How much does Brazilian Cherry flooring darken?

Brazilian Cherry undergoes dramatic color change, darkening from salmon-orange to deep reddish-brown within months of installation. Areas under rugs or furniture remain lighter, creating noticeable contrast.

Is hickory harder than Brazilian Cherry?

No, Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) is harder at 2,350 Janka versus hickory's 1,820 Janka. However, hickory is the hardest commonly available domestic hardwood flooring.

Is Brazilian Cherry flooring sustainable?

It depends on sourcing. Look for FSC-certified Brazilian Cherry to ensure responsible harvesting. Some sources involve unsustainable logging practices, making certification verification important.

Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) vs Hickory wood grain comparison

flooring

Brazilian Cherry vs Hickory Flooring: Exotic vs Domestic (2026)

Prepared by Lumberama's Wood Comparison Team

|Last updated June 1, 2026|Sources & methodology

Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) and hickory are both premium hard flooring options that outperform standard domestic hardwoods. Brazilian Cherry brings exotic beauty and exceptional hardness, while hickory offers the toughest domestic hardwood floor available. This comparison helps you choose between imported luxury and domestic toughness.

Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba)

Hickory

Key Takeaways

Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) and hickory are both premium hard flooring options that outperform standard domestic hardwoods.
Brazilian Cherry brings exotic beauty and exceptional hardness, while hickory offers the toughest domestic hardwood floor available.
This comparison helps you choose between imported luxury and domestic toughness.
Hickory offers 90% of Brazilian Cherry's hardness performance at 60% of the cost with better domestic availability and sustainability.
Brazilian Cherry is the premium choice for exotic beauty, but hickory is the smarter practical investment.

Property	Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba)	Hickory
Price/Sq Ft	$6-$12	$4-$8
Janka Hardness	2,350 lbf	1,820 lbf
Color	Salmon-orange to deep red	Light tan to dark brown
Color Change	Significant - darkens dramatically	Minimal
Grain	Interlocked, dramatic	Bold, varied
Availability	Specialty - imported	Good - domestic
Sustainability	Variable - check sourcing	Excellent - domestic managed forests

Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba)

Pros

Extremely hard flooring surface, Exotic beauty and rich color, Superior scratch resistance, Impressive conversation piece

Cons

Expensive and imported, Color changes dramatically in sunlight, Sustainability concerns, Harder to source and match

Hickory

Pros

Hardest domestic species available, More affordable, Sustainably sourced domestically, Stable color over time

Cons

Less exotic appearance, Wide color variation between boards, Bold grain limits design flexibility, Can be rustic for formal spaces

Best Use Cases

Choose Brazilian Cherry for an exotic, dramatically beautiful floor with maximum hardness where budget allows. Choose hickory for the toughest domestic floor at a more accessible price with reliable supply.

Verdict

Hickory offers 90% of Brazilian Cherry's hardness performance at 60% of the cost with better domestic availability and sustainability. Brazilian Cherry is the premium choice for exotic beauty, but hickory is the smarter practical investment.