is brown and dark brown, sapwood is bright yellow. It is hard with a density of 1.1 t/m3. The parquet flooring has a distinctive rustic look.

 

All our exotic woods are purchased from approved Forestry Operators who must provide a certificate of origin for their timbers, a guarantee that the national regulations for the protection of flora and fauna are strictly abided by.

Our approved suppliers in South Africa and Mozambique have obtained Concessions from the local Governments, and annually apply and pay for cutting permits that will specify the species and volumes they may harvest. In so doing, we are guaranteed sustainability of our sources of supply.

 

PRODUCTS

Our hand-made solid wood floor is made of 8 mm (5/16”) thick hardwood, dried up to a 6-9% moisture content. We offer 6 and 5 fingers combinations, in tiles of 360x360mm, 300x300 / 280x280 / 250x250mm for ease of laying out. Tile sizes will depend on the motives or design floor selected.

Hardwood floors made of exotic woods has a very high resistance to abrasion, it will last a lifetime, even in high traffic areas. For sure, if need be, our flooring, 8 mm in thickness can be sanded many times over. They are recommended for floors with under floor heating.

 

The fact that we cut small blocks enables the perfect drying of the wood. The CSIR (The South African Council for Science and Research) has measured our blocks to have humidity contents as low as 6% for the ebony and 9% for the red ivory, sandalwood and the mopani. It is guarantee for the stability of our exotic wood flooring.

There is always an uncertainty with tongue and groove flooring. Had the timber been correctly kiln dried? If not, warping may occur! By the way, drying of exotic timbers is a lengthy process which requires specialists with knowledge and a long practical experience. For most exotic woods this knowledge is not available any longer!

 

 

FEATURES	BENEFITS
True and unique beauty of natural African wood for flooring. Logos, individual motives and design floor are available on request.	High class. It will enhance the value of your house. Backdrop for Persian rugs. Personalised interior for companies
These timbers are the sturdiest in the world. The three wood species have a density in excess of 1.1 t/m3. If needed, can be sanded time and time over	Ever lasting flooring that doesn’t crack or slit or chip away. Tiles and blocks are indeed more stable than strip flooring.  Well suited for flooring subjected to high traffic, like walkways, bars, restaurants, entertainment areas, dance floors, etc.
The ready-made sections greatly simplify and speed up laying out.	Money saving.
Removable 3M paper is put on top	Nothing but the glue between the wood and the screed.
When sealed with a wood sealer, easy to maintain	Quick and easy cleaning. Ten times quicker and easier than carpets and comparable with tiles.

 

Remember :

• The availability of ebony, mopane, red ivory and sandalwood enables us to make unique colour combinations.  Don’t hesitate to contact us for your own parquet flooring design or logo.
• The ready-made sections or tiles greatly simplify and speed up laying out.
• Nothing but the glue between the parquet flooring and the screed guarantees best adhesion!
• The thickness of 8 mm of solid wood allows for several sending, if need be, making it a very long lasting floor. This is a totally different proposition from the laminated products, where the real wood has a thickness of 0.2 to 1 mm and thus requiring replacement after few years.

 

Parquet floor tiles: ebony, ebony with sapwood, mopane and red ivory

Motives: ebony with sapwood, hadden hall and frame of ebony and mopane