What Is a Kempas Wood Floor?

Color

• Kempas is a red-toned wood that can have hints of orange or yellow to it. It is darker than beech but lighter than Brazilian Cherry. The grain of the wood is very intricate, and it is not unusual to see spiraling patters on the planks. Like many other red-toned woods, Kempas is very sensitive to sunlight and will darken over the years after exposure to prolonged sunlight through windows.

Durability

• If you are looking for a durable floor, Kempas is one of the best exotic materials you can find. Kempas is harder than maple and oak and is only 20 percent weaker than Santos mahogany (the hardest wood available for use with flooring). Kempas is very scratch-resistant as well and will stand up to heavy traffic, including that from pets. Kempas is also naturally resistant to water damage.

Availability

• Because Kempas is classified as an "exotic" hardwood, its availability is spotty. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that Kempas is only grown in Malaysia and Indonesia. Only a few manufacturing companies import Kempas, so finding a local distributor for this material may be difficult. However, you can purchase Kempas through an online retailer and use a local contractor to install it as Kempas does not have any specific installation requirements different from regular hardwood.

Price

• Kempas wood generally costs $4 to $12 per square foot when you buy individual boxes. If you buy in bulk (by the pallet), the cost is cut dramatically. Because Kempas stock supplies change rapidly, Kempas price inflation will occur according to current stock availability. If you see that Kempas is currently out of your price range, wait several months and check again.