With the abundance or product harvested here in North America, why does it also make sense, especially for high-design type projects, to consider Brazilian Exotic Hardwood Flooring? Commercial Construction & Renovation caught up with Dan Gold, Director of Architectural Sales at Indusparquet-USA, the stateside arm of Brazil’s premier wood flooring producer, for an exclusive interview on all things flooring. CCR: Has the United States marketplace, especially the commercial construction arena, been made to know about the breadth of product and the overall high performing characteristics of Brazilian wood flooring? Dan Gold: I don’t think so. North American red oak, white oak, maple and hickory are all relatively hard Dan Gold and make for highly durable flooring materials. But these are not as hard as the various exotics from South America. The international Janka hardness test measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear, by gauging the force required to embed a tiny steel ball halfway into the wood’s body. This then determines whether a wood species is suitable for use as flooring. Brazilian hardwoods are generally always at the top of the list for hardness. CCR: Are there other characteristics that make these exotic woods stand out? Gold: There are many. Perhaps the most unique aspect of Indusparquet and Brazilian lumber as a whole, is natural variation and overall visual characteristics. Just about all other manufacturers use stains to create their various colors. We do that, too, but also and more than anyone else—have many species that don’t need to be stained, just finished to showcase their natural colors, which are beautiful and unique.
Dolce Pecan Earl Grey South America, Brazil in particular, also has amazing forests. And, as we all know, Mother Nature has been extremely benevolent to that nation. The fauna and flora found in Brazil is unlike anything that most North Americans have ever experienced. Lumber harvested from trees indigenous to that part of the world is also quite unique. Typically referred to as “Brazilian Exotic Hardwoods,” you may have possibly read about “Ipe” or “Cumuru” or “Jatoba” or “Santos Mahogany” or “Tigerwood.” For commercial installations, these products generally are harder and denser than most other wood species found worldwide. As a result, they can take the pounding that contract interiors must endure—and still last and perform at optimal levels for decade upon decade.
CCR: Why do you think top architects worldwide specify your product, in spite of the fact that it’s sourced in many cases for non-domestic consumption, very far away? Gold: It’s obvious they choose our products for their beauty and durability. For example, some of the most well-known and prestigious buildings across the globe have Indusparquet flooring installed. You can see it in Louis Vuitton stores and Ferrari showrooms. It’s even been selected and subsequently permanently installed within The Taj Mahal and even The Vatican. CCR: How are you able to compete, especially here in North America, as there are so many “home-grown” species of hardwood flooring, let alone the many other types of flooring (porcelain, laminate, resilient, et al) with their wood-grain “looks?” Gold: Our clients, for the most part, already know about the beauty and durability our products offer, which has become synonymous with all Brazilian hardwoods. Because we listen and respond to the North
MARCH : APRIL 2019 — COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION
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