So I'm building a new home on a slab in florida. I'm going for a traditional look engineered hardwood. I had planned to use an oak by Bruce, but now I'm thinking a Brazilian cherry might be a better product for the money, in terms of appearance, hardness, and it has a thicker wear layer.

My contractor has expressed concerns about the stairs, claiming they will have to charge more for Brazilian cherry (jatoba) treads on the stairs, that they did ipe wood on a house and had to redo the stairs due to cracking or splitting I think, and that if I used oak or maple treads and stained to match the cherry, it wouldn't match well.

What should I do? I think the cherry floors would be nicer. Should I be concerned about issues with Brazilian cherry stair treads? If so could I stain oak or maple and get a reasonable match in appearance to the floors? Thanks.

Why not solid brazilian cherry? One of the best options out there. When somebody wants an exotic, it is the first thing we recommend. I am not convinced that a 3mm layer on top of plywood maintains its rigidity/ hardness, especially compared to a solid.

We live right on the gulf, and never have had any problems installing solid BC floors or stairs. The only problem is that the stair treads are rough on our saw blades, and if we mess up it is costly for us.

Wouldn't solid require a subfloor, and even if not wouldn't it cost a lot more?

We supply install sand and finish solid BC and all the sub floor and vapor barriers for about $12.50 to $14/ sf depending on what the price for the wood is and what width you want. From what I have seen for prefinished engineered you are looking at 10-11 (sometimes more) after alls said and done. So yes it is a bit more, but you get a much better floor that will last generations as opposed to years.

No question that's the right way to do it. But it would really exceed my budget and it's doubtful I'd get in back on resale( I'm afraid it would be overbuilding the market so to speak)

But to answer your question. If you want BC floors you really want BC stairs too. You will never be 100% happy with something else stained to match.