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As cast glass is non-porous and does not absorb grease, dirt or fingerprints, it is easy to clean and durable. Like many hard surface materials, safety is often an issue. Gripping surfaces imbedded in the product elevate the shoe tread off the glass, not only preventing slipping, but also reducing scratching as it elevates the shoe treads off of the glass. Allan describes the approach as “glass sandpaper,” and it offers see-through treads while providing a safe walking surface.

For architects looking for a green approach, Allan offers some caution to claims about recycled glass used in flooring. “Recycled glass is not used in the flat glass industry. Broken glass can be used when the product is liquefied, but if there is a compatibility issue, the glass cannot be tempered and classified as safety glass,” he said. “In projects where recycled product is mandatory, it would be advisable to request from your supplier a letter that states the flat glass product being used is developed from recycled glass. Also request information from other sources to back up claims.”

An exotic experience

Looking for something new for that commercial office project? Maybe “Amendoim,” with its reddish-brown hue and wavy grain pattern, is the right fit. How about “Purpleheart,” with its deep purple to purplish brown coloring? Or perhaps “Wenge,” with its chocolate brown and gold grain.

What is this material with the mysterious names? It’s actually exotic hardwood flooring and it’s been coming on strong in both the commercial and residential markets in recent years. “New varieties of woods together with high-quality engineered grades have revolutionized the hardwood flooring market,” says Steve Wagner, Creative Director, Black Rock Communications, Darnestown, Maryland. “New technologies enable architects to carry their designs throughout a project, from basement to penthouse.”

Concrete and cementitious toppings are increasingly popular in office, retail and restaurant environments because of the advantages in durability, value, reduced maintenance and environmental considerations. Courtesy of L. M. Scofield

The familiar North American maple, red oak and cherry have a strong tradition in flooring, but exotic hardwoods are providing a broader palette for designers. For example, when Michael Harris Homes of Vienna, Va., wanted a unique look for their model homes at an upscale golf community, they selected Brazilian cherry prefinished flooring over the standard oak, which is popular in the mid-Atlantic region. The plank is a wide, three-inch width, which results in elegant, sophisticated country warmth that works throughout the entire house.

A benefit of exotic hardwoods is that unlike stained floors, where color is applied on top, the color of exotic hardwoods is uniform throughout, mitigating gashes and dents. But gashes and dents seem unlikely, given that exotic hardwoods are typically harder and therefore more durable than domestic varieties. Hardness is tested by the Janka Hardness system, which evaluates the pounds of pressure required to embed a 0.444-inch-diameter steel ball one half of its diameter into the wood. According to the U.S. Forestry Lab using this system, Brazilian walnut requires 3,680 pounds per square inch of pressure versus American cherry that requires just 950 pounds per square inch of pressure. According to the Janka Hardness system, most common, domestic wood species fall at the lower end of the hardness spectrum.

Advances in engineered flooring enable the hardwood design to continue through areas once forbidden, including bathrooms, kitchens and subterranean floors. “Engineered floors together with new adhesive technologies enable the flooring to be installed throughout an entire project—interchanging the best material for each location,” says Wagner. “For example, new adhesives enable the flooring to be installed directly on concrete, saving time and money.”

Maintaining both engineered and exotic hardwoods usually requires commercial spray cleaners or damp mopping, making them simple to clean. Planks that are damaged can be easily replaced individually without needing to resurface or refinish the entire floor.

When examining any exotic hardwood products, Wagner advises to take a hard look at the manufacturer with regard to environmental responsibility. “There are a lot of things to consider when specifying a project, but I think it’s most important when using exotic woods to make certain you’re working with a product produced by a company committed to reforestation and responsible extraction,” he said.