Santos Mahogany
From Floor Coverings
Contents |
Wood Species
Santos Mahogany
Biological name
Myroxylon, balsamum
Originates from or commonly found in
Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Panama, Guatemala and Mexico
Physical appearance
The Santos Mahogany is a very tall tree which can reach to heights of up to 100 feet tall, with a trunk of up to 3 feet wide. The sapwood is light brown while the heartwood of the Santos Mahogany tree has a medium red hue that goes all the way to a dark reddish color.
Flooring Properties
Santos Mahogany is a rich, dark mahogany-colored wood that is extremely dense and stable. Its superior hardness and color fastness make it an excellent choice over genuine mahogany, which is too soft for most flooring uses. Santos Mahogany has a medium color range, varying between a light orange-brown with yellowish overtones to a dark reddish-purplish brown. Machining and sawing can be problematic for this species, so carbide tipped tools are recommended. It does, however, sand very well and come to a nice natural polish. Its texture is exceptionally fine and even. Santos Mahogany will undergo a slight color change as its colors are muted to reduce its tones.
Janka rating
Santos Mahogany has a hardness rating of 2200.
