I went to a local Floor/Carpet retailer and he said he has some Malaysian cherry for sale and that they are good quality. I have heard of Brazilian Cherry and thats what i wanted but he said the Malaysian cherry are very good also. Is he just trying to get rid of the Malaysian Cherry or are they really of good quality? I have never heard of Malaysian Cherry. He said he will charge me only $3200 for a 560sq ft, that includes labor and all parts. What do you all think?

btw. he said its prefinished and not laminate
THanks

anyone?

I have never heard of it .

Is it Asian Cherry made in Malaysia? There is also an Indonesian Cherry.

I have never heard of it either, when i saw the comparison, its a little ligher than brazilian cherry, but he says there is a 15years warranty with it. Does it matter much if its a malaysian cherry or brazillian? I dont konw much about hardwood i just need some for my condo. about 550sq ft living/dinning room.

What the heck does a fifteen year warranty cover? Are you basing you desicion on the warranties implied?

I am not basing it on warranty, my MAIN question is, Is Malaysian Cherry anygood, what do i look for when i get hardwood floor?

Thanks

Reading this article should help to explain all the botanical names that get tossed around http://www.hardwood.org/display_article.asp?ID=310

Jerry, Thanks for the link. It was actually a very interesting article. So if the wood is not actually what it is, does that mean it wont last as long or shouldn't get it? What would be the benefit of buying a real "Brazillian Cherry" vs a "pseudo" Brazillian Cherry?

Thanks

If you wish to learn more about different wood species, here are a few helpful sites:
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/
http://www.wflooring.com/Technical_Info ... sheets.htm

BTW, I think the point the article and Jerry were making is that exotic wood species are called names that us Americans can relate to. It's for marketing. Those same woods are called something else in their native countries. There isn't a true brazilian cherry and a psuedo brazilian cherry. There's only one but it has many names depending on where you are. IMO, the only place to buy exotic wood flooring should be reputable dealers with extensive knowledge about the flooring they are selling. And if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Did you read on this forum about the couple from Canada who purchased Chilean Cherry at an auction? Talk about a nightmare!
http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwo ... php?t=2187

Gary, thanks for the links, they are very interesting reading materials. Does it really make a difference between the wood and the species? From what i understand, it doesnt matter what the wood is called, its all the same? meaning if its Brazillian Cherry from here or imported? Is the quality from one different from another? I talked to the owner at the store and he said the malaysian cherry is equivilent to the brazillian cherry. Does it make a difference in quality? Thats my main concern.

Thanks

ttt

IMO, it does matter. Any dealer selling wood should be able to tell you what the species of the wood really is (and it's botanical name). All these names, Chilean Cherry, Malaysian Cherry, Brazilian Cherry, may very well be different wood species with different properties. Now if a flooring company (mill) is making a floor out of jatoba (brazilian cherry) and calling it Malaysian Cherry just because the mill is located in Malaysia, I'd say that is sort of deceptive. Call the wood what it is. You have a right to know what it is you are buying. If the store owner is saying his Malaysian Cherry is a different wood species but that it is comparable to Brazilian Cherry, he may be telling the truth. Since he is not identifying the wood species or the botanical name, there is no way for you to really know what it is you are buying. Is it jatoba or something else? Get the name of the species and perhaps we can find the properties of that species (hardness, stability, photo-sensativity, etc.). IMO, it does matter as you trusting the owner of the store (blind faith) that he is telling you the truth that it's the equivilent.

I did a google using this exact phrase, "Malaysian Cherry" floor* , nothing but useless google ads.

That tells me that it is the same old shell game. One manufacturer touts Tigerwood (Goncalo Alves ) as Brazilian Koa. Same thing with Brazilian Cherry "lite" which is actually Tauari (Brazilian Oak). Buyer beware, and buy from a company who does not try to make everything so sexy, like this place .

You could ask the salesman what the Janka is on his Malaysian Cherry product.