StewartFloor Blog

Brazilian Cherry Flooring, more appropriately referred to as Jatoba flooring, is the most popular tropical wood in North America.  You may not realize all the steps it takes us to get product to market, especially when you are dealing with a direct importer such as stewartfloor who is involved in the process at all levels.  The following photos show the process of taking Brazilian Cherry lumber and turning it into flooring blanks first and the blanks into moulded flooring.  It’s very different from going to the supermarket and buying off the shelf.  Nature works very differently, not to mention the issues we don’t control, such as shipping, currency fluctuations, manufacturing delays etc.

Many companies promote their many locations on the internet, dozens of warehouses or the fact they “represent” the best mills in South America.  The difference is those companies buy the flooring product out of someone elses warehouse here in America.  We directly import our flooring in 20′ ocean containers at 11,000 square feet a container.  We are financially invested in the process as stewartfloor has to pay it’s manufacturing partners days after the container sails from the port in South America.  You can realize the financial commitment and resources this takes to bring these products to market without a middleman being involved.  We are proud to offer you the finest flooring which is proven in the marketplace through distribution, dealers and homeowners alike.  We maintain warehouses in Chicago, Illinois; Greensboro, North Carolina; Baltimore, Maryland; and Oakland, California.

I hope you find the following photo journey interesting.

Continue Reading

If you are in the market for new Brazilian Cherry Flooring, you should strongly consider purchasing now.  Pricing is steadily increasing due to several key factors.  First, supplies have been limited over the last year due to a significant increase in demand in South America, which historically has not been a significant customer base.  Secondly, currency exchange rates have continued to slide against importers making export more expensive and less appealing for manufacturers in South America.  Thirdly, we are still in the rainy season which means supplies are even lower and manufacturers are barely running due to very low stock levels.

With so many companies offering products for sale through a multitude of channels, do your homework.  First, does the company you plan on buying from actually own the material you want to buy from them?  The majority of companies online for example, do not own any stock themselves, they only buy the stock from an importer when you place your order from them.  How much do they know about the stock?  The quality of manufacturing, grading & finishing?  What if you have an issue?  Now there are other people involved in the transaction which were hidden from you previously.  At stewartfloor, we own everything we sell as we buy it directly from the owners of our manufacturing partners in South America.  We’ve been buying from these family owned manufacturers and importing for years.  Any of us can pay someone to build a nice looking website, but this doesn’t mean these companies have any real “skin in the game” or depth of knowledge about what they are offering for sale.  We inventory over a half million dollars worth of flooring at all times.  We import only exotic wood flooring manufactured in South America.

Continue Reading

Another completely satisfied customer – Trina from Maryland says about her new Brazilian Cherry Flooring from stewartfloor: “The floors are finished and they look great!!  We are really happy with the color we chose.  The contractor said the wood was very easy to work with.  Thanks again!”

We know it can be stressful navigating the internet and choosing a company to purchase your new wood floor from, but we are here to help.  Just as Trina discovered after shopping at traditional flooring stores and liquidators, our quality and service were at least as good if not better and our price was nice too!  What makes us different?  We sell from our own directly imported inventory, not from others inventory.  Yes, we actually own what we sell.  Our experience is hands on in South America and buying from only a few choice suppliers which share our quest for quality and environmentally correct practices.  These supplier relationships have been developed and nurtured for 13 years and it provides tremendous continuity and consistent quality for you.

We have our own quality control manager in Brazil and independently inspect our material before loading.  This is an added expense, but one which we are committed too.

Brazilian Cherry Flooring Prepared for Loading into 20' Container

Stewartfloor Quality Control Manager Checking 5" Brazilian Cherry on Grading Table.

We work as true business partners with our supply partners in an ongoing quest to constantly improve.

If you are looking to be inspired by a truly amazing new wood floor, stewartfloor is the right company for you.  This is our specialty and as always, we are here to provide you with an unmatched combination of quality, service and a market competitive price.

Continue Reading

Put a little cheer in your daily life by replacing your old and tired flooring.  Wood flooring adds value to your property, something we could all use and realtors say that a home with a wood floor will sell quicker than one which doesn’t.  So why not update your floor and enjoy a few more smiles with family and friends.

Our flooring is imported directly, conveniently warehoused and shipped throughout North America and all the savings are for you!  Great quality flooring, service and price all conveniently and professionally delivered to you.

Continue Reading

Brazilian Cherry/ Jatoba Long Length Flooring 8' to 13' Lengths

Brazilian Cherry Long Length Flooring from a Direct Importer

Looking for that special floor?  The one that would make your neighbors salivate?  We have Brazilian Cherry Long Length Flooring available for your special project.  Typically this category would be defined by flooring which is 6′ to 10′ in length, we are offering 8′ to 13′ with an average length of an incredible 10.5′!  For you designers and archictects out there, this will completely separate you from your competition and create an exceptional and exquisite design for your client.

This flooring was hand selected for its appearance and only the finest boards were approved.  This product is tongue and groove 4 sides.  Make a statement today!

Continue Reading

“Good Things” to keep in mind when considering your new wood floor purchase from an internet source:

• It’s relatively inexpensive to start a business and launch a website
• It costs very little to offer products for sale on a website
• Does the website you are considering to purchase your new floor from actually own an inventory or simply offer manufacturers products for sale?  This is unfortunately very often the case which means the site is purchasing flooring from an importer or distributor.
• Does the website company have any influence or control over the quality control of the flooring production?  This is a key element in protecting yourself.  If a company has no investment in inventory and no control over the quality of the product they are selling this is a red flag.
• We own all the flooring we sell.  The difference?  We are completely invested in the process from start to finish.  We have exclusive relationships with manufacturers in Brazil, Paraguay & Peru.  We inspect everything we purchase and offer for sale.  Although we currently do not have a storefront, we maintain a half million dollar investment in Exotic Wood Flooring between our 4 warehouses.
• We are specialists!  We are available to answer any and all of the questions you may have and help you navigate between fact and fiction in the world of exotic wood flooring.
• As the old adage goes, “if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.”  We have 13 years experience in brazilian hardwood flooring.  We are here to help educate you so that you can make a sound buying decision and one made with confidence.
  

  Stewartfloor flooring being prefinished in Paraguay

  

  Stewartfloor Brazilian Cherry Flooring being inspected on grading table in Brazil

Continue Reading

Wood is like no other natural product on earth!  Hardwood flooring adds an undeniable warmth to any home or commercial space.  Wood flooring has many advantages when compared to other flooring materials such as carpet, among them are health benefits.  Unlike carpet, wood flooring is allergy friendly and easy to maintain.

When choosing among various wood species for your interior, there are several key points to keep in mind to guarantee your satisfaction.

1.  Color is the first consideration given the fact that flooring is the major canvas for overall interior design.  One simply cannot underestimate the importance of color and its impact in your overall design goals.

2.  Once the color range has been decided, your personal lifestyle is an important consideration.  This comes into play considering the density of one species over another and practical wear and tear.  Tropical species have a major advantage in this consideration when compared with traditional domestic species.  The species offered at StewartFloor range from 25% harder up to 3 times harder when compared to domestic species.  What does this mean to you?  Although like all woods, they will still dent and scratch, tropical woods will do this to a lesser extent compared to domestic species such as Oak & Maple.

3.  Species of wood are as unique as individuals.  It’s important to consider your climate and how one species behaves in your climate compared to another species.  Wood is hygroscopic and this means it adapts to the environment it is in.  During the winter months with the heater on to maintain a pleasant environment, wood will shrink and this is what creates the “gaps” you commonly see in the floor.  There is nothing wrong with the floor and it is not defective, it’s simply shrinking due to the dryness in the air.  In the summer months, more humidity means the wood swells again and the gaps fill in.  Some woods shrink less than others and are more stable than others, if this is a critical point for you, then comparing species stability should be on your list of considerations in selecting the right species of wood for your new floor.

Continue Reading

The production of StewartFloor tropical wood flooring contributes to the economic strength in the communities where our manufacturing partners are located in Brazil, Paraguay & Peru.

StewartFloor is committed to preserving the forests of South America.  In Brazil, the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA) monitors and regulates the forestry industry. StewartFloor promotes sustainable forest practices and is committed to securing timber that is selectively harvested and inspected under the governments guidelines.  StewartFloor  supports only manufacturing partners who are committed to sustainable forestry practices and are committed to the social and economic well being of their employees as well as obeying the law.  Following these practices provides well being for communities and employees as well as ensuring that the forests live on to provide economic benefit for local communities for generations in the future.

Continue Reading

Brazilian Cherry flooring has become quite popular over the last decade.  Brazilian Cherry provides the perfect canvas to create an overall successful interior design.  For good reason, it’s beautiful red color which darkens with exposure to sunlight has exceptional hardness and provides both affordable elegance and practical durability for generations to come.  Designers, Architects and homeowners agree this species is special.  StewartFloor is proud to offer this species in 3/4″ x 3″ as well as 4″ and 5″ widths in 1′ to 7′ lengths in Prefinished as well as an ultra premium grade product unfinished in 3/4 x 5″ x 8′ to 13′ lengths with an average of 10.5′.

Continue Reading

At Stewartfloor we are pleased to provide free hand samples in assisting homeowners in their purchase decision.  It’s important to keep in mind that wood is a natural product and samples are just that, samples.  Samples provide an idea of what an overall floor will look like, but it is key to consider pictures and larger samples if you are not familiar with what to expect or comfortable in making a decision.  Stewartfloor is happy to assist with this as we provide full boxes of flooring for purchase.

Continue Reading