Brazilian Koa: Everything to Know to Embellish Your Space

Wooden floors are the choice of many people lately. Among various ingredients, Brazilian koa is one of them. We also usually call it tigerwood.

Not only for flooring, but some people also experimented with using this valuable hardwood in other parts, for example, backsplash. You can also place it in other features of the house as a decoration.

The popularity of tigerwood is not without reason. In addition to a beautiful pattern, this hardwood has high durability. Thus, it can produce a sturdy and durable structure.

However, like other building materials, you might find some disadvantages when using Brazilian koa lumber. There are various treatments needed for maximum results.

However, it will be worth the results you get. The flawless beauty will decorate every corner. Read the following article and find out how to bring out the true beauty of this wood.

What is Brazilian Koa?

Brazilian koa, whose botanical name is Astronium fraxinifolium, is the fourth-strongest type of hardwood after Brazilian cherry, acacia, and Santos mahogany.

Likewise, this wood also has another name tigerwood or zebrawood.

The naming of tigerwood itself is not without reason. Naturally, this wood has a bold stripes motif that is reminiscent of tiger skin. Its reddish-brown color is also reminiscent of the animal.

However, this hardwood also consists of several different types. Some species have lighter colors and motifs, such as zebra skin. It is no wonder that the name zebrawood is also quite popular.

As the name implies, the Brazilian koa tree grows in several regions such as Brazil and Peru. However, this plant can also grow in other South American states, such as Paraguay, Bolivia, and Uruguay.

We measure the strength of each type of wood from the Janka rating.  In this case, the tigerwood has a value between 1850 and 2160. A higher measurement result means more durable of its strength.

One of the reasons for Brazilian koa hardness is soil fertility. The more fertile the habitat, the stronger the tree will be so that the Janka rating will be higher.

A Brief History of the Tigerwood

The use of this wooden material is relatively new, especially in America. Even though this variety has been around for a long time, its use only began in the 1900s.

At that time, its use as a material for making pipe organs and violins was remarkable. This wood also produces quality musical instruments because of its high durability.

After that, the community began to develop it for several benefits, especially those related to the outdoor. Some people even use it to make boats because of its waterproof properties.

Over time, its use is growing. Not only for outdoor purposes, but people are also starting to use it for furniture, house parts, and decorations.

Today, one of the most popular common uses is flooring. You can use it in all spaces because of its flexible design and waterproof nature.

The Common Characteristics

Despite its American habitat, Brazilian Koa is a type of wood that is very easy to find. Because the quality is so high, many people utilize it to be furniture or other stuff.

However, many people confuse this wood with others. Some species do have similar characters but with different qualities.

To avoid the wrong choice, you need to learn about the general characteristics of the material. Here are some features to know:

·    High Durability

Brazilian Koa is one species that has many advantages. Being famous for one of the strongest woods, this material can produce many quality crafts.

The level of hardness is very high, so it is quite strong in various uses. Unlike other woods, Brazilian koa is waterproof but does not shrink easily. It is due to its high density.

Another advantage of this wood is its ability to withstand heavy loads, making it suitable for wooden floors. Plus, the surface is waterproof and scratch-resistant for a long time.

·    Natural Luster

The uniqueness that distinguishes Brazilian koa from other woods is its shiny surface. Most trees have a tone that tends to be matte.

Therefore, this wood does not require a complicated lamination process. You can get a metallic and oily look naturally, even without polish.

·    Color and Pattern

In general, this American ancient wood has a brown color combined with a reddish or orange color. The degree of color maturity varies, sometimes darker or lighter.

Besides, the tone really reflects the natural color. Like other woods, Brazilian koa also has stripped all over it.

The other unique thing about this plant is a pattern similar to tiger skin, so it is also popular with the name tigerwood.

Uniquely, the strips on the wood surface are usually quite contrasting with the colors. It is what makes many people consider it to have high aesthetic value.

·    Darken Over Time

Like other woods, Brazilian koa will also change color over time. The older it is, the darker the shade will be.

The Brazilian koa color change, and almost all hardwoods, is a result of natural processes. Wood is sensitive to light so exposure to the sun will slowly change its tone.

Apart from that, environmental influences also have a role. Temperature and weather will also accelerate the discoloration of many trees, including this variety.

It also applies after you install a Brazilian cocoa-based material. The longer the color will be darker, especially in those parts, both indoors and outdoors, exposed to intense sunlight.

After studying the characteristics above, of course, you can imagine how great the quality is. Its use will be a high-value investment in the future.

In the next discussion, we will discuss some facts about Brazilian koa. That way you might decide whether it suits your needs or not.

Brazilian Koa Reviews: Advantages and Disadvantages

Choosing wood to build part of the house cannot be arbitrary. You have to make sure the strength is sufficient to avoid premature loss due to environmental influences.

Everyone agrees that one of the right choices is to use Brazilian koa. However, there are still many considerations.

In this discussion, we will discuss some of the pros and cons of using this material as part of your daily needs. Here is the explanation.

·    Advantages

We have discussed most advantages of Brazilian koa in this article. We should admit that this wood does have high quality and aesthetic value.

There are many advantages that you can get, so using this wood is considered a smart investment. In general, here are some pros of tigerwood.

• High quality: As explained above, this wood is durable, stable, and having high-density.
• Beautiful appearance: The surface has unique strips like tiger skin. Besides, the color also looks warm and can beautify the room.
• Do not shrink and move easily: Due to its high density, Brazilian koa will not be easily deformed.
• Strong: Brazilian koa is a type of wood that can withstand heavy loads. This material is very safe and durable as flooring for your home.
• No scars: Apart from having great strength, tigerwood is also more scratch-resistant than other woods. Do not be afraid that the floor is easily damaged by a pet’s claws.
• Long-lasting: All of the above benefits, in the end, make it durable and have a longer-use value than other woods.
• Water-resistant: Because of this property in ancient times many people used it as a boat. Now, many people use it as a backsplash.
• Natural luster: It has a naturally glossy surface. Thus you do not need to do any more polish to get a beautiful appearance.
• Weather-resistant and anti-fungal: Its high density provides many benefits to Brazilian koa. This wood is more resistant to weathering because mold does not easily grow on it.

Furthermore, you will get many benefits while using Brazilian koa. Apart from the points above, there may be many more advantages of this wood.

·    Disadvantages

Unfortunately, there are always drawbacks behind strengths. Regardless of the many benefits you get, there are some prices you have to pay.

There will be several risks if you choose to use Brazilian koa. Consider the following things before going into action.

1.  Expensive Prices

With high quality, this zebrawood also has an expensive value. Pay more if you want to get this glossy look. However, this is in proportion to its appearance.

Expensive costs are not only for purchase and installation. If later you have it at home, you also have to prepare large funds for maintenance.

2.  Complicated Treatment

With a high price, of course, you will try hard so that the Brazilian koa at home remains durable. Therefore, taking extra care is necessary.

One of them is how to maintain the smooth look of this wood. Even though it is waterproof and scratch-resistant, that does not mean Brazilian koa cannot be damaged.

You may have to apply an extra layer to keep it in shape. Besides, clean it often so that it is not easy to overgrow the damaging fungus.

Now, you have learned the advantages and disadvantages of Brazilian koa. If you prefer using this material, then you can go on to the next discussion.

See More: What is Stone Dust: The Ultimate Guide

Brazilian Koa Utilization

As mentioned above, Brazilian koa has many benefits. Most people use it as flooring, but not a few furniture and parts of the house use this material.

It is because this wood is easy to find. The hard and sturdy texture is also a point. Then, the following are some of its uses in everyday life:

·    Flooring

The most popular use of Brazilian koa is as a material for floorings. Its durability makes it quite sturdy as a foothold, while its warm colors can give a peaceful nuance in the room.

The use itself is quite practical because currently, Brazilian koa vinyl plank is available. It looks simpler to assemble and install. The sizes also vary which enables you to adjust to room conditions.

For a more practical installation, you can use a tongue and groove type vinyl plank. However, currently, there are still many installations that use glue to glue it to the floor.

Meanwhile, based on Brazilian koa laminate wood flooring, there are several display options that you can choose from, namely matte and glossy. Both of them have their beauty.

For the record, because it comes from natural ingredients, the motif is one of a kind. You will not be able to find the same pattern from one vinyl plank to another.

·    Furniture

Strong wood like Brazilian koa is a material in which many people are interested. Therefore, its use is also broad. Besides flooring, another common utilization is as furniture.

Although it is not the strongest, Brazilian koa hardness is sufficient to support many intense needs. You do not need to worry about porous and brittle as this material is quite outstanding in strength.

Today many tables, chairs, and other furniture use this type of tigerwood. Apart from taking advantage of its strengths, unique patterns and warm colors are also its main attraction.

·    Backsplash

Lately, the use of wood as a backsplash is quite famous. But like flooring, this section also requires heavy-duty material to accommodate the intense activities on it.

Therefore, Brazilian koa can be an option. With a high enough Janka rating, this material can withstand heat, cold, water, and other factors.

Besides, Brazilian koa is wood that is not easily weathered and moldy. Currently, many backsplash products use this kind of material in various models and surface finishes.

·    Anything about Rustic

Are you a fan of rustic nuances? If so, then Brazilian koa can be your true friend. You can use it to beautify various corners of the house and the rooms in it.

As explained above, you can use Brazilian koa as flooring, backsplash, and furniture. However, you can still make it a part of the decoration.

Many people use wood to make beautiful displays. Some even use it to cover a portion of the walls. Using Brazilian koa means you have invested in your home.

Generally, there are several beneficial uses for Brazilian koa. Some of you may know other usages of this wood.

But whatever this wood is, try to admit that this material is a good recommendation. In the next discussion, we will discuss how to use it to its full potential.

Installation and Maintenance

Previously, you have learned all the theoretical things about Brazilian koa. Now it is time to determine if the use of this wood suits your needs.

In case you are still interested in bringing the beauty of Brazilian koa at home, you should also learn practical things about it. The following are some explanations about installation and maintenance.

·    The Best Place to Install

Brazilian koa is a flexible material and can be anywhere to place. However, think about several considerations while determining where to use them.

Due to its durable nature, installation is suitable even in places with high traffic. You can also place it in parts that require heavy-duty material.

However, be careful if you want to place it in a humid location, such as the bathroom. Brazilian koa is waterproof resistant, but it will gradually get damaged if exposed to continuous water.

Therefore, if you want to place it in the bathroom, there should be another layer on the surface. It aims to protect the wood so that it can last longer.

Just a suggestion, considering the high price, you should place it in a dry location. Thus, the natural glossy appearance does not fade quickly.

·    How to Make It Durable Longer

Because they are so expensive, of course, you will want to keep them longer. Therefore, you need to have sufficient knowledge about how to treat it well.

For the sake of longevity, tigerwood does have a complicated maintenance process. The following are some of the things you can apply:

1.  Lighting System

This type of wood is sensitive to sunlight. Too long exposure will cause the color to fade quickly. It might damage the strips on the surface.

Therefore, do not expose tigerwood to direct sunlight for long enough. If the location is potentially reachable to the sun, you should provide a thick cover.

2.  Cleaning Regularly

Despite its shiny appearance, Brazilian koa is also fragile to dust and dirt. One of the greatest ways to treat this problem is by regular cleaning.

Besides keeping it clean and beautiful, the cleaning will protect the woods from scratches due to dust friction. Therefore, you should not be lazy to do it.

3.  Adding a layer of protection

The most effective way to protect this wood is to provide an additional layer of protection, particularly if you use it in the bathroom. It does prevent scratches, mold, and dirt.

Even though you have added a guard, you still have to be careful about it. Never drag heavy objects over it to keep the protective coating and wood underneath.

To conclude, using Brazilian koa as part of the house seems to be quite tricky. Behind its beauty, you also have to take extra care. Now it is your turn to think about implementing it or not.