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Patagonian Rosewood (Curupay)
Grades & Properties of Wood Flooring —
Exotic Species
Scientific Name:
Anadenanthera colubrina
Other Common Names and Related Species:
- Angico Preto
- Curupau
- Curupay
- Kurupay
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Origin:
Patagonian Rosewood (or Curupay) is distributed throughout Bolivia and Paraguay.
Janka Hardness: 3840
Patagonian Rosewood is harder than Brazilian Walnut, near the top of the scale. This is a different species of wood from Bolivian Rosewood, or Morado (Machaerium scleroxylon).
Grades of Patagonian Rosewood Flooring:
Clear grade Patagonian Rosewood flooring is color-sorted for a rich pink, tan, and yellow color with brown and black streaks. Clear is usually the only grade available, but some Select grade may appear. It is graded differently from most other species for color variation. Patagonian Rosewood has a similar appearance to Brazilian Cherry but has more dark color variations.
Patagonian Rosewood Flooring Dimension Specifications:
All Patagonian Rosewood flooring is milled in South America because it is more cost-effective to ship finished material than raw lumber. Lengths of the Patagonian Rosewood flooring bundles are 7 feet so they can easily fit into 8-foot-wide steel shipping containers. All pre-milled products are tongue-&-groove and end-matched (tongue-&-grooved on the ends of the boards). Moisture content ranges from 6% to 8% for quick acclimation. The average length of the flooring pieces is usually about 3 feet and ranges from 1 to 7 feet. Almost all imported flooring that is found is in 7-foot bundles, with widths available from 2¼″ to 5″. Typically, if a long or wide plank floor is desired, raw lumber must be obtained and the flooring must be milled here in the United States. Typically, the lengths can develop up to 12 feet. However, the cost can be double that of the pre-milled stock because of waste and labor costs in the United States. Also, raw lumber is relatively expensive because it is taxed more heavily than finished products to support local economies in South America. Patagonian Rosewood lumber is relatively rare.
Flooring Availability:
Patagonian Rosewood is available in solid unfinished and prefinished form for nail-down applications on wood and in engineered form with a veneer top layer for application on concrete. Patagonian Rosewood is uncommon in comparison with many Brazilian species such as Brazilian Cherry. There is a large amount of Patagonian Rosewood in South America, and it is not endangered. However, less logging, stricter regulations, and a slower American economy have slightly limited commodities and caused slightly higher prices of this product in this country.
Finished Floor Appearance:
A Clear grade floor will have busy mottled appearance. Patagonian Rosewood’s color darkens drastically with sunlight, as do many other species from South America. Oil-based finishes allow Patagonian Rosewood to age to a deep brown color, unless lacquer or de-waxed shellac is first applied to help preserve the pink color of the wood. Water-based finishes will preserve the natural color longer.
Flooring Durability and Stability:
Patagonian Rosewood flooring is extremely durable and resists denting and traffic wear quite well. It is harder than many North American species because of its density and is relatively stable. Patagonian Rosewood flooring is very heavy, weighing 3.5 pounds per square foot.
Workability of Patagonian Rosewood Flooring:
Extremely hard and tough, Curupay works with some difficulty with both hand and power tools. When installing Patagonian Rosewood flooring, it is best to use a manual nailer, but staples and pneumatic nailers can be used with care. It holds screws well, and it glues, stains, and polishes to a very attractive finish. It can be somewhat difficult to sand with flooring equipment because of its hardness. Professional sanding and finishing is recommended. This wood is very resistant to decay and insects; these resistant properties may contribute to a possible allergic response to the dust. To avoid a possible allergic reaction to the material, wear a dust mask and long-sleeve shirt when working with Patagonian Rosewood.
Principal Uses of Patagonian Rosewood Flooring:
Curupay flooring is used in medium- and high-end residential and commercial applications for a dramatically elegant floor. It works well in rustic camps as well as in contemporary structures.
