Pros and Cons of Mahogany Hardwood Flooring

Mahogany wood was used, especially to make canoes, in the Caribbean region, and in Central and South America in the prehistoric times.

The uses of mahogany timber are many. It is used in making yachts and boats, as also in making doors, furniture and even musical instruments. One of its very popular uses is in flooring.

Mahogany wood is known for its hardness and long life. Its rich reddish brown color radiates warmth. The color works well with any type and style of furniture. It can be used to give a rustic or classic look to your home. This flooring suits modern home interiors as well.

Mahogany wood has fine and attractive wood grain designs, which accentuate your home decor. Its durability and beauty have made it an ideal choice of flooring.

However, there are some disadvantages associated with mahogany floors. The dark color of this wood, for example, makes dust more easily visible on the floor. And its hardness makes it difficult to cut. Here, we enlist some pros and cons of mahogany hardwood flooring, to help you decide whether to opt for it.

Pros

▶Mahogany is harder than other hardwoods like oak, pine, etc. Mahogany wood is said to be around 70% harder and around 28% more stable than oak. The hardness and its property of having no grooves and pockets, makes the wood resistant to water and scratches.

▶Mahogany floor planks are usually cut from quartered logs, which ensures their durability. Due to its strength, there are less chances of the planks bending due to heat.

▶Mahogany has a uniform texture of grains that makes beautiful patterns on the flooring. It goes with every type of furniture giving a classy look to any room.

▶Mahogany wood does not fade easily as it absorbs sunlight.

▶There are slight color variations from orange to dark brown in this wood. However, the reddish brown tint is constant. The color range allows for different combinations of flooring and furniture.

Cons

▶Due to its hardness, mahogany wood is difficult to cut, sand, and shape. This affects the workability of the wood. It is always recommended to get professional help for cutting and installing mahogany wood flooring planks than doing it yourself. It will be a faster and tidier installation this way.

▶Over time, the colors of mahogany wood get richer and darker in the sunlight. Therefore, it is a great idea to get a light-colored mahogany flooring that will turn darker in due course of time.

▶The dark color of the flooring shows dust, pet hair, paw prints, and other debris easily. Therefore, it becomes mandatory to clean the floor regularly.

▶Mahogany wood is expensive in comparison to other hardwood flooring types. It can cost around USD 30 per foot board. Its characteristics like durability and rarity add its cost.

▶There are different types of trees, which have the word "mahogany" in their name. Therefore, their wood is considered as mahogany wood. One may be tempted to buy these due to their reduced cost. However, with such inexpensive options, there are chances of getting duped.

Care Tips

▶Do not let any spill sit on the mahogany flooring for too long. Wipe and dry it immediately.

▶Sweep the mahogany floor gently with a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum cleaner with a soft-bristled attachment to remove dust and dirt.

▶Mix 1 quart of warm water and 1 quart of undiluted vinegar. Moist a mop with the mixture and mop the floor with it. Immediately wipe off the excess mixture from the floor.

▶Take some olive oil on a soft cloth. Rub it in circular motions on the floor to polish it. Let the olive oil set for half an hour. Remove the excess oil with a clean cloth.

▶Remove wax buildup with a solvent-based liquid cleaner. Apply the cleaner to the floor and wipe it with a clean cloth. Let the floor dry. Then, buff your wax-finished floor with an electric buffer.

With these tips on caring for mahogany flooring and an understanding of its pros and cons, you are all set to make the right choice, aren't you?