How to Take Care of Purpleheart Wood

Purpleheart wood originates in the rain forests of Brazil. The trees range from 150 to 300 years in age and can achieve a mature height of 25 to 30 feet with a trunk from 2 to 4 feet in diameter. Because of its unusual coloring and its durability, it is often used in residential flooring where there is heavy foot traffic. Its purple color can provide warmth and be a center of conversation for years to come. Although its purple hue will fade over time to a rich brown, there are finishes you can apply to preserve its purple coloring.

Clear oil
Lacquer-based finish
Sealer with UV inhibitor
Brush or floor applicator

Instructions

- 1
  Tighten any screws that were used in the installation process. Check for wood burns from the cutting machine. Because the wood has to be run through any cutting device slowly, burns can occur when proper care is not taken. Replace any boards that have wood burns, since they are virtually impossible to remove.
- 2
  Use a clear oil finish to bring out the purple color and add longevity to the floor. Apply with a brush at the edges and use an applicator for the center of the floor.
- 3
  Use a lacquer-based finish to preserve the purple color. Don't use an alcohol-based finish unless you want the floor to immediately turn to the warm brown color. Apply with a brush or applicator, following the manufacturer's recommendations.
- 4
  Finish the floor by adding a sealer with a UV inhibitor. This will preserve the purple coloring for up to ten years.
- 5
  Close the curtains in the room during periods of strong sunlight to slow the fading of the color. Rearrange area rugs occasionally to even out the fading. Maintain normal humidity (40 to 60 percent) to reduce expansion and contraction of the floor.

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