Purpleheart Flooring: Tips & Advice

Purpleheart flooring is one of the most unique and lavish hardwoods you can install in your home. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, but it is also a very durable wood as well. However, working with purpleheart flooring can prove difficult if you are unprepared.

Purpleheart lumber has a high bending and crushing strengths, is very stiff, and has a Janka Hardness rating of 1860. While these features make purpleheart flooring a resilient choice, they also make it difficult to cut and nail. Make sure to keep your saw blades sharp. Not only will this make cutting easier, but it will also help prevent splintering and burn marks on the wood. You will have to sharpen your blades often, since the tough nature of the wood will dull them quickly. Before you nail purpleheart flooring planks into place, it is necessary to pre drill pilot holes. Patience will pay off when working with purpleheart lumber, so take your time.

No doubt you chose purpleheart flooring for its uniquely rich burgundy color. When exposed to sunlight, purpleheart will darken, sometimes almost turning a dark brown. Preventing this color change is easy through the application of a lacquer or water based finish. If for some odd reason you actually want to get rid of the purple color, use a spirit based finish instead.

One final note of caution has to do with health. Purpleheart wood is a potential allergen. The likelihood of being negatively impacted by the wood or sawdust varies from person to person, but in general the risk is low. However, it can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as nausea. When working with purpleheart flooring, and any wood for that matter, it is important to have adequate ventilation, and to wear eye, skin, and breathing protection.

Working with purpleheart flooring can be difficult, but hard work pays off, and the results can be extremely rewarding. Nothing can truly compare to the sophisticated look of a finished purpleheart floor. Take the time and effort to install it properly, and no doubt you will be pleased with your new living space.

Learn more about Purpleheart Flooring.