Brazillian Walnut(ironwood) Flooring

RR/builders

Need some info... A customer of mine had the above 3/4" plank flooring installed by a so called professional. He wasn't happy with the results and ask'd me to take a look at it and give my opinion. What I saw was un-even boards all over. I believe they are 3-1/4" wide. If you look at 3 side by side the center one would be a little lower. I told him it needs to be sanded again. He said that's what he told the contractor. The contractors reply was that this is a very hard wood with some being harder than others and that this is common with this wood because the softer grains will sand more than the hard grains. I don't by it... for one, the edges of the adjoing boards are square not rounded as to indicate more stock removale on some boards and not others. Has any one installed this type of flooring and had this problem. Looking for answers and opinions

genecarp

The same rules apply to sanding braz walnut as apply to oak, or any other hardwood flooring. How about an introduction, it is a common practice of newcomers on contractor talk. G

__________________

rotarex

so if the other guy was a so called contractor, what do it make you for coming on a forum to ask advice on wood? i would understand if its a product thats new on the market

__________________
Custom Decks
Custom aquarium all salt water
Renovation
next on my list............planting trees for all those material i used

WisePainter

I tried that, nobody responded...

__________________
My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

Splinter

For those that dont know, Brazilian Walnut is another name for Ipe. I can imagine prepping that stuff for indoor use must be difficult.. I only use it on decks, and the stuff I can get has a lot of variation in it.

Are there any east coasters out there that have use it indoors? I've never had a customer ask for it...

__________________
- Alex

Long Island Remodeling Contractor

astor

Ipe aka Brazilian Walnut is somehow difficult but manageable to sand finish.It has higher oil content so floor finisher needs to be experienced with these type of flooring.But "Ironwood" name is not used for Ipe,it maybe Massaranduba with is more dark red than Ipe, same with sanding and finishing.
Get an experienced reputable floor to look at and price.