The benefits, challenges and misconceptions of Brazilian Cherry wood

When you choose the materials you wish your stair parts to be made from, you have to take into consideration two primary factors: Durability is key, as you want your stairs to last as long as possible, but aesthetics are equally important - you don't want an everyday reminder of your decision to ignore good taste.

This is why darker red woods are an increasingly popular choice for flooring in modern home construction. These woods are perhaps some of the most durable varieties that are readily available, while also having a rich hue that is gorgeous when stained accurately.

A species that has become increasingly popular as of late is Brazilian Cherry Wood, also known as Jatoba. This wood is actually not in any way related to the popular American Cherry that has been used in construction for years, which is a much weaker variety and markedly lighter.

Brazilian Cherry is perhaps the densest wood available stateside. It is nearly twice as dense as traditional mahogany, with its closest domestic rival being Red Oak. Jatoba is so hard and heavy because it is grown in a rainforest climate in Brazil, where the extreme humidity has helped spawn a species that is more moisture resistant.

Much like the Red Oak, which can withstand North American weather conditions, making it extremely durable, the climactic extremes of Brazilian Cherry's native habitat have resulted in a very resilient material.

It is one of the hardest woods to work with because of its density, which makes this material an especially premium option. However, when stained it has a unique salmon tonality that sets it apart from other kinds of wood, making the extra cost a worthy investment.