Exotic Hardwood Floors for Alpine and Saddle River Homes
Updated: 1 day ago
Posted October 31, 2026
Our exotic and specialty species range runs from African wenge and padouk to South American cabreuva, in 3/4" plank and herringbone.
Call (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation to review samples and specifications for your project.
Large houses in Alpine, Saddle River and Englewood Cliffs often have rooms that can carry a floor with real presence. Our exotic species range offers color and grain you will not find in oak, in both plank and herringbone.
Here is what each species brings and how to use them in a large house.
Dark Woods: Wenge and Santos Morado
African Wenge (Millettia laurentii) is Superior Selection in 3/4" thickness, offered in straight plank from 3 1/2" to 8" wide and in herringbone at 3 1/2". It gives a near-black floor that suits a modern great room with pale walls.
Palisander Santos Morado (Machaerium scleroxylon) comes from South America, in plank widths from 3 1/2" to 5 3/8". Both can be supplied unfinished or prefinished with Oil-UV lacquer or natural oil, so the depth of color can be tuned to the room.
Red and Warm Tones: Padouk and Cabreuva
African Red Padouk (Pterocarpus soyauxii) is offered in 5 1/2" and 7 1/8" plank and in 4" herringbone with 1'3" lengths. It makes a striking accent in a wine room, study or bar area, where a bold color is part of the experience of the room.
Incense Cabreuva (Myrocarpus frondosus) from South America comes in 5 1/2" plank and 3 3/8" herringbone. Its warm tone works across larger areas, such as a formal living room, where a red floor might feel too strong. Both are Superior Selection in 3/4" thickness.
Pattern and Figure: Zebrano and Ovangkol
African Zebrano (Microberlinia brazzavillensis) has a strongly striped grain, offered in plank widths from 3 1/2" to 7 1/8". It is best used where it can be seen and enjoyed, such as a gallery hall or a home office, rather than under large rugs.
African Rosewood Ovangkol (Guibourtia arnoldiana ehie) comes in widths from 4 3/8" to 7 1/2". It is a calmer figured wood that pairs well with walnut furniture and leather. Both are Superior Selection with random lengths into the 6' range.
Want exotic species samples for your project? Call (908) 232-6600 or book a virtual consultation.
Golden Tones: Iroko and Afrormosia
African Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa) is offered in 5 1/2" to 7 1/8" plank and in 3 1/2" herringbone, with Italian, French and Hungarian lengths. Its golden color sits comfortably in a traditional house as well as a modern one.
African Afrormosia (Pericopsis elata) comes in widths from 3 1/2" to 7 1/8". It is a good choice for owners who want something warmer than oak without moving into dark or red tones. Our high-end floors page shows more of the range.
Using Exotic Species in a Large House
In a large house, an exotic species usually works best in defined rooms rather than everywhere. A wenge library, an iroko herringbone dining room or a padouk bar can each be a destination, with a quieter European oak connecting them.
Every species here can be supplied unfinished or prefinished with Oil-UV lacquer or natural oil. Because color varies so much between these woods, samples viewed in your own rooms are essential. A virtual consultation is the fastest way to narrow the list.
Quick Answers
Which exotic species do you offer?
Wenge, padouk, zebrano, ovangkol, iroko, afrormosia, cabreuva and Santos morado, among others.
Are exotic floors available in herringbone?
Several are, including wenge, padouk, iroko and cabreuva.
What thickness are these floors?
Straight plank and herringbone are 3/4" thick.
Can exotic species be prefinished?
Yes. They can be supplied unfinished or prefinished with Oil-UV lacquer or natural oil.
Plan Your Floor
Designing a house in Alpine, Saddle River or Englewood Cliffs? We can send exotic species samples and help plan where each one works in your floor plan.
Call (908) 232-6600, email joe@hugginsflooring.com, or book a virtual consultation. Browse our collections: Herringbone, Chevron, Wide Plank, Parquet.
About The Author
Joe Avila has worked in wood flooring for 26 years. He is NWFA certified (CSI, CI, CWFI, CFS) and teaches NWFA continuing-education courses for architects, designers and flooring professionals. Luxury Wood NYC, a Huggins Wood Floor Specialist brand.
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