What is Acacia?

Acacia is a beautiful hardwood which is increasingly popular due to its durability and spectacular patterning. It grows primarily in Australia and Southeast Asia, but there has been a push in many regions of Africa to cultivate a specific variation of this tree in order to reverse the devastating effects of deforestation in the desert regions. You won’t find that kind of acacia in hardwood flooring, but this is just one more reason to love this hardwood.

Pros: The rating scale for hardwoods is the Janka scale on which acacia wood scores higher than either hard maple or oak; both well-known for their durability. Not only is this species naturally scratch resistant, it’s also resistant to molds, mildews, and fungi which makes it perfect for homeowners with allergies, kids, and pets. Acacia trees grow very quickly, their harvesting is strictly controlled in the regions we import from, and its processing is more environmentally friendly than many other hardwood species which makes it a sustainable choice. It’s one of the more beautifully patterned and coloured wood species on the market. The colours will range from deep browns to light creams, and it has a unique flowing pattern that works very well in a modern setting. Treated well this hardwood will last you a hundred years or more. 

Cons: Acacia is not native to the US which means it’ll cost more than a maple or a pine. We sell our material at wholesale, but you’ll still want to adjust your budget up significantly from either a laminate or vinyl option. Acacia trees don’t grow as tall as many other flooring options do which means the planks will be much shorter, and there may be knots or other visual blemishes within the wood itself. Some people prefer a simpler colour and texture to their flooring, and this would not be the choice for them. While the majority of your hardwood will be the selected colour, this is a variant enough wood that you’ll find many other shades within each plank and each piece will be individual. 

As with any hardwood it’s essential that the flooring be allowed to sit in the home it’ll be installed in for 2 weeks or so to allow it to reach the level of humidity and temperature it’ll be installed at. It’ll then be important to keep your house’s temperature from fluctuating too much as that will cause expansion and contraction of the planks which can result in buckling or warping. To clean your hardwood all you’ll have to do is sweep it regularly, mop with a damp mop, and clean up any spills as they happen.