Wenge: A Classic, Chic Look for Manhattan Penthouse
"This is one of the most expensive penthouses in Manhattan for a very exclusive client," Creekmore says. "It's a beautiful project with the big, dark floor styling that you would expect with this clientele." He says the client had seen wenge in other locations and insisted on it for this project. The wood was milled into different lengths and widths of up to 10 inches from planks that were up to 20 inches wide.
The Janka hardness rating for wenge is 1630 (as comparison, red oak has a rating of 1290). This indicates the wood's prime suitability for use as flooring given its higher natural resistance to wear and abrasion, says Creekmore. However, the primary reason for choosing wenge for the Manhattan project is its inherent beauty and color range.
"Wenge gives a classic, chic look. It is exclusive and extremely strong. Other woods can be stained to emulate the look of this exotic hardwood, but it's just not the same," adds Creekmore.
AROMATIC ACCESSORY
If you guessed that a humidor has something to do with humidity, give that man a cigar from the man cave humidor, where a precious bounty of hand-rolled cigars sits snugly in perfect comfort at 68 to 72 percent relative humidity. Humidors can be small enough to hold and preserve a dozen of your favorite cigars or large enough to be called a room-idor. The outer shell of this beauty is made from bocote (Cordia spp.). Inside you're likely to find Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), which holds moisture better than most woods and imparts a sumptuous aroma to cigars as they age.
Frequently asked questions
What wood species was used for the Manhattan penthouse flooring?+
Wenge was used for the flooring. The client had seen wenge in other locations and specifically insisted on it for this project.
What is the Janka hardness rating of wenge?+
Wenge has a Janka hardness rating of 1630, compared to red oak at 1290. This higher rating indicates wenge's natural resistance to wear and abrasion, making it well-suited for flooring.
What sizes of wenge planks were used in the penthouse project?+
The wood was milled into different lengths and widths of up to 10 inches, from original planks that were up to 20 inches wide.
Why choose wenge over stained alternatives for high-end flooring?+
Wenge offers a classic, chic look and is exclusive and extremely strong. While other woods can be stained to emulate the appearance of wenge, the result is not the same as using the genuine exotic hardwood.
What woods are used to construct a quality humidor?+
The outer shell is commonly made from bocote (Cordia spp.), while the interior is typically lined with Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata). Spanish cedar holds moisture better than most woods and imparts a sumptuous aroma to aging cigars.
What relative humidity level should a humidor maintain for cigars?+
A humidor should maintain a relative humidity of 68 to 72 percent to keep hand-rolled cigars in perfect condition.