Tiger wood, whose official name is astronium fraxinifolium is an exotic hardwood that has its origins in Africa, but nowadays normally hails from the likes of South America. Normally a tanny, red colour with dark brown “stripes”, it is easy to see how it gets its name. Recognised for its extreme strength and durability, tiger wood has a high Janka rating (see our article on Wood Flooring Durability to find out more) which means that it’ll stand up to some seriously tough wear and tear and stay looking good for a very long time. A relatively expensive flooring solution, due to the costs of getting tiger wood from where in the world it is found to the UK, the price of this species of wood is also inflated because it is notoriously difficult to dry, which means that its preparation takes time and care, both of which add to the cost.
A very distinctive style of wood flooring, many who are seeking a flooring option with significant colour and grain interest and detail seek out tiger wood. Its characteristic stripes are deemed by many to be a particularly stylish and appealing backdrop to either a traditional or a modern interior.
Tiger wood, like many of the other globally sourced exotic woods gets a fairly hard time when it comes to sustainable harvesting. Commonly criticised for the irresponsible harvesting which takes place in many parts of the world, it’s important to make sure that if you’re planning a tiger wood flooring project that you attempt to seek out an option that benefits from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation. The FSC accreditation scheme clearly identifies timber that comes from well-managed and well-protected sources. It concerns itself with how forests are managed from a social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual viewpoint as well as paying respect to present and future generations in all its dealings. An FSC tiger wood will give you reassurance that what you’re buying has been harvested in a responsible way.
All of that said, the stunning good looks and durability of this hardwood, as well as its impressive colouration are what serve to make it a really desirable flooring option. An option that is stunning in all its colour variations, thanks to its characteristic stripes, tiger wood typically darkens over time and, or when exposed to sunlight, and truly is a wood flooring solution that improves with time. If you’re looking for a wood flooring option that is a tiger wood lookalike, you shouldn’t need to look too far to find what you’re after.
When it comes to solid wood flooring alternatives, the likes of cumaru will allow you to achieve a similar look to tiger wood but at a fraction of the price. At Wood and Beyond, we have lacquered, prime solid cumaru flooring in stock in both 15mm and 19mm board widths, which will allow you to achieve a tiger wood look without breaking the bank. These flooring options are stylish and credible alternatives to tiger wood, which can be delivered from stock to your home, enabling you to get your flooring project under way.