Tigerwood is one of the vast varieties of wood used for flooring. We have researched the qualities, pros, and cons of using the material to give you an informed choice for your home.
Tigerwood is a durable and long-lasting type of wood though a bit expensive. Nonetheless, it is still suitable for decking and flooring the exterior of your home.
The pros are:
- Staining is not required
- Durable and long-lasting
- Aesthetic appeal
- Resistant to pest infection
- Easy to maintain
The cons are:
- Expensive
- Prone to fading
- Absorbs heat
You want to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of tigerwood before making a purchase. Continue reading to learn more about this flooring type, and we’ll also answer some related questions!
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What Is Tigerwood?
Tigerwood is an unusual option for designers looking for something unique because its basic color is deep amber red with contrasting streaks of deep black similar to a tiger’s coat.
It is solid and resistant to decay, insects, and mold. Tigerwood is quite challenging to get and somewhat pricey. The majority of which is for the US markets.
Tigerwood is made for many purposes, such as flooring, instruments, and furniture. It is ideal for outdoor deck boards, shutters, deck furniture, and boats due to its strength and water resistance.
Additionally, it can also be utilized for ornamental things.
Pros And Cons Of Tigerwood Decking
Tigerwood is widely used for decking. Listed down are its advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
- Staining Is Not Required
Because tigerwood is so magnificent by nature, it doesn’t require staining. They function just as well with a standard seal due to their distinct design.
Even without the particular stain, the wood is naturally resistant to mold, decay, and pests.
- Durable And Long-lasting
Tigerwood won’t get scratched even if your deck experiences strong UV indices, pet claws scratching, or even somewhat intense foot activity. Indeed, it can at least last for so long.
- Aesthetic Appeal
Choosing tigerwood bespeaks of luxury. People with a high sense of luxury adore tigerwood as a decking material.
Disadvantages
- Expensive
Tigerwood is a marketable good, yet it is pretty expensive. The cost of this kind of lumber is somehow not budget-friendly, so it is not practical to buy it, considering that there is also a wood shortage.
The installation team needs your patience because drilling and hammering require much time and work. Installation takes longer, which adds to higher costs.
- Not Readily Available Commercially
Tigerwood likely needs to be specially ordered from a major retailer if you can’t readily find it in your neighborhood market. This may result in surprisingly high shipping costs.
- Absorbs Heat
Tigerwood absorbs heat. It’s bad because the flooring can be too hot for your feet or your pet’s paws.
Pros And Cons Of Tigerwood Flooring
Similarly, tigerwood is also popularly used for flooring. Listed down are the advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
- Durable
The Janka hardness rating for tigerwood is 2160, so its beauty and durability won’t be compromised even in high-traffic areas.
- Does Not Warp
Tigerwood is likened to teak, another wood with a high density. It is rich in natural oils that can withstand water. Even in moist settings, once sealed, tigerwood hardly ever warps, fractures, or rots.
- Wood Length
Tigerwood planks are easy to get in extra-long lengths because of how tall the trees are used to make them; hence, compared to a floor built of another type of wood, yours would have fewer plank joints.
- Resistant To Pest Infestation
Insects and bugs avoid tigerwood because it is difficult to penetrate. The flooring will continue to be resistant to attacks from numerous species.
- Easy To Maintain
Tigerwood is easy to clean. Regular vacuuming to remove tracked-in soil, debris, and filth may be sufficient to keep floors looking spotless.
To maintain the quality of the wood, liquids used to mop up this type of flooring or accidents that happen must be dealt with quickly.
- Add To Your Home’s Estate Value
Tigerwood flooring increases your property value in case you resell your home in the future.
Disadvantages
- Expensive
As previously mentioned, tigerwood is quite expensive, so if you choose it for your flooring, be prepared to dig deep into your cash.
- Prone To Fading
Like all wood floorings, tigerwood can fade over time if exposed to prolonged periods of natural light. To avoid such, consider investing in a light-filtering window covering.
What Are Other Materials For Wood Flooring?
Oak
Oak is a popular material for hardwood flooring because of its durability, longevity, and aesthetic appeal.
The grains are more prominent and appear closely intact, making the lumber more durable. Since it is found all across the country, it is highly affordable compared to other hardwood used for flooring.
Maple
Maple hardwood flooring is also one of the most popular choices among households since it is considerably hard and dense.
The grains are more subtle than oak, making it the right choice if you prefer the look of clear wood grains. This lumber is available in various colors – creamy white, dark brown, and light brown.
Cherry
Cherry is another popular option for hardwood flooring in bedrooms and home areas with lesser foot traffic. Newly-installed cherry wood has a notably distinct golden or pink hue.
As time goes by, the color changes to reddish-brown.
Cedar
Although cedar is a softwood, it is still a good flooring material because it is relatively more durable than most softwoods.
However, it is not a good choice for decking because the lumber does not react well to changing temperatures. Cedar wood is available in rich pinkish red hues to lighter shades of white.
Pine
Pine is also classified as a softwood with a creamy white hue, making it an ideal floor option in bedrooms and areas with lesser foot traffic.
Apart from this, the material can last for decades if properly maintained. Do not worry! Pine is relatively easy to refinish, sand, and stain.
How Else Can I Use Tigerwood?
Tigerwood is not only for flooring and decking; another use of tigerwood is exterior wood cladding, interior wood t/g siding, outdoor constriction, furniture, veneer, gun stocks, and knife handles.
Is Tigerwood Toxic?
Tigerwood can irritate the skin and eyes but has not yet presented a toxic threat. Tigerwood is therefore classified as a sensitizer because it may produce allergic reactions in some individuals.
How Much Does Tigerwood Typically Cost?
Tigerwood decks cost, on average, between $30 and $85 per square foot to be installed. Its median size is around 200 square feet, meaning the average cost for a deck is $11,000, ranging from $6,000 to $17,000.
Complex layouts like multi-tier decks and oddly shaped tigerwood decks can exceed or approach the higher end. Materials used for building a Tigerwood deck usually cost $13-$50 per square foot.
Tigerwood costs $7-$15 per square foot, and you’ll need to spend for deck framing supplies which usually cost $2 up to $10 per square foot.
Simple deck blocks usually cost as little as $4 per square foot, while poured concrete costs a little higher ($25 per square foot).
Installing a Tigerwood deck costs $15-$35 per square foot for labor.
Factors That Affect Tigerwood Flooring Prices
Several factors affect tigerwood flooring costs, and these are:
- Permits – Costs up to $500
- Stairs – Costs $15 to $50 per step
- Railings – Price depends on the linear foot and the material used
- Covering – Costs $30 to $80 per square foot
- Repairs and Maintenance – Pressure washing a deck and cleaning might run $250 to $400. Deck refinishing expenses range from $600 to $1,400.
To Finish Up
Even though tigerwood is expensive, the quality is worth it since you do not have to worry about future floor issues. Hopefully, this article helped you make an informed decision.
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