Amendoim
Pterogyne nitens
Amendoim is a beautiful South American hardwood prized for its warm golden-brown color and exceptional hardness. Its name means "peanut" in Portuguese, referring to the tree's pod-like fruit. This dense, durable wood features attractive grain patterns with occasional darker streaking, making it ideal for high-traffic flooring, decking, and furniture. Amendoim offers an excellent balance of beauty, durability, and affordability among exotic hardwoods.
Janka Hardness
1912 lbf
Very hard
Density
55 lbs/ft³
Very dense
Shrinkage
Moderate (8.8% tangential, 5.0% radial)
Good stability
Appearance
Color: Light to medium golden brown with reddish or yellowish tones. Often features darker brown to reddish streaks. Color deepens slightly with age.
Grain: Interlocked to wavy grain with medium to coarse texture. Attractive figure with occasional darker streaking.
Key Characteristics
- •Very hard and durable
- •Beautiful warm golden color
- •Good dimensional stability
- •Natural resistance to decay
- •Attractive grain patterns
- •Excellent wear resistance
Common Applications
Maintenance
For flooring, periodic cleaning and occasional refinishing maintain appearance. Outdoor applications benefit from annual oiling or sealing to preserve color.
Advantages
- +Excellent hardness for high-traffic areas
- +Beautiful warm coloration
- +Good value among exotic hardwoods
- +Stable with moderate shrinkage
- +Good natural durability
- +Works well with hand and power tools
Considerations
- •Interlocked grain can cause tearout
- •Pre-drilling recommended for fasteners
- •Color can vary between boards
- •May darken slightly with UV exposure
- •Dust may cause skin irritation in some people
- •Requires sharp tools for best results