With its warm tones that deepen with age and straight, even grain patterns mahogany hardwood floors can add rich depth to any home in which they are installed. Taking the wood’s characteristics into account can help a homeowner decide the placement of mahogany flooring, and the complimentary tones.
What is Mahogany?
Mahogany is the term used to describe several species of darkly colored, hardwood trees. There are several species of closely related trees which bear the name mahogany in the sale of their timber. Typically, they will also designate the name of the tree from which they were harvested, such as “sipo mahogany” or “New Zealand mahogany”.
While some species of mahogany have been restricted in use, such as Cuban or Honduran mahogany, many other hybrid trees are still harvested for use. Additionally, the FTC allows manufacturers to designate several other species of tree under the term, “mahoganies” which can lead to some confusion on the part of the consumer. Care should be taken to ensure that the wood being purchased is from the mahogany family, by asking of the woods tree of origin. You always think of matching your curtain with your floor and timber flooring five dock can be a good option for such case.
Timbers bearing the name of mahogany are reddish brown in color, darken with age and have a close, even grain pattern. Polished, the red tones of mahogany become more apparent, while direct sunlight and exposure to high levels of humidity will deepen the color of the wood.
Where Can Mahogany Flooring Be Used?
Mahogany can be installed anywhere in the home that hardwood is utilized. It is rot resistant, which makes it ideal for homes with high humidity or dampness, or for homeowners who would like to use hardwood flooring in a finished basement.
Mahogany’s warm colors and tight grain make it ideal for entryways, living rooms and other formal areas of the home, although it can be installed anywhere to give a formal appeal to a home.
Historical homes can make great use of mahogany, as it ages well, particularly in direct sunlight or in areas of high humidity. This can lead to a patinaed effect that can enhance the look of older homes.
Complimenting Mahogany Hardwood Flooring
When utilizing a mahogany floor in the home, it’s important to take its nature and characteristics into account when choosing complimentary woodwork, and paint colors. The wood will darken over time, and may darken more quickly in areas exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore some rooms or areas of the home may deepen in color faster than other areas, leading to a disparity in tone. Considering whether the wood will be refinished regularly to maintain its high polish is also necessary, as the wood will brighten, showing more of its red tones and hues when polished, than when allowed to dull.
Therefore homeowners will need to consider several samples of wood when selecting paint colors and complimentary woodwork. While this may seem time consuming, requesting samples of polished, unpolished and aged mahogany from a seller can help a homeowner to make an informed decision. Installing mahogany floors in a kitchen with natural cherry cabinets, for example could lead to an extremely different look in as little as 5 years, as both woods will darken with time, and could age differently depending on the species.
Likewise paint colors chosen to compliment a light, polished red tone such as warm golds or yellows, may begin to look less appealing when paired with a darker, duller tone of floor. Doing the legwork ahead of time can help homeowners find the paint and woodwork colors that will stand the test of time with the floor.
Mahogany floors are rich in color, and can add character to any room of the house as they deepen and age. As the floor settles into its environment, it will begin to take on a new life and tone that customizes it to that room. This trait, combined with its close, even grain make mahogany flooring a hardwood floor that can stand the test of time.