Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) Hardwood Flooring Guide

Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring Guide, also known as Jatoba, is a dense tropical hardwood species recognized for its deep reddish-brown tone and elevated Janka hardness rating of approximately 2350. Significantly harder than Red Oak hardwood flooring and White Oak hardwood flooring, Jatoba offers strong dent resistance and long-term durability. Standard 3/4 inch solid Brazilian Cherry flooring supports multiple refinishing cycles and is commonly specified for luxury residential interiors seeking warmth, density, and visual depth.

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Luxury interior with Brazilian cherry (Jatoba) hardwood flooring featuring deep rich tones and smooth finish

What Is Brazilian Cherry Hardwood?

Brazilian Cherry, or Jatoba, is a tropical hardwood species known for:

Compared to Acacia hardwood flooring, Jatoba typically offers slightly higher hardness and a more consistent red color profile. Learn everything you need to know about durability, color variation, and performance in our Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) hardwood flooring guide , ideal for high-traffic and luxury interiors.

Brazilian Cherry Janka Hardness Rating

Brazilian Cherry measures approximately 2350 on the Janka hardness scale.

For comparison:

For a complete breakdown of dent resistance values, review the Janka Hardness Scale Guide.

Brazilian Cherry vs Oak Flooring

Oak provides:

  • Neutral tone range
  • Moderate hardness
  • Traditional grain structure

Brazilian Cherry delivers:

  • Higher dent resistance
  • Deeper red coloration
  • Greater density

For detailed evaluation, compare with Solid Oak Hardwood Flooring and White Oak Hardwood Flooring.

Brazilian Cherry vs Cumaru

Both are tropical hardwood species.

Cumaru hardwood flooring offers:

  • Higher hardness rating
  • Golden-brown tone

Brazilian Cherry offers:

  • Deep red warmth
  • Strong durability
  • Slightly easier installation compared to Cumaru

See Jatoba vs Cumaru Flooring for full comparison.

Color Aging and Light Exposure

Brazilian Cherry naturally deepens in tone over time with exposure to light. Initial installation may appear lighter, gradually maturing into a richer hue. This natural oxidation is part of the species’ visual character.

Wide Plank Brazilian Cherry Flooring

Brazilian Cherry performs well in wide plank solid hardwood flooring formats due to its density.

Available widths typically include:

Learn more about board width considerations in Wide Plank Solid Hardwood Flooring.

Is Brazilian Cherry Good for High Traffic Areas?

Yes. Its high Janka rating makes it suitable for:

For a full durability breakdown across species, see Best Hardwood Flooring for High Traffic Areas.

Brazilian Cherry Flooring Cost Per Square Foot

Tropical hardwood species generally carry higher material cost than domestic Oak.

Pricing depends on:

For cost planning, review Hardwood Flooring Cost Per Square Foot.

Installation and Thickness

Brazilian Cherry is commonly milled in 3/4 inch solid hardwood flooring thickness. Due to density, professional nail-down installation over plywood subfloor is recommended. See 3/4 Inch Solid Hardwood Flooring for structural details.

Order Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Samples

Because of its rich color tone, reviewing a sample in your lighting environment is strongly recommended before committing to full square footage. Order Hardwood Samples to compare Brazilian Cherry with Oak, Acacia, or Cumaru.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Acacia typically has a higher Janka hardness rating than both Red and White Oak.
Its higher hardness rating makes it suitable for active residential environments.
Standard 3/4 inch solid Acacia flooring can be refinished multiple times.