But if you want something out of the ordinary, and you’re willing to pay for it, exotic hardwoods from Brazil, Asia, Africa, or Australia can create a dramatic, distinctive room that’s one of a kind.

Jatoba.  Also known as Brazilian cherry, Jatoba is one of the most popular exotic hardwoods.  It comes from Mexico, Central America, and other South American countries, as well as Brazil.  The reddish brown color eventually develops a rich, golden luster.  And the dense, interlocking grain makes it very stable.  Almost twice as hard as red oak, Jatoba is one of the most scratch-resistant hardwoods.

Mahogany.  Grown from Mexico to Argentina, mahogany features a fine, even texture, a dark, reddish-brown color, and an interlocking grain.  Santos mahogany is extremely hard, and it creates a sophisticated, rich looking floor.

Teak.  This Indonesian hardwood has a beautiful golden hue that’s rich and warm.  It’s not as hard as other species, but it is very resistant to termites, fungus, and decay.  The wavy grain is fairly coarse and the texture is rough.  Since much of the old-growth teak has already been harvested, teak is more expensive than it used to be.

Tigerwood.  Grown mostly in South America, tigerwood features a distinctive, wavy grain that resembles the stripes of a tiger.  The reddish-orange color makes a real statement.  And tigerwood is extremely hard.  It’s also very resistant to beetles and other pests.

Merbau.  Native to the Philippines and Indonesia, Merbau darkens to a beautiful, rich brown. The grain can be straight, wavy, or interlocked.  Yellow flecks in the pores make Merbau look like it’s been dusted with gold.  It’s very stable, and resistant to termites and other pests.

Wenge.  This African wood has become more popular in the last few years.  Aged wenge is nearly black, and it can be used to very dramatic effect.  Extremely hard, it’s ideal for high traffic areas, but it does show dust, lint, and blonde pet hair.

Sapele.  Lustrous and finely textured, Sapele has an interlocking, wavy grain.  Most of it comes from Africa, and it wears well once installed.  But loose boards can warp if not stored correctly.

Zebrawood.  If you want a truly unique wood floor, zebrawood has dramatic stripes that are enhanced by quarter sawing.  Color ranges from straw to brown with stripes that are nearly black.  Zebrawood is hard, lustrous, and termite resistant.